Third Committee, 23rd plenary meeting - General Assembly, 81st session
Comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, 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 (b), 70, 70 (a), 70 (c), 70 (d) (A/81/215, A/81/227, A/81/166)
Agenda items · 581st session
Item 70(b)
Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms
Item 70
Promotion and protection of human rights
Item 70(a)
Implementation of human rights instruments
Source: United Nations (un.org, igov.un.org)
Speaking timeMorris Tidball-Binz (13.1%) · Ben Saul (6%) · special rapporteur on extra extrajudicial summary or arbitrary executions (5.7%) + 28 more · Unattributed (14.8%)
Third Committee, 23rd meeting of the 81st session. Agenda item taken up: “Comprehensive implementation of and follow-up to the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, 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 (b), 70, 70 (a), 70 (c), 70 (d) (A/81/215, A/81/227, A/81/166)”. 24 speakers were heard, representing 23 delegations.
Partly attributed: 47% of speech unattributed. Attributed to a named speaker 49% · unattributed 47% · Chair 4%.
Points of disagreement
Cuba condemned what it called illegal actions by the United States, including extrajudicial killings in the Caribbean under what it called the false pretext of combating drugs trafficking, and said the international community should not remain silent.
Ukraine stated that Russia systematically denied independent monitors access to detention facilities and temporarily occupied territories, concealing the true scale of violations, and that these figures were almost certainly only the tip of the iceberg.
Islamic Republic of Iran stated that what it called brutal and unlawful acts of military aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against the Islamic Republic of Iran had caused significant environmental damage, as well as loss of human life and destruction of infrastructure.
Key points
special rapporteur on extra extrajudicial summary or arbitrary executions presented the sixth and final thematic report, on the challenge and urgent need to recognize, better investigate and more effectively intervene to prevent unlawful deaths of older persons.
Sweden, on behalf of eight Nordic and Baltic countries, welcomed the Special Rapporteur's report on the arbitrary deprivation of life of older persons, and noted with interest the call for an addendum to the Minnesota Protocol providing specialized guidance for investigating potentially unlawful deaths of older persons.
Switzerland reiterated that states are obliged to fully respect international law, including human rights law and international humanitarian law, in the fight against terrorism.
Statement by statement · 23 speakers
special rapporteur on extra extrajudicial summary or arbitrary executions
special rapporteur on extra extrajudicial summary or arbitrary executions presented the sixth and final thematic report, on the challenge and urgent need to recognize, better investigate and more effectively intervene to prevent unlawful deaths of older persons.
special rapporteur on extra extrajudicial summary or arbitrary executions stated that states too often fail to exercise due diligence, so unlawful deaths of older persons are alarmingly underreported, under investigated and under researched, and that these failures may in themselves amount to violations of the right to life.
special rapporteur on extra extrajudicial summary or arbitrary executions called for the future binding instrument to include articles on the right to life with dignity of older persons, and for the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to develop a technical addendum to the Minnesota Protocol.
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
Bulgaria reaffirmed support for the Special Rapporteur's mandate and thanked him for his report on the arbitrary deprivation of life of older persons.
Bulgaria underlined the importance of accurate death registration, effective investigations, and appropriate training for professionals in line with international standards, including the Minnesota Protocol.
🇨🇺 Cuba
Cuba rejected and condemned all extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary killings, stating that protection of the right to life is a high priority for the State of Cuba and is enshrined in its Constitution.
Cuba condemned what it called illegal actions by the United States, including extrajudicial killings in the Caribbean under what it called the false pretext of combating drugs trafficking, and said the international community should not remain silent.
Cuba called for the removal of Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism and asked the Special Rapporteur to continue paying attention to the issue, reiterating interest in exploring technical cooperation with his mandate.
🇧🇷 Brazil
Brazil stated that combating organized crime requires an approach centered on intelligence, targeting illicit financial flows, countering money laundering, and strengthening controls on weapons and ammunition.
Brazil welcomed the recent advisory opinions issued by the International Court of Justice and the Inter-American Court of Human Rights on the climate crisis.
🇳🇦 Namibia
Namibia asked how the proposed addendum to the Minnesota Protocol could help medical legal systems with few forensic pathologists, whether the African Union would partner in drafting it, and what international support is envisaged for judicial training in jurisdictions with limited budgets.
🇲🇦 Morocco
Morocco reaffirmed its full commitment to the right to life without distinction of any kind, noting that the Moroccan Constitution recognizes it as the first right of every human being and requires the law to protect it.
Morocco welcomed the report's central conclusion that reliable investigation of death is a cornerstone of prevention, and supported its recommendations to strengthen medical legal systems and train the professionals involved.
🇵🇹 Portugal
Portugal welcomed the Special Rapporteur's call for effective documentation, investigation, and prevention of the unlawful deaths of older persons in the light of international standards on the protection of the right to life.
Portugal supported the ongoing negotiations towards a legally binding instrument on the rights of older persons, recognizing its importance in strengthening their protection and ensuring the full enjoyment of their human rights.
🇷🇺 Russian Federation
Russian Federation stated that research into deaths of older persons based on age, heart treatment, inappropriate care, and emergencies or armed conflicts goes beyond the remit of the special rapporteur because these cannot be qualified as executions, and that duplication of existing special procedures is unnecessary.
Russian Federation noted that advisory opinions of international judicial bodies are recommendations and do not create obligations for states, and that the UNFCCC system is the main source of climate obligations; it said states should independently strike a balance between economic development and the environment.
🇲🇲 Myanmar
Myanmar stated that the military junta in Myanmar had been flagrantly violating the right to life in a widespread and systematic manner, citing the killing of civilians during village raids, torture of prisoners to death, executions via closed-door military tribunals, and indiscriminate airstrikes.
Myanmar called for action by the international community to address what it called the root cause, the military dictatorship and its impunity, to save the people of Myanmar from losing their right to life.
🇸🇪 Sweden · on behalf of eight Nordic and Baltic countries
Sweden, on behalf of eight Nordic and Baltic countries, welcomed the Special Rapporteur's report on the arbitrary deprivation of life of older persons, and noted with interest the call for an addendum to the Minnesota Protocol providing specialized guidance for investigating potentially unlawful deaths of older persons.
Sweden, on behalf of eight Nordic and Baltic countries, expressed concern about gendered ageism, noting that women comprise up to 70% of documented unlawful deaths among older persons.
🇩🇪 Germany
Germany condemned all extrajudicial, summary, and arbitrary executions, which it said constitute grave violations of the right to life, and called for effective prevention, prompt and impartial investigations and accountability.
Germany expressed concern over the report's finding that unlawful deaths of older persons are under reported, under investigated, and under researched.
🇺🇦 Ukraine
Ukraine stated that since February 2022 OHCHR had verified the execution of 129 Ukrainian prisoners of war and other servicemen, and documented 182 extrajudicial executions of civilians in the temporarily occupied territories, including seven children.
Ukraine stated that Russia systematically denied independent monitors access to detention facilities and temporarily occupied territories, concealing the true scale of violations, and that these figures were almost certainly only the tip of the iceberg.
🇮🇪 Ireland
Ireland welcomed the report's focus on older persons as a population susceptible to violations of their right to life, and noted its concerns about a lack of reporting, investigation and research on unlawful deaths in this age group.
Ireland welcomed the establishment of an intergovernmental working group on older persons to develop a legally binding instrument on older persons' human rights, including the right to life with dignity.
🇪🇨 Ecuador
Ecuador stated that in some regions of Ecuador, violence had been set up to spread terror among the population and destabilize democracy, characterized by armed attacks, abductions and attacks on official buildings, media and public officials, in a coordinated and systematic way.
Ecuador stated that these circumstances required a decisive response from the state, which led to the recognition of an internal armed conflict in the country in December 2024.
🇸🇾 Syrian Arab Republic
Syrian Arab Republic stated that Syria joined the global coalition to fight ISIS and abolished the exceptional counter-terrorism court, which it said was created by the Assad regime to spread fear among Syrians.
Syrian Arab Republic called for the repatriation of third country nationals detained in Syria in connection with terrorism and their family members, including women and children, as well as technical and financial assistance to rehabilitate and strengthen Syria.
🇲🇽 Mexico
Mexico recognized the Special Rapporteur's work to ensure that counter-terrorism measures adopted by states are fully compatible with international law, including international human rights law, international humanitarian law and the rights of refugees.
Mexico reaffirmed that the fight against organized crime should be carried out with full respect for human rights, the sovereignty of states and the principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including the prohibition on the threat or the use of force.
🇨🇭 Switzerland
Switzerland reiterated that states are obliged to fully respect international law, including human rights law and international humanitarian law, in the fight against terrorism.
🇵🇰 Pakistan
Pakistan stated that the definition of terrorism must be consistent with international law, and that terrorism must be distinguished from the legitimate right of people to resist foreign occupation and their inalienable right to self determination.
Pakistan called for updating the UN CT architecture to address new and emerging trends in terrorism, and for making UNSC sanctions regimes more equitable and transparent, strengthening the Ombudsperson Office to the 1267 Sanctions Committee and expanding its mandate.
Pakistan condemned what it described as India's attack on urban civilian areas in Pakistani territory on the night of 6 to 7 May, under false pretext of counter-terrorism, and asked the Special Rapporteur for views on the report's methodology and next steps.
🇪🇬 Egypt
Egypt condemned all terrorist attacks in all forms and manifestations, and expressed grave concerns at their detrimental effects on the enjoyment of all human rights and social peace and stability.
Egypt emphasized that the enduring defeat of terrorism requires a comprehensive approach, including mutual respect, tolerance to pluralism, dialogue among civilizations, combating intolerance and hatred, strengthening the rule of law and state institutions, and taking into account economic and social dimensions.
🇮🇳 India
India expressed concern at what it called the unacceptable situation of the SR releasing reports with factual inaccuracies without being held accountable, and pointed to what it described as glaring inaccuracies concerning India, including on the 2003 listing of the leader of D company.
India stated that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are an inalienable part of India, and said that what had been mentioned against India was pure propaganda made for narrow political gains.
India supported the Special Rapporteur's objective of ensuring access to justice and protecting justice actors from intimidation, violence and improper interference, while taking exception to India's inclusion in an undifferentiated list on reported killings of environmental lawyers.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
United Kingdom noted the Special Rapporteur's examination of the application of counter-terrorism frameworks to organized criminal groups, and agreed that states must respond effectively to both terrorism and serious and organized crime, with measures tailored, proportionate and consistent with international law and international human rights law.
United Kingdom underlined the importance of an approach that protects civic space, supports the rule of law, and addresses the conditions that terrorist groups seek to exploit.
🇱🇧 Lebanon
Lebanon noted that in southern Lebanon the war had caused extensive environmental damage, particularly to agricultural land and olive groves, including through the reported use of white phosphorus.
Lebanon asked what practical steps the Special Rapporteur would suggest to ensure environmental justice continues to receive attention when armed conflict strains state resources and humanitarian needs take precedence, and how the recommended measures could help overcome obstacles such as site access and effective remedies in conflict-affected settings.
🇮🇷 Islamic Republic of Iran
Islamic Republic of Iran stated that what it called brutal and unlawful acts of military aggression by the United States and the Israeli regime against the Islamic Republic of Iran had caused significant environmental damage, as well as loss of human life and destruction of infrastructure.
Islamic Republic of Iran called for the international community to fulfill its responsibility to prevent environmental destruction during armed conflicts, ensure impartial consideration of the resulting damage, and guarantee effective reparation, while preventing politicization and double standards.
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