Third Committee, 20th plenary meeting - General Assembly, 81st session
Promotion and protection of human rights, Implementation of human rights instruments, Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives - Item 70, 70 (a), 70 (b), 70 (c), 70 (d) - A/81/225, A/81/167, A/81/373
Agenda items · 581st session
Item 70
Promotion and protection of human rights
Item 70(a)
Implementation of human rights instruments
Item 70(b)
Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms
Source: United Nations (un.org, igov.un.org)
Speaking timeChair (10.5%) · European Union (3.1%) · Russian Federation (2.6%) + 44 more · Unattributed (29.2%)
Third Committee, 20th meeting of the 81st session. Agenda item taken up: “Promotion and protection of human rights, Implementation of human rights instruments, Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, Human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives - Item 70, 70 (a), 70 (b), 70 (c), 70 (d) - A/81/225, A/81/167, A/81/373”. 41 speakers were heard, representing 40 delegations.
Partly attributed: 39% of speech unattributed. Attributed to a named speaker 51% · unattributed 39% · Chair 11%.
Points of disagreement
Belarus rejected assertions that people were held in prisons in Belarus without medical attention, calling this a lie, and stated that Belarus provides free medical care to all who require it, including those in detention.
Key points
Norway, on behalf of Nordic and Baltic states, expressed concern over the reported deterioration in the environment of defending human rights, citing criminalization, restrictive laws, surveillance, digital attacks, disinformation, reprisals, violence and reduced funding, and that exile no longer necessarily provides safety because of transnational repression.
Italy stated that combating trafficking in persons and ensuring comprehensive support to victims remain long standing priorities for Italy, and that early identification and effective protection are essential to breaking cycles of exploitation.
Namibia, on behalf of African group, stated that any assessment of cultural rights measuring only what a state does inside its borders, and saying nothing of objects, archives and remains held outside them, would measure Africa against a standard it was never allowed to meet.
Statement by statement · 41 speakers
🇵🇱 Poland
Poland expressed concern that the global environment for defending human rights and exercising the right to defend human rights was becoming increasingly hostile and restrictive, with authoritarian governments using restrictive legislation, fabricated criminal charges, digital surveillance, transnational repression and public smear campaigns.
Poland asked the Special Rapporteur what the best solutions were to support and protect human rights defenders operating in conflict and authoritarian settings.
🇨🇦 Canada
Canada welcomed the Special Rapporteur to the new role and said Canada shared the concern that the global environment for human rights defenders was increasingly challenging, reaffirming its commitment as a steadfast partner.
Canada stated that Canada supported the Lighthouse Global Protection Fund, which had supported more than 300 emergency protection measures across 70 countries, and multi-donor initiatives on digital threats, including the Common Good Cyber Fund announced jointly with the United Kingdom.
🇱🇮 Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein asked what member states can do to better protect human rights defenders online, citing the recurring concern about their online harassment, particularly of women, and how family members and their networks, who often face consequences themselves, can also be supported.
Liechtenstein expressed concern about the emergence of large scale online scam centers exploiting trafficked persons, and stressed the importance it attaches to a follow the money approach, including support for the FAST initiative hosted by UNDP.
🇨🇿 Czechia
Czechia expressed concern over the chapter on global trends, which it said describes a significant deterioration of the situation of human rights defenders worldwide, including misuse of laws and direct violations such as arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, surveillance and disinformation campaigns.
Czechia welcomed the Special Rapporteur's intention to focus on mental health and psychosocial well being of human rights defenders.
🇸🇮 Slovenia
Slovenia expressed concern that many human rights defenders, including women, youth, indigenous defenders, and defenders with disabilities, were exposed to distinct forms of violence, often exacerbated by compounded forms of discrimination.
Slovenia asked how states can ensure that protection mechanisms effectively respond to the vulnerabilities of human rights defenders that require tailored responses.
🇲🇦 Morocco
Morocco stated that Morocco shares the report's conclusions and that human rights defenders play a vital role in every democratic society, and that Morocco aligns its legislation and public policies with international standards to give human rights defenders full legal certainty.
Morocco noted that Morocco has enshrined cultural rights in its constitution, recognized different languages, set up a National Council for Moroccan culture, and presented this progress humbly as a work in progress.
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Switzerland reaffirmed the essential role played by human rights defenders around the world, saying their work is more indispensable than ever as achievements in human rights are increasingly challenged.
Switzerland welcomed the priorities identified by the Special Rapporteur and her comprehensive, cross-cutting approach, and asked about her priorities for cooperation with regional human rights mechanisms and how she intends to promote coherent and complementary approaches.
🇩🇪 Germany
Germany expressed concern about the large and rising numbers of cases in which human rights defenders are persecuted and silenced, and noted that defenders face mounting pressure through restrictive legal frameworks, new digital technologies and violence.
Germany called for the Russian Federation to immediately release Daria Egereva and Natalia Leongard, and China to immediately release Cho Hang Tung.
🇮🇪 Ireland
Ireland stated that protecting the rights of human rights defenders and civil society space remained a central and consistent priority for Ireland, and shared the Special Rapporteur's concern about worsening conditions for defenders globally.
Ireland asked what practical steps the international community could take to facilitate the safe, effective and meaningful participation of human rights defenders at the United Nations.
🇵🇰 Pakistan
Pakistan stated that the peaceful activities of human rights defenders must be protected in accordance with international human rights obligations and the Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, and that these concerns acquire particular urgency in situations of foreign occupation.
Pakistan stressed that effective implementation of the mandate requires impartiality, objectivity and non selectivity, with constructive dialogue with states and credible and verified information.
🇲🇲 Myanmar
Myanmar stated that since what it called the illegal coup in 2021, the military had systematically decimated civic space, perpetrators continued to operate with impunity, and human rights defenders endured arbitrary arrest, torture, prolonged detention, threats, extrajudicial killing and unfair trial.
Myanmar noted that digital tools were being abused to monitor, track and intimidate civil society, and that women activists and human rights defenders were particularly targeted by gender-based humiliation and coordinated online abuse.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
United Kingdom unequivocally condemned acts of reprisals against human rights defenders, stating that the report shows these threats are global and increasingly coordinated, which calls for a global and coordinated response.
United Kingdom asked what more states can do to collectively combat instances of transnational repression of human rights defenders.
🇳🇱 Kingdom of the Netherlands · on behalf of Benelux countries, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Kingdom of the Netherlands, on behalf of Benelux countries, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, stressed the importance of an enabling legal and policy environment, both online and offline, and that States should ensure that legislation and administrative measures facilitate rather than restrict the legitimate work of human rights defenders.
Kingdom of the Netherlands, on behalf of Benelux countries, Belgium, Luxembourg, and the Kingdom of the Netherlands, expressed concern about the growing use of transnational repression against human rights defenders, and urged all states to protect civic space so defenders can work safely and freely without intimidation, discrimination, or criminalization.
🇧🇷 Brazil
Brazil reiterated full support for the Special Rapporteur's mandate and said the state must ensure protection of human rights defenders, enabling them to work free from intimidation, violence and interference.
Brazil asked how the Special Rapporteur planned to share best practices on implementing successful national protection plans for human rights defenders, and how states can ensure cooperation from major technology companies amid growing resistance to binding regulatory obligations.
🇪🇸 Spain
Spain expressed concern about restrictive laws affecting civil society and clamping down on peaceful protest, the criminalization of those defending human dignity and the environment, and transnational measures taken by authoritarian governments against human rights defenders.
Spain expressed concern that poverty, inequality, discrimination, social exclusion and armed conflicts continue to fuel situations of vulnerability that lead to abusive practices, and called for strengthening a human rights-based approach focused on victim protection and prevention.
🇳🇴 Norway · on behalf of Nordic and Baltic states
Norway, on behalf of Nordic and Baltic states, expressed concern over the reported deterioration in the environment of defending human rights, citing criminalization, restrictive laws, surveillance, digital attacks, disinformation, reprisals, violence and reduced funding, and that exile no longer necessarily provides safety because of transnational repression.
Norway, on behalf of Nordic and Baltic states, urged all states to publicly recognize the legitimate role of human rights defenders and to create a safe and enabling environment, including by reviewing restrictive laws, investigating attacks and reprisals, ensuring participation and sustainable funding, and providing holistic protection.
🇦🇫 Afghanistan
Afghanistan stated that Taliban target human rights defenders, particularly women, through arbitrary detention, forced disappearances, torture and reprisals against families, and that women protesters and defenders reported sexual harassment, threats of sexual violence and sexual abuse in Taliban custody.
Afghanistan called for independent investigation, survivor protection and accountability, and urged Member States to provide emergency protection, asylum and safe relocation pathways, uphold non refoulement, and ensure legal assistance and confidential psychological care.
Afghanistan condemned what it called Taliban's discriminatory policies and cultural repression, including bans on music and on women's singing, exclusion of women and girls from secondary and higher education, and expansion of jihadi madrasas.
🇧🇾 Belarus
Belarus rejected assertions that people were held in prisons in Belarus without medical attention, calling this a lie, and stated that Belarus provides free medical care to all who require it, including those in detention.
Belarus expressed concern that the report did not reflect well-known cases in which information on human trafficking criminal groups was, in its words, deliberately ignored by another state's law enforcement authorities due to political considerations.
🇷🇴 Romania
Romania reiterated its commitment to preventing and combating trafficking in persons, protecting and assisting victims, ensuring access to justice and holding perpetrators accountable, with a response built on four pillars: prevention, protection, prosecution and partnership.
Romania stated that Romania was developing a national mechanism to identify children at risks and enable timely intervention, and had supported the first national network of trafficking survivors to guide awareness-raising efforts and more victim-centered policies.
🇦🇺 Australia
Australia welcomed the Special Rapporteur's report and its focus on the role of businesses and on upholding the non-punishment principle, and stated that Australia is proposing to introduce new laws to enhance corporate accountability for preventing modern slavery in supply chains.
🇮🇹 Italy · on behalf of Group of Friends for Culture
Italy stated that combating trafficking in persons and ensuring comprehensive support to victims remain long standing priorities for Italy, and that early identification and effective protection are essential to breaking cycles of exploitation.
Italy noted that since 2000 its national anti-trafficking system has provided victims with safe accommodation, legal, medical, and psychological assistance, supported through a nationwide network funded by the Department for Equal Opportunities.
Italy said that the National Action Plan Against Trafficking in Human Beings and Serious Exploitation for 26 28, on the verge of being adopted, will set out priorities and coordinated measures to strengthen prevention, victim protection, and assistance.
🇵🇦 Panama
Panama expressed concern that, despite the efforts undertaken, criminal networks continue to find new ways to recruit and exploit victims, including through social media and other technological platforms that are difficult to monitor.
Panama asked the Special Rapporteur what more states can do to prevent trafficking in persons, given new forms of recruitment, and how victims can be ensured the protection and support they need.
🇧🇩 Bangladesh
Bangladesh highlighted two major concerns: poverty, inequality, conflict, climate change, displacement and restrictive migration exposing vulnerable people, particularly women and children, to trafficking and exploitation; and serious misuse of emerging digital technologies and social media by trafficking networks, including fraudulent recruitment and forced labor in online scam operations.
Bangladesh stated Bangladesh maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards human trafficking, had recently enacted the Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Prevention and Suppression Act 2026, and had adopted the National Plan of Action 2026 to 2030.
🇧🇪 Belgium · on behalf of Benelux countries, a longstanding regional partnership
Belgium, on behalf of Benelux countries, a longstanding regional partnership, expressed concern that millions of people continue to be subjected to forced labor, human trafficking, forced marriage, and other forms of exploitation.
🇨🇺 Cuba
Cuba stated that Cuba has a zero tolerance policy towards trafficking in persons and is undertaking efforts despite limitations imposed by what it called a fuel and energy blockade.
Cuba welcomed the Special Rapporteur and her report, reiterated support for her mandate, and said access to culture is a collective right reflected in Cuba's constitution.
🇨🇲 Cameroon
Cameroon underscored that fighting contemporary forms of slavery requires a strict focus on an immediate human security crisis, including strengthening border security and judicial sharing networks to intercept the syndicate in real time.
Cameroon expressed concern about the resources available to assist survivors, citing a $4 million deficit in the trust fund that limits access to medical, legal and psychological services, and asked the Special Rapporteur how she intends to mobilize bilateral and multilateral partners to bridge the gaps.
🇲🇹 Malta
Malta stated that in August 2024 it launched its National Strategy and Action Plan on Combating Trafficking in Human Beings, built on four pillars: prevention of crime, protection of victims, prosecution of offenders and robust multi-level collaboration.
🇳🇬 Nigeria
Nigeria expressed concern about persistent vulnerabilities stemming from poverty, unemployment, conflict, displacement, and unequal access to decent work, which expose individuals, especially women and children, to exploitation.
Nigeria asked the Special Rapporteur, in light of the implementation gaps identified in the report, what practical measures she would recommend to help developing countries strengthen their national anti-trafficking institutions and victim support systems.
🇧🇭 Bahrain · on behalf of member states of the GCC
Bahrain, on behalf of member states of the GCC, reaffirmed its steadfast commitment to combating trafficking in persons and the protection of victims, citing a number of legislative and institutional measures adopted.
Bahrain, on behalf of member states of the GCC, noted that the Kingdom of Bahrain had maintained its Tier 1 ranking in the US Department of State's trafficking in persons report for the ninth consecutive year.
🇱🇻 Latvia
Latvia expressed concern over the persistence of trafficking in persons, slavery, and slavery like practices, which it described as grave violations of human rights, and said Latvia addresses these aspects through a comprehensive national action plan.
🇮🇷 Islamic Republic of Iran
Islamic Republic of Iran stated that combating contemporary forms of slavery and trafficking in persons, including of women and girls, requires sustained commitment to implementing legal obligations and strengthening prevention and accountability measures, and that millions of people continue to be subjected to exploitation, including forced labor.
Islamic Republic of Iran asked the Special Rapporteur about practical measures possibly taken to address cases like that of Jeffrey Epstein, identify victims and survivors, document their observations and sufferings, and hold perpetrators accountable.
🇸🇾 Syrian Arab Republic
Syrian Arab Republic stated that the liberation of Syria in December 2024 marked a new chapter, and that the new Syrian government affirmed that combating trafficking in persons is an essential component of rebuilding state institutions, strengthening the rule of law and protecting human rights.
🇩🇿 Algeria
Algeria stated that Algeria considers the fight against trafficking in persons a national priority, requiring a comprehensive response combining legal safeguards, victim support, and international cooperation.
Algeria highlighted the 2020 constitution, the Law on the Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Person in 2023, an executive decree in January 2026 establishing the National Mechanism for the Protection of Victims of Human Trafficking, and a dedicated fund for victim assistance.
Sovereign Order of Malta
Sovereign Order of Malta stated that despite the international community's comprehensive framework to combat slavery and trafficking in persons, countless individuals remain beyond the reach of protection, and that the first challenge is to see those who remain unseen.
Sovereign Order of Malta urged Member States to strengthen the identification of vulnerable people, ensure meaningful protection and recovery for survivors, and build partnerships that reach beyond formal systems.
🇬🇹 Guatemala
Guatemala highlighted the proposed set of cultural rights indicators as a tool for monitoring implementation of these rights within states' legal, policy and institutional frameworks, which also facilitates a more effective response to persistent gaps and challenges.
Guatemala noted that Guatemala has made gradual progress in adopting legislation and public policies for non dominant population groups, particularly indigenous peoples, citing the National Languages Act, which recognizes the languages of the Maya, Garifuna, and Shinko peoples.
🇨🇾 Cyprus
Cyprus reaffirmed full support for the Special Rapporteur's mandate and expressed appreciation for her visits to Cyprus this year during Cyprus' presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Cyprus welcomed the report's efforts to develop practical indicators to assess the implementation of cultural rights at national level, saying such indicators can support evidence based policy making and strengthen accountability.
🇲🇾 Malaysia
Malaysia recognized that cultural rights are an integral part of human rights, and said that, as a multicultural and multi religious country, Malaysia attached great importance to preserving and promoting its cultural heritage and diversity.
Malaysia stated that assessments of cultural rights should take into account the diversity of national circumstances, cultural traditions and development priorities, and that any proposed indicator should remain flexible and adaptable to national contexts while avoiding unnecessary reporting burdens, particularly for developing countries.
🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea noted that its National Cultural Commission works with communities to safeguard traditional knowledge and cultural practices, and that for it the loss of a language can mean the loss of oral histories, traditional knowledge, cultural practices and identity.
Papua New Guinea stated that its people own 97% of the country's land, which is their birthright, and that in Melanesian culture land connects people to their ancestors and sustains communities.
🇬🇷 Greece
Greece asked the Special Rapporteur to elaborate on effective data collection methodologies and positive practices for national statistical institutes, and on strategies for using cultural rights indicators to build consensus towards a standalone post-2030 goal on culture.
🇦🇿 Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan stated that Azerbaijan is a multicultural and multi ethnic society committed to upholding cultural rights without discrimination, with the Constitution and relevant international agreements providing sustained guarantees for realizing these rights.
🇳🇦 Namibia · on behalf of African group
Namibia, on behalf of African group, stated that any assessment of cultural rights measuring only what a state does inside its borders, and saying nothing of objects, archives and remains held outside them, would measure Africa against a standard it was never allowed to meet.
Namibia, on behalf of African group, asked whether the Special Rapporteur's proposed guidance treats restitution and access to cultural heritage held abroad as an element of implementation to be assessed, and how states with limited statistical capacity are to apply it without acquiring one more reporting burden.
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