19th Meeting - 63rd Session of Human Rights Council Human Rights Council Date: 21 September 2026 Language: English Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/ar/hrc/63/19?lang=en Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations. --- HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [0:01]: Good morning, Excellencies, distinguished colleagues. I hereby declare open the 19th meeting of the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council. Excellencies, distinguished participants, we shall now continue with the interactive dialogue on the report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. We continue with the list of speakers. And I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Poland. Poland [0:43]: Mr. Vice President, while aligning itself with the statement of the European Union, Poland wishes to offer some additional remarks. Poland thanks the International Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela for presenting the report. We highly appreciate work of all UN mandated bodies focused on protecting human rights and fundamental freedoms, combating violence and resorting to democracy in the country. While limited signs of a relative opening in civil space in Venezuela were observed, these developments remain partial and insufficient. Civic and political rights continue to be constrained by persistent patterns of repression, arbitrary detention, surveillance and website blocking. Undue restrictions on the rights of freedom of expression, of association and peaceful assembly, of the right to participate in public affairs are still in force. Poland urges the authorities of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to adopt concrete measures with a view to achieving genuine democracy in the country and the full realization of all human rights, with a particular focus on those in the most vulnerable situations, such as children and persons with disabilities. Dear experts, Two weeks ago, Venezuela National Assembly approved an increase in the number of committee members selecting new justice of the Supreme Court. How do you assess those changes? What are currently the most pressing needs related to judiciary in Venezuela? Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:02]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mozambique. Mozambique [2:11]: Mr. Vice President, my delegation commends the Government of Venezuela for its continued cooperation with the UN system and its efforts to strengthen the dialogue and cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. We also commend Venezuela Government's efforts through the Venezuelan Reboot Plan to ensure the right to adequate housing for communities affected by the earthquake on 24 June 2026. We believe that the promotion and protection of human rights are and should remain a priority for all States. Their implementation should not be politicized or pursued at the expense of State sovereignty, territorial integrity or independence. Instead, it should be guided by the principle enshrined in the Charter of the UN, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, international law, and international humanitarian law. In conclusion, we underscore that the consent of the states concerned is indispensable to the effective implementation of the mandate and mechanisms listed by the Human Rights Council. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [3:32]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Burundi. Burundi [3:40]: Burundi remains convinced that improving the human rights situation is a matter dear to the heart of all nations and therefore must be based on constructive cooperation and an inclusive dialogue between States. In this respect, country-specific mandates without the consent of the States concerned violates the universal principles enshrined in the UN Charter and, unfortunately, leads to the politicisation of the work of this Council. Sovereignty and territorial integrity of states must be a guiding light, understanding that the primacy of the responsibility of states when it comes to promoting and protecting human rights must be borne in mind. My country welcomes the commitment of Venezuela to actively cooperate with the Council and its mechanisms, and we can see this through the submission of national reports before the Human Rights Committee, the protection of the rights of migrant workers, the Committee on the Discrimination Against Women, and the Committee Against Racial Discrimination, which reflects its commitment to promote the well-being of its population. We also encourage it in its preparations for its next UPR which will occur at the beginning of 2027. And finally, my delegation encourages international solidarity and cooperation, granting priority to the initiatives of States on the promotion of human rights. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [5:08]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Yemen. Yemen [5:14]: Mr. President, you have the floor. Vice-President, my delegation once again states its firm position, which is that this Council must abide by the UN Charter and especially respect the sovereignty, the independence and the territorial integrity of states and non-interference in the domestic affairs of states. We support a global policy debate between Venezuelans themselves, and we are in favour of a peaceful and consensual solution, because that is the way to overcome economic and social challenges. Once again, we call for an end to unilateral coercive measures, which seriously impact the living standards of citizens. It is essential to promote human rights through participative dialogue, technical cooperation, and ensuring that we have the consent of the states concerned, not by mechanisms which are imposed. All of this must be done without politicization. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [6:29]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Switzerland. Switzerland [6:39]: Thank you, Vice-President. Switzerland commenced the investigative work of the mission and we thank it for its report. We note with satisfaction the freeing of many persons arbitrarily detained in Venezuela and remind that all persons that are freed must fully enjoy, without any conditions, their fundamental freedoms pursuant to international human rights law. We call for the freeing of all persons arbitrarily detained. We take a positive view of the loosening of the restrictions to freedom of expression and encourage the country to continue in this direction. We remain concerned, however, by... the mechanisms and laws and practices which continue to restrict civil space and to limit the full exercise of fundamental rights. We support the renewing of the mandate of the fact-finding missions and encourage Venezuela to grant it access to its territory. We also welcome the cooperation between Venezuela and the High Commissioner for Human Rights and would call on the authorities to guarantee the OHCHR office a presence and full operational access throughout the country. Vice President, Which reforms do you believe are indispensable and should be a priority to guarantee the independence of the judiciary? Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [7:57]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Iran (Islamic Republic of) [8:04]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Iran reaffirms its principled position regarding country-specific mechanisms under item 4. While the UPR reviews the human rights record of every state on an equal basis, item 4 places a limited number of countries under additional scrutiny. This raises a serious question about equal treatment within the Council. We are also concerned about attempts to judge states based on particular political or governance models. Countries that make independent political and economic choices are often subjected to pressure through unilateral coercive measures, economic-specific resolutions, and additional monitoring mechanisms. Together, these measures can limit the ability of peoples to freely choose their political, economic, and social paths. Venezuela is a clear example. Its people should not have to face economic restrictions and additional international scrutiny for exercising their right to self-determination. Human rights should not be used to impose particular political or development model. The Council must respect the right to all peoples to choose their own path. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [9:16]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Germany. Germany [9:22]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Germany aligns itself with the EU statement. We thank the members of the fact-finding mission for the crucial work for the people of Venezuela. We welcome a partial reopening of the political space and the efforts towards the release of political prisoners in the past month. At the same time, serious and structural violations of human rights continue to take place. Germany remains deeply concerned about the reports of arbitrary detention and forced disappearance, torture, and other forms of inhumane and degrading treatment. The remaining restrictions on civic and democratic space require the international community's continued attention. All arbitrarily detained prisoners must be immediately released and granted amnesty in line with international human rights law. Accountability is key for the people of Venezuela that have suffered far too long. We call on the authorities to conduct prompt, independent and impartial investigations into human rights violations and to hold those responsible to account and to give full access to the FFM. Germany supports an extension of the mandate of the FFM on Venezuela for two years. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [10:35]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Belarus. Belarus [10:41]: At the outset, we'd like to express our solidarity with Venezuela, who bravely overcame the consequences of a destructive and lethal earthquake. In this difficult time, the people and government of Venezuela need support for overcoming the consequences of the disaster and consolidating efforts to improve the situation of the population, which is also suffering from unilateral coercive measures, which for a long time have, in a targeted way, wiped out the country's economy. The fact-finding mission in Venezuela, which was established without the agreement of the authorities in order to exert political pressure and destabilize the government, is not conducive to promoting human rights. Servicing mechanisms on Venezuela including the preparation of multiple repetitive and biased reports, requires significant budgetary resources from the UN. Moreover, an arbitrary 117-page long research note was submitted for this session, the preparation of which was also costly. In light of Venezuela's cooperation with OHCHR and other human rights mechanisms, it is necessary to promptly stop all existing expenditure on non-consensual mandates and channel the freed-up resources towards the humanitarian support of the country's population. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [11:56]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ireland. Ireland [12:02]: Thank you, Vice-President. Ireland aligns with the EU statement and thanks the fact-finding mission for its report. Ireland shares the deep concern of the mission regarding the arbitrary detention and the forced disappearances of opposition leaders, human rights defenders and journalists. Ireland remains gravely concerned by the ongoing censorship and repression of dissenting voices and the chilling effect this has on civic engagement. We call for the creation and maintenance of a safe and enabling civil society space in which organisations can operate free from harassment, intimidation, threat or reprisals. Ireland strongly condemns the reported torture and ill-treatment of detainees and deaths of detainees in state custody. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all arbitrarily detained prisoners and the provision of adequate and timely medical care to all those who have been detained. Ireland remains committed to efforts to facilitate a Venezuelan-led dialogue to restore democracy and the rule of law, respecting the will of the Venezuelan people. Ireland notes the renewed cooperation by the authorities with the Office of the High Commissioner and urges Venezuela to ensure the Office's continued presence and to grant the FFM full access to the country. Members of the fact-finding mission, what steps can the international community take to support civil society actors and prevent the shrinking of civic space in Venezuela? I thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [13:18]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe [13:27]: Vice-President, Zimbabwe thanks the fact-finding mission for its report. We commend Venezuela for strengthening channels of dialogue in cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner and for its continued cooperation with the Council and its mechanisms. We also commend Venezuela for the adoption of Amnesty Law for Democratic Coexistence by the National Assembly and the launching of the National Consultation for Criminal Justice Reforms, which addresses criminal policy, access to justice, and due process guarantees. Zimbabwe deplores the establishment and continuation of the fact-finding mission without the consent of the Government of Venezuela. The move is counterproductive in terms of encouraging and supporting the country to meet more effectively its human rights obligation. We reiterate that the imposition of country-specific mandates leads to duplicity, politicization, and selectivity within the Council. We urge the Council to engage Venezuela through genuine and constructive dialogue and cooperation that uphold principles of sovereignty and noninterference in its internal affairs. We call for the lifting of UCMs imposed on Venezuela and all targeted states as a critical step towards improvement of the lives and well-being of citizens. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [14:42]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Turkey. Türkiye [14:48]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Turkey supports dialogue and cooperation between the UN and Venezuela. Our embassy in Caracas maintains close cooperation and coordination with representatives of UN agencies, as well as with national authorities and civil society organizations. Turkey believes that the issues, including those in the field of human rights, can only be addressed through an encompassing dialogue and cooperation among Venezuelans themselves. We believe that in the upcoming period, new consensus will be reached among Venezuelans and further reforms will be implemented, thereby improving the political environment through enhanced dialogue and reconciliation. Many positive changes have taken place in Venezuela in recent months. We welcome the continuation of the dialogue between the government and the 2015 National Assembly and hope that it will pave the way for the greater political understanding and reconciliation. The earthquakes of 24 June had a profound and destructive impact on Venezuela. We are pleased to see that the official post-disaster needs assessment report was recently announced by UNDP and that its technical findings will be integrated into the government's plan to implement resilient, long-term reconstruction projects. Turkey will remain engaged with all relevant actors, both in Venezuela and within the UN system, to help the Venezuelan people achieve higher living standards and fully enjoy their fundamental human rights. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [16:07]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ethiopia. Ethiopia [16:14]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Ethiopia's position is grounded in the principles of respect for sovereignty, noninterference in the internal affairs of states, and the promotion of peaceful dialogue and cooperation while addressing human rights challenges globally. We firmly believe that any action in this regard must be based on a balanced, impartial, and objective approach, free from double standards and politicization. Ethiopia advocates for capacity building and technical assistance provided in a constructive and encouraging manner, respecting state sovereignty. We also remain committed to the universal periodic review process, recognizing its value in enabling states to strengthen their human rights frameworks through dialogue and technical support. In closing, we hold the view that it is essential to prioritize dialogue and cooperation with Venezuela, fostering collaborative efforts toward a peaceful solution that fully respects the sovereignty of the country and upholds the right of its people to determine their own future. I thank you, Mr. Vice-President. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [17:18]: Thank you. I give the floor to the Distinguished Representative of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [17:27]: Thank you, Mr. Vice-President. The United Kingdom thanks the experts for their report and also welcomes the continued engagement of OHCHR in Venezuela. We welcome the progress made in Venezuela in recent months. We have seen important confidence-building measures, including the release of political prisoners and the start of dialogue between the Venezuelan authorities and representatives of the opposition. We welcome the agreements reached through these talks, which demonstrate the value of dialogue in addressing Venezuela's long-standing challenges. These developments provide a foundation for further progress on the recommendations of the fact-finding mission regarding ending arbitrary detention, restoring the rule of law and strengthening judicial independence, as well as ensuring full respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all Venezuelans. We encourage the Venezuelan Government to continue cooperating with OTHR, including by facilitating access to places of detention, and urge it to cooperate with the fact-finding mission. We welcome recent steps to increase transparency, including the announcement that the International Committee of the Red Cross will be granted access to detention centers. The UK remains committed to supporting a peaceful, democratic transition that reflects the will of all Venezuelans. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [18:45]: Thank you. I give the floor to the Distinguished Representative of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia [18:49]: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. Thank you, Vice-President. We have taken good note of the report on the human rights situation in Venezuela and would like to commend the efforts made by the government. We also welcome its cooperation with the Council and with its mechanisms. Once again, we state that a dialogue based on mutual respect, far removed from partiality, is the best way to preserve human rights and to overcome challenges besetting states. We also state that it's important for the international community to continue to provide assistance to Venezuela so that they can truly promote human rights. We have seen progress when it comes to promotion of human rights, and this can only occur with a sincere, open dialogue with the state and with its consent. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [19:58]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Sudan. Sudan [20:09]: Thank you, Vice-President. We have listened very carefully and read the report on Venezuela and have taken good note of remarks made and recommendations. We commend Venezuela's efforts to cooperate with the United Nations mechanisms, including OHCHR. And we welcome the fact that reports have been submitted to the UPR, to other committees and to mandate holders. We welcome the adoption of the law on the general amnesty and on peaceful democratic coexistence, and we remind the committee that respect for and promotion of human rights is an on-going process. guaranteeing equality between all rights. We urge Venezuela to continue these efforts and to reaffirm the Venezuela's right to establish its own human rights priorities. We do not agree with country-specific mandates which are adopted without the consent of the country concerned. Thank you, sir. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [21:23]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of China. China [21:31]: Mr. Vice President, China's position on the issue of Venezuela is consistent and clear. We firmly uphold the basic principles of international law and the fundamental norms governing international relations, such as sovereign equality, the. Prohibition of the use and threat of force, and non-interference in international affairs, as enshrined in the UN Charter. We oppose the abuse of unilateral sanctions and interference in internal affairs of sovereign. States through military, political, or economic means. We commend the government's efforts in promoting and protecting human rights, including its constructive cooperation with various stakeholders. We wish to reiterate that the unilateral sanctions imposed by certain countries severely hinder Venezuela's economic and social development. And the people's livelihoods. gravely affecting the basic human rights of its people, these sanctions should be lifted immediately. We will continue to firmly support all countries. In choosing their own path of human rights development suited to national conditions to better promote and safeguard the human rights of their people. Thank you, Mr. Vice President. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [22:40]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Indonesia. Indonesia [22:48]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Indonesia takes note of the report and presentation from the fact-finding mission. At the outset, we offer our deepest sympathy to the people of Venezuela as they rebuild after last June's earthquake. Indonesia stands in solidarity and stands ready to support the recovery effort. In line with this, we urge the relevant parties to lift its coercive measures imposed against the Venezuelan people. Their rights for adequate standards of living and right to development has been severely affected by years of economic contraction and effect of the UCM. It has created social hardship and severe lack of access to basic services. Finally, we emphasize that the political rights of the Venezuelan people to determine their own future are non-negotiable and no intervention can justify their erosion. We call on all parties to accord full respect for international law, including the principles in the UN Charter and the relevant international human rights law. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [23:48]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Egypt. Egypt [23:57]: Thank you, Vice-President. The delegation of Egypt has taken good note of the presentation made by the fact-finding mission. We are following with very great interest the measures and actions undertaken by Venezuela to promote human rights and fundamental freedoms. The position of Egypt is one which rejects the adoption of mechanisms by the Council without the consent of the country concerned, and we underline the importance of constructive dialogue, technical cooperation and capacity building. That is the appropriate way of ensuring that the human rights situation improves in countries and to ensure the cooperation of these countries with the Council's mechanisms. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [24:50]: Thank you. This was the last speaker on my list. We now turn to the list of speakers for national human rights institutions and non-governmental organizations. And so I give the floor to the representative of International Federation for Human Rights Leagues, intervention by video. FIDH [25:20]: Thank you, President. The FIDH and PREVEA denounce the fact that in Venezuela there is impunity for serious human rights violations and there is a repressive system which is responsible for persecuting civil society. The interim authorities are changing the legal framework to accommodate oil agreements with the Trump administration, but there's been the repeal of no laws arbitrarily used to detain thousands of Venezuelans, such as the law on hatred and that against NGOs. We have 300 political prisoners. Thousands of civil servants, pensioners and older persons have seen the real value of their income blown to smithereens. There are government vouchers for $200 a month, whereas the food basket is more than 700. Teachers are starting the school year without a real outlook of the consequences of the earthquakes earlier this summer. We have seen the repressive mechanisms of the state continue unabated. We need to guarantee the right to truth, justice, and reparation for victims and ensure there's a recovery of democracy and the rule of law in the country. We would urge the Council to renew the mandate of the mission. We would like to ask how you assess the role of the prosecutors and the ombudsman, given the current situation. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [26:51]: Thank you. I give the floor to the representative of Aula Abierta, intervention by video. Aula Abierta [27:01]: Distinguished members of Council, I'd like to share four ideas with you. One, in Venezuela, there are still 38 legal instruments in force which restrict civil space, according to Civilis International. For example, the law on electrical services has a 16-year prison sentence for disseminating certain information. And this is why academic researchers are prohibited from investigating the causes and solutions of electricity blackouts for eight hours a day, affecting millions of Venezuelans. This shows the link between academic freedom and economic, social and cultural rights. These are laws which must be repealed, taken off the statute books, not made more flexible. Secondly, the repressive mechanisms continue. The changes within the prosecution service and the ombudsman don't become truth, justice and reparation in practice. There are more than 400 political prisoners. The re-institutionalization implies that we'll have institutions which limit the exercise of power. Three, we must protect civil society as the agents of change and assess the importance of universities and researchers as key actors to rebuild the country. And four, we need the support of the international community. We need to renew the fact-finding mission with sufficient resources and a two-year operational program. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [28:34]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the representative of Amnesty International, intervention by video. Amnesty International [28:41]: Mr. President, we welcome the FFM's new findings. Its investigations and recommendations offer much needed international scrutiny and victim-centered debate amidst the concerning upheavals seen this year. There should be no doubt, even if somewhat altered, the state's policy of repression remains firmly in place. At least 19 perpetrators identified by the FFM continue holding power with impunity. Laws that seek to close civic space and control NGOs are still in effect. And as we speak today, around 400 people remain arbitrarily detained for political reasons. Amnesty International calls for their immediate release, for the closure of all criminal proceedings that remain open against thousands of victims of state repression, and for dismantling the repressive legal architecture, including the anti-NGO law. Mr. President, truth, justice, reparations, and guarantees of non-recurrence continue being absent. We remind authorities that these rights must be front and center in their actions. Here too, the FFM plays a crucial role. Its informed recommendations offer this Council and the international community a measurable roadmap for a future where human rights and the rule of law are protected in Venezuela. The FFM's mandate must be renewed for these and other valuable reasons. Given the FFM's findings on crimes against humanity in Venezuela, what are the options to preserve evidence for potential prosecutions? Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [30:08]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the representative of Geneva for Human Rights. Geneva for Human Rights [30:19]: Thank you, Vice-President. We acknowledge the report presented and the work of the mission, which in 2022 identified indigenous groups as a group requiring sustained attention. We therefore call for this focus to be deepened, given the new context. In 2026, a number of organic laws were adopted, empowering the Executive to disapply legal norms by an administrative act. norms have opened our territories to foreign capital without guaranteeing free, prior and informed consultation, which should be recognized due to Convention 169 and the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. At the same time, irregular armed groups occupy indigenous territories. in Sipapo, autonomous municipality, Amazonas state, as well as in other areas of that state and of Bolivar, where entire communities live under their control. Yanomami communities report more than 390 deaths from malaria linked to illegal mining. Impunity persists for the 2022 Yanomami massacre and for the killing of Yequana leader Joaquin Hernandez in 2024. We request that the Mission incorporate these elements into its next mandate, and we call on the Council to renew the mandate, ensuring resources for its work. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [31:33]: Thank you. I give the floor to the representative of International Commission of Jurists. ICJ [31:39]: Mr. Vice President, the International Commission of Jurists welcomes the work of the FFM on Venezuela and the reaffirmation of the persistence of human rights violations. Despite recent political developments, the implication of the findings is that the conditions that led this Council to establish the mission remain largely unaltered. We condemn the continued arbitrary detention of over 400 people for political reasons, in spite of the amnesty law. Furthermore, released persons continue to face prosecution by a justice system that lacks independence and is unwilling to hold persons responsible for gross human rights violations, constituting crimes under international law. The announced reform of the Supreme Court and the justice system is vulnerable to political manipulation by the authorities and lacks transparency. We deplore Venezuela's recent denunciation of the Rome Statute, further proof of the absence of any way to prosecute those responsible for crimes under international law. In a context where the Office of the High Commissioner has faced unwarranted obstacles to engage effectively, Despite an MOU, robust international oversight continues to be critical. Finally, the ICJ urges the Council to renew and strengthen the fact-finding mission as it remains an indispensable mechanism for documenting gross human rights violations and ensuring accountability for the victims. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [32:59]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the representative of CIVICUS in the intervention by video. CIVICUS [33:10]: Thank you, President. Civicus and Dispersio Publico welcome the report by the fact-finding mission. In Venezuela, the repressive structure remains intact. Hundreds of people remain arbitrarily behind bars, and their families are threatened. The state lies to them and denies them information about the situation of their loved ones. Following the 24 June earthquakes, relatives of victims who decried the lack of response from the government were threatened. There are no detailed and verifiable official data about the total number of people concerned. The state has never offered an official figure of disappeared persons following the earthquakes. The freedom of expression remains very limited. In August, Manuel Sanchez had spent a whole year in prison. He was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment for criticizing some police officers on TikTok. Yorman Acevedo served eight months of imprisonment because he commented on the detention of Nicolas Maduro and Celia Flores. Rene Gonzalez served two years in prison just because he belonged to a WhatsApp group. More than 60 pages of media remain blocked by CONATEL, the Anti-Hate Act and the Act on Monitoring of remain in place. We call on this Council to renew the fact-finding mission's mandate and to step up efforts in order to ensure that there is a country office of the Office of the High Commissioner with a full mandate and that there is a public memorandum of understanding and access for victims. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [34:37]: Thank you. I give the floor to the representative of Lawyers for Lawyers for a joint statement, intervention by video. Lawyers for Lawyers [34:45]: The report of the mission, which has documented repeated restrictions on the right to effective legal defence. In Venezuela, civic space continues to be significantly restricted. Despite the Amnesty Act, hundreds of people remain in prison on political grounds. Lawyers continue to face harassment and surveillance when they take on politically sensitive cases. Although we welcome the release of detained lawyers, restrictive measures remain, including prohibitions on leaving the country, whereas lawyers in exile cannot return due to detention warrants that are still valid. Restrictions on access to clients and case files undermine effective legal assistance, as well as access to justice and the guarantees of due process. Similarly, the independence of lawyers' bars, associations continues to be undermined, whereas restrictions on civil society limit their ability to provide legal assistance. We urge this Council to renew the mission of the International Mission and the Office of the High Commissioner on Venezuela and to keep up the scrutiny on the situation concerning lawyers in the country. urge the Venezuelan authorities to reestablish the rule of law, to end persecution and interference in the work of lawyers, and to ensure the independence of the profession. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [36:09]: Thank you. I give the floor to the representative of Center for Justice and International Law, intervention by video. CEJIL [36:18]: President, distinguished members of the Council, The report submitted by the Mission continues to confirm the existence of a judiciary that has no independence and which has been used as a tool for persecuting and which is incapable of investigating potential perpetrators of human rights violations. KOFIVIC and SIGIL insist that the recovery of the rule of law in Venezuela requires not only a change of those in power, but also rebuilding institutions that can act with autonomy, that can effectively place checks on the exercise of power, that can guarantee due process and ensure that victims have access to truth, justice and reparation. Institutional rebuilding must prevent the judiciary from being used once again as a tool for persecution. This requires genuine processes of purges and then selection of competent persons in a transparent manner, as established by the constitution and in keeping with international standards. In contexts where impunity remains, speaking of a possible transition to democracy and of economic progress without an independent judiciary is an empty promise. The judicial reform is not a technical option, it is a matter of ethical, institutional and social urgency. We call on this Council to renew the mandates of the Mission and of the Office of the High Commissioner and to ensure through this monitoring and international support for these processes so as to achieve effective democracy. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [37:47]: Thank you. I give the floor to the representative of Engineers du Monde for a joint statement intervention by video. Comando con Venezuela · Lawyer · Omar Mora Tosta [37:57]: Thank you, President. I am Omar Mora Tosta, a lawyer of Comando con Venezuela and a defender of political prisoners who have been arbitrarily detained following the 2024 elections. In Venezuela, despite the 3rd of January, the repressive structure remains in place. In order to ensure a transition towards democracy, The more than 400 prisoners and political, civil and military victims must be immediately released. Their lives are at danger because of ill treatment and the conditions of detention to which they have been subjected. Unfortunately, many of them have already died. Ad hoc terrorism courts were set up illegally. This was done through a resolution and not through law. In these courts, dissidents are prosecuted on political grounds, and unconstitutional laws are applied. They must be repealed in order to recover human rights. Even today, trials are under way, the right to a defence is denied, access to the case file is denied, and remote hearings are held, which violate due process and the right to defence. All of this is tantamount to criminal law applied by an enemy. The amnesty law was applied without complying with international standards and in a discriminatory way, as in the case of Perkins Rocha, a lawyer and the head of a campaign of the opposition parties. The international community must seek the separation of powers in Venezuela, because with impunity and without justice, the victims will not be able to move towards a fair society. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [39:29]: Thank you. I give the floor to the representative of International Service for Human Rights, intervention by video. ISHR [39:37]: President, the renewal of the mandates of the fact-finding mission and the Office of the High Commissioner on Venezuela is absolutely essential in order to continue the investigation and documentation of violations committed in the country and to put an end to impunity. These results are crucial for achieving democratic transitions in Venezuela. Renewal is essential for three reasons. First of all, the structures of impunity remain in place. Since Nicolas Maduro was captured in January, the fundamental causes behind the atrocities have not been addressed. The people, institutions, security structures, and legal frameworks that allow for international crimes to be committed remain active. According to an independent researcher, there is no mechanism in place to dismantle this system of repression. Secondly, international scrutiny is important because it can promote genuine reform. The authorities in Venezuela have taken limited measures that fall short of what they should achieve. The mission can distinguish structural reforms that are genuine from cosmetic changes. Also, it can sign a warning about new waves of repression and keep up the necessary pressure in order to promote effective and meaningful change. The mission and the Office of the High Commissioner are complementary. The mission is the only UN independent mechanism with a mandate to investigate serious violations, whereas the Office of the High Commissioner provides monitoring and technical assistance. Together, they can document the abuses in Venezuela and end impunity. We call for there to be a resolution that renews in full the mandates of both mechanisms. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [41:08]: Thank you. This was the last speaker we can accommodate at this dialogue. I now give the floor to the Fact-Finding Mission for their concluding remarks. You have three minutes, madam. FFM · Member [41:24]: Gracias. Thank you, President. I'd like to thank the delegation of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the other delegations for their comments and questions. The mission recognises the recent changes, including the releases and the amnesty act and dialogue between the government and the opposition, which is all in our report. However, this progress still does not guarantee structural transformation that is sustainable of the human rights situation. Despite the releases, hundreds of people remained arbitrarily detained, and we have also seen new detentions which reproduce already documented patterns. Moreover, the dire conditions of detention and acts of torture also persist. The denunciation of the Rome Statute casts doubt about the process on accountability. In order to reestablish the rule of law, the starting point should be releasing fully and unconditionally all persons who were arbitrarily detained, to put an end to political persecution, and to repeal the norms that were used to criminalize dissidents. Also, we must ensure the independence of the judiciary and the Office of the Public Prosecutor through transparent reforms and merit-based selection processes for appointing prosecutors and judges. Also, the security mechanisms must be reformed and the penitentiary system. It is necessary to dismantle the colectivos and to investigate serious violations and punish the perpetrators and to ensure truth, justice and reparation for the victims. President, the mission has based its conclusions on direct victim testimonies and witness testimonies who know what happened. We have contrasted their testimonies with multiple sources, and we ensure that we corroborate the data. The lack of access to the country does not mean that this methodology is invalid. Although such access to the country would make it possible for us to broaden our sources and carry the dialogue with the authorities further, we would like to reiterate our readiness to cooperate, and we call on the Council. to ensure that Venezuela allows access for the mission, which would be a manifestation of commitment towards the reforms that are being requested. Moreover, on 24th of June, we received information about people who had been detained in detention centers and about the presumed abuse of force against them. We would like to recall the obligation of the state to protect the life and physical integrity of all people under its custody, in particular during an emergency. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [44:16]: Thank you. This is the end of the interactive dialogue. I wish to thank the members of the fact-finding mission for their participation. We will now take a short break before the interactive dialogue on the report of the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in Nicaragua. Excellencies, distinguished participants, we shall now begin the interactive dialogue on the report of the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in Nicaragua. The list of speakers will close in 15 minutes. I now give the floor to Ms. Marit Conen-Sherif, Director of the Global Operations Division, to present the report. You have the floor. OHCHR · Director, Global Operations Division · Marit Conen-Sherif [46:53]: Thank you very much, Mr. Vice President. Distinguished Vice-President, Excellencies, participants, In Nicaragua, eight years from the start of the crisis, the human rights situation is ever more concerning. The silence and fear within the population have taken root as a consequence of repression that has reached all sectors. The silencing of dissent and criticism has made it possible for a number of institutional and legislative changes to concentrate even further the power within the hands of the executive and the ruling party. Democratic checks have been weakened, condemning those who suffer human rights violations and abuses to institutional neglect because there is a lack of independent and effective remedies in the face of the abuse of power. This is what the report that I'm presenting today documents in keeping with resolution 58/18 of this Council on the human rights situation in Nicaragua between the 15th of June 2025 and the 15th of June of this year. The legal reform approved in August 2025 made monitoring bodies subordinate to the authority of the president, granting the president's office the ability to appoint the prosecutor general, Further confirming this gradual weakening of the judiciary, there is no political pluralism in national institutions or at the local level any more. Out of 185 plenary votes in the National Assembly that were analysed during the period under review, not a single dissident voice was recorded, nor a single abstention, which casts doubt over the role of the National Assembly as a body for democratic deliberation. This same reality is visible at the local level too, where the governing party controls the country's 153 municipalities and both autonomous regional councils of the Caribbean coast. The latest constitutional reform, proposed and approved during the first legislature on 1 September of this year, deepens this trend. In addition to broadening the mandates of all the elected authorities and a number of high officials, it includes broad and imprecise prohibitions on political participation, which are likely to exclude any critical or opposing voices. Similarly, it establishes the non-applicability of international norms and decisions which are considered to run counter to national sovereignty, which could further worsen the lack of cooperation with human rights mechanisms. The shrinking of civic space is almost total now. During the period under review, civil society organizations recorded around 100 incidents against journalists, both within and outside of the country. These include surveillance, threats, smear campaigns, and police harassment. Moreover, one media outlet was closed down, and at least four organizations were also arbitrarily closed. Since 2018, at least 56 media outlets have been closed and 5,539 organisations have been shut down. Repression has also reached religious leaders and religions. At least 20 incidents of harassment have taken place against members of the Catholic Church. More than half of the Catholic dioceses remain without a bishop due to their bishops being in exile. General elections have been once again postponed until 2028. If the current situation continues, the necessary conditions for a genuinely free, inclusive and competitive electoral process will not be met. The arbitrary deprivation of liberty as a tool of repression against real or perceived opponents of the Government remains in place. In June 2026, civil society reported that 46 individuals were still arbitrarily deprived of their liberty. Our office managed to document 35 cases of arbitrary detentions, 29 of which present elements which could mean they could qualify as enforced disappearances. Particularly alarming is the increase in the number of deaths under state custody without there being any information about effective and independent investigations. Among the four victims that the Office documented, there is the indigenous leader from the Miskitu community, Brooklyn Rivera. The forced disappearance of relatives who then called for her remains to be provided show the risks that those who seek truth and justice face. The Office continues to document patterns of transnational repression which affect Nicaraguans abroad in exile. Because of fear and because of threats, some of them have been forced to leave their host countries. The Nicaraguan authorities continue to arbitrarily deny entry into the country of its citizens, as well as identity documents or the validation of academic qualifications. Indigenous peoples and people of African descent face specific risks which could jeopardize their physical and cultural survival. The mining activities supported by the state and new legal provisions are stripping them from some of their territories and their collective rights. Reports of violence against indigenous girls, including cases of kidnapping and acts of sexual violence, are particularly serious and require urgent attention. On gender equality, although the women still have a significant presence in certain fora of political representation, there are serious shortcomings when it comes to the prevention and punishment of gender-based violence. Civil society organizations have documented 53 femicides in 2025. Similarly, The restrictions that limit the rights of LGBTIQ+ persons remain in place, including reports of hate crime. Our Office would like to reiterate our call on the State of Nicaragua to release all persons who have been arbitrarily detained, to put an end to its repressive practices, and to resume cooperation with regional human rights mechanisms and with United Nations mechanisms. The Office calls on States who receive Nicaraguans to step up their efforts to protect them and provide support to the victims of human rights violations. In particular, we urge such countries to not extradite or expulse individuals who may be facing a risk of irreparable harm, and we encourage these countries to strengthen cooperation for investigating and cracking down on transnational repression. The international community must not ignore what is happening in Nicaragua. As has happened at other times during Central American history, the accumulation of diplomatic efforts from different countries, with the support of multilateral bodies, is necessary in order to re-establish the human rights of all Nicaraguans, so that they can freely participate in the destiny of their country. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [54:43]: Thank you. According to our practice, we start by hearing the delegation of the country concerned. However, I note that the delegation of Nicaragua is not present in the room. I now invite interested delegations to ask questions and make comments on the report. The speaking time is one minute, 30 seconds for all. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of the European Union. EU [55:14]: Mr. Vice President, the European Union thanks the High Commissioner for this report. The EU shares the serious concern about the continuing deterioration of the human rights situation in Nicaragua and the systematic and ongoing dismantling of democratic institutions, the rule of law, and fundamental freedoms. The EU calls for the unconditional and immediate release of all persons arbitrarily detained, including political prisoners. as well as for an end to arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances, surveillance, and intimidation, including transnational repression. The EU calls on Nicaragua to allow access to equal, non-discriminatory conditions for all political forces, including the registration and operation of political parties. We call on the authorities to guarantee non-discriminatory access to electoral processes and transparent and inclusive elections grounded in public debate. We continue to regret Nicaragua's disengagement from the Human Rights Council and from the Universal Periodic Review. We reiterate our call for the full respect for international law and human rights obligation and for the resumption of Nicaragua's cooperation with international human rights organizations, including the Office of the High Commissioner. question would be what further action can the international community take to support human rights and democratic space in Nicaragua? I thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [56:45]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Costa Rica on behalf of a group of countries. Costa Rica · interregional group of 46 countries [56:54]: Vice President, I'm making this statement on behalf of an interregional group of 46 countries. We thank the High Commissioner for his report and roundly reject Daniel Ortega's regime's statement that there will be no further elections in Nicaragua with the participation of dissident voices and the opposition. We regret the utter centralization of the state, the control that the government has over all authorities and the Court of Justice. This proves that there is a dismantling of democratic institutions. We support transparent, free elections, which will guarantee the Nicaraguan people their rights and fundamental freedoms. We are alarmed at the repression of dissidents. There is deprivation of nationality and planning of re-entry into the country. We have also seen the death of Brooklyn Rivera, the indigenous leader in detention after three years of incommunicado detention. This shows that there is a repression of indigenous peoples and forced repression of leaders of the opposition. We also regret the lack of cooperation with the UPR and that it is withdrawn from this Council, this cooperation. We regional human rights institutions and hope they can have access to the country. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [58:40]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Estonia on behalf of a group of countries. Estonia · Nordic-Baltic states [58:49]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. I have the honor to speak on behalf of the Nordic Baltic states. We thank the High Commissioner for the report. We are alarmed by the systematic dismantling of human rights and democratic freedoms in Nicaragua, and we condemn the persecution of those considered to be opponents of the government. Arbitrary detention, intimidation, exile and suppression of dissent cannot be justified as domestic politics. We call on the Nicaraguan authorities to release all those arbitrarily detained and end restrictions on independent media, human rights defenders and civil society. We call on the authorities to restore the political rights of all Nicaraguans, end persecution and discrimination based on gender, sexual orientation or gender identity, and uphold the human rights and dignity of all without discrimination. We urge the authorities to engage with regional and international human rights mechanisms. We strongly support the investigations and public reporting of the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua. We condemn the abolition of democratic elections and the instrumentalisation of gender-based violence as a tool of political repression. To conclude, we would like to ask: how can we safeguard free and meaningful elections in Nicaragua? I thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:00:10]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Luxembourg on behalf of a group of countries. Luxembourg · Benelux [1:00:20]: Mr. President, I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Benelux countries. We align ourselves with the statement of the European Union. The High Commissioner's report underscores the ongoing concentration of power in the executive branch. and the weakening of independent institutions. We are alarmed by reports of arbitrary detention and forced disappearances, surveillance, intimidation, and politically motivated prosecutions. A climate of fear prevents any perspective for citizens to freely participate in civil and democratic spaces. We remain concerned by restrictions against independent media, civil society organisations, religious actors and human rights defenders. The systematic dismantling of democratic principles, the rule of law and fundamental liberties require close monitoring. We are particularly alarmed by reports of transnational repression, notably against human rights defenders. Nicaraguans living in exile should be able to exercise their rights without fear of threats, harassment or reprisals against themselves or their families. We call on the Nicaraguan authorities to release all persons arbitrarily detained unconditionally, restore fundamental freedoms and put an end to repressive practices. The authorities should ensure judicial independence and create conditions for inclusive political participation. We also urge Nicaragua to resume meaningful cooperation with the OHCHR and other international human rights mechanisms. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:02:03]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Costa Rica. Costa Rica [1:02:11]: Gracias, Senor Bisceglia. Thank you, Vice-President. Costa Rica welcomes the report by the High Commissioner and we report our firm support for its office. We reaffirm our commitment to multilateralism and we highlight the need for this Council to stand firm in responding to serious human rights violations. Costa Rica condemns the transnational repression exercised by the Nicaraguan regime against opposition figures, dissidents and journalists and others through harassment and deprivation of citizenship and persecution and other serious human violations. We condemn the systematic restriction on civic space and civil society organizations and religious persecution. We particularly strongly condemn the recent constitutional reform that broadens the presidential mandate, excludes opposition from elections, and consolidates the total concentration of power in the hands of the president, moving the country even further away from any democratic reform. Today in Nicaragua, there is a dictatorship, and we are saying this and will say it in all relevant Costa Rica stands ready to engage in open, genuine dialogue with Nicaragua based on international standards of democracy, human rights, international law, and cooperation with international organizational mechanisms. We call firmly on the regime of President Otegui Murillo to put an end to human rights violations and to return without delay to the democratic path. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:03:37]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Spain. Spain [1:03:43]: Thank you very much, Vice President. Spain aligns itself with the statement of the EU and on its national capacity wishes to thank the High Commissioner for the presentation of his report. We see in the report the ongoing serious worsening of the human rights situation and of the rule of law in Nicaragua. Spain rejects the legal reforms to prohibit the opposition to arbitrarily annul political competencies and to consolidate a system with no safeguards nor democratic pluralism. We also condemn the use of arbitrary detention of nationality and asset stripping as tools to punish dissidents, academics, journalists, religious leaders, and human rights defenders. Spain reaffirms its will to continue offering a legal framework and a dignified framework through a mechanism which grant nationality. We reiterate that institutions and security forces from Spain will remain vigilant to guarantee the right to refuge and freedom of expression are respected against any intimidation and transnational harassment. We urge Nicaragua to immediately and conditionally release all persons deprived of liberty on political grounds and to re-establish full cooperation with UN mechanisms for the defense and promotion of human rights. High Commissioner, how do you think the Office might most effectively document the impact of prohibition of political opposition and support independent civil society to defend human rights. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:05:18]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Chile. Chile [1:05:27]: Thank you, Vice-President. Chile welcomes the update by the High Commissioner, which testifies to the ongoing serious worsening of the human rights situation in Nicaragua. We are particularly concerned at the fact that the concentration of power is getting worse. We see a weakening of separation of power and reducing institutional checks and balances with direct impact on the rule of law and democratic pluralism. The report testifies to the ongoing restrictions to freedom of expression freedom of assembly, peaceful assembly, and religion. We also see the persecution of persons considered to be opponents, human rights defenders, journalists, priests, and civil society organizations. We also see arbitrary detentions, prolonged incommunicado detention, forced disappearances, and complaints of torture. We're particularly concerned at the transnational dimension of repression, which reaches exiles, their family members. We see threats, harassment, seizures and restrictions to access to identity papers and in unlawful deprivation of nationality. And this leads to a lack of international protection. Chile restates the importance of cooperating with the High Commissioner and international human rights mechanisms as a way to tackle these concerns and have sustainable solutions. In this respect, it is essential to ensure that OHCHR has access to the country, providing comprehensive information information on detainees and those who have disappeared, to issue recommendations to ensure there is full cooperation with UN mechanisms. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:07:08]: Thank you. The list of speakers is now closed. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Paraguay. Paraguay [1:07:21]: Thank you, Vice-President. We thank the Office of the High Commissioner for the report and reiterate our ongoing serious concern at the worsening human rights situation in Nicaragua. The suspension of elections means that civic space is further restricted and the rule of law is weakened. This undermines fundamental freedoms in a context when repression, persecution, deprivation of nationality, extrajudicial killings and disappearances have become systematic. We condemn the ongoing arbitrary detentions on political grounds and reiterate our call for the immediate release of all those who are arbitrarily detained. And there must be light shed on the whereabouts of the disappeared. We underline the ongoing repression of the Catholic Church and all other religions. and the disappeared bishops' whereabouts should be clarified. We also have seen the death of the Miskito indigenous leader, Brooklyn Rivera, and would ask the State to fully clarify the circumstances of his disappearance and of his death with a clear, transparent investigation. We believe the State should immediately start cooperating with the international system, including OHCHR, and allow access to international monitoring mechanisms. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:08:57]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Brazil. Brazil [1:09:07]: Thank you, Vice President. Brazil is monitoring with great concern the human rights situation in Nicaragua, and we condemn the recent statements made by high-ranking Nicaraguan authorities regarding the fact that the elections may not be held in future in the country. Democratic institutions, the rule of law and citizens' participation are fundamental bases for the promotion and protection of human rights. We are deeply concerned at the concentration of state power, the restrictions of civil and political liberties and the repression of civil society. That is particularly a problem for the most vulnerable groups. The cases such as that of the indigenous leader Brooklyn Rivera testify to a pattern of arbitrary detention and forced disappearances. These must be the object of independent, impartial investigations aiming to assess responsibility, accountability and putting an end to such practices. Brazil believes that the Council can make a constructive contribution through promoting channels for dialogue and cooperation. We support the promotion of a broad-ranging, frank political dialogue, which ensures or makes easier the participation of all national stakeholders in full respect of the principle of non-intervention, free self-determination of peoples and international law. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:10:47]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of New Zealand. New Zealand [1:10:53]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. New Zealand joins others in expressing grave concern at the continued deterioration of human rights, democratic governance, and civic space in Nicaragua. As highlighted in the High Commissioner's report, repression of dissent, coupled with the sustained dismantling of democratic institutions, has severely undermined the conditions necessary for free and fair elections. September's constitutional reforms, as well as President Ortega's earlier comments that Nicaragua will no longer hold elections, represent a worrying escalation. New Zealand remains deeply concerned by the systematic repression of political opponents, journalists, human rights defenders, civil society organisations, and religious leaders, including by arbitrary detention and forced disappearance, death in custody, torture, sexual violence, and broader patterns of transnational repression. We call on the Nicaraguan Government to uphold its international human rights obligations, restore democratic guarantees, and create the conditions for meaningful political participation, peaceful dissent, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. New Zealand urges Nicaragua to resume cooperation with the United Nations, including the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and other international and regional human rights mechanisms. Mr. Vice President, what more can the international community do to help restore political participation and democratic governance in Nicaragua? Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:12:23]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Georgia. Georgia [1:12:35]: Thank you, Mr. Vice-President. Georgia thanks the High Commissioner for the report. We remain deeply concerned about the continued deterioration of the human rights situation in Nicaragua. We are particularly alarmed by rising arbitrary detentions, as well as by reports of deaths in custody. Georgia is concerned by reports of inadequate detention conditions and limited access to medical treatment for persons detained on political grounds. We regret that the lack of transparency surrounding rising femicides in Nicaragua risks obscuring the scale and seriousness of the issue and undermines efforts to address violence against women. Georgia also regrets that the OHCHR continues to be denied access to the country and is consequently required to carry out its work remotely. Georgia reaffirms its solidarity with the people of Nicaragua in their pursuit of peace, justice, and accountability. We stand in support of their aspirations for a democratic future in which human rights and fundamental freedoms are fully respected. we call on the Ortega-Murillo regime to respect, protect, and fulfill the human rights of all Nicaraguans and to fully implement the recommendations of the OHCHR and relevant international human rights mechanisms. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:13:50]: Thank you. And before moving to the next speaker, I call upon all speakers to uphold UN standards when referring to countries. And I now call upon the distinguished representative of Peru. You have the floor. Peru [1:14:08]: Vice President, Peru thanks the Office of the High Commissioner for their report and aligns itself with the statement by the Core Group on Nicaragua. In 2007, we saw a promise to improve the life of the most vulnerable, but since then, international observers have said that there's an autocracy in Nicaragua with concentration of power and weakening of institutions. We regret the announcement that there will be no elections in future and the prohibition of political opponents. There are no conditions for free, competitive elections. We have seen harassment, deprivation of nationalities, which also reaches people living in exile, and this has profound effects in the region. We regret the death of the indigenous leader Brooklyn and Vera and would like a free and independent investigation that returns the remains to family members. We restate our solidarity with Nicaraguan citizens and those living in exile. We believe the international community should continue monitoring the situation, promoting judicial independence, restoring institutions that respect people's well-being in the country. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:15:39]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the Distinguished Representative of Uruguay. Uruguay [1:15:47]: Vice President, Uruguay wishes to thank the High Commissioner for the submission of their report and we express our deep concern at the ongoing serious human rights violations in Nicaragua. We're also concerned at the ongoing worsening of the rule of law, democratic institutions and the guarantees which are indispensable for the effective protection of human rights. We're particularly concerned at information on arbitrary detentions and forced disappearances as as the deaths during detention. We reiterate the need to free all persons arbitrarily detained, to clarify the whereabouts of the disappeared and to guarantee effective investigation on the circumstances of these deaths. We also see ongoing limitations of civic and democratic space and restrictions to freedom of expression, of association, of peaceful assembly, and the ongoing policy to withdraw nationality. These affect the necessary conditions for effective exercise of political rights. Uruguay underlines that such an exercise requires pluralism, broad citizens' participation, genuine political competency, and no intimidation or reprisals. To conclude, Uruguay reiterates its call to the Nicaraguan authorities to restart an open, constructive cooperation with OHCHR and other international human rights mechanisms. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:17:13]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Romania. Romania [1:17:21]: Thank you, Vice-President. Romania aligns itself with the statement delivered by the EU, and thanks the High Commissioner for the report and its recommendations. Romania shares the serious concerns raised in the report regarding the persistent deterioration of the human rights situation in Nicaragua and the systematic dismantling of democratic institutions, rule of law, and fundamental freedoms. We are particularly concerned by the further concentration of power in the executive, the continued shrinking of civil and political space, and the ongoing repression of dissent. Documented restrictions on freedom of expression, association, peaceful assembly, the continuous pressure placed on journalists and civil society, alongside arbitrary detention and forced disappearances, torture, and other serious violations remain deeply troubling. Moreover, we are worried by recent statements and measures aimed at undermining the meaningful exercise of political rights, including through measures that would prevent opposition parties and candidates from participating in elections. Romania reiterates the importance of accountability and effective remedies for victims, and calls on the Nicaraguan authorities to release all persons arbitrarily detained. We also encourage Nicaragua to re-engage with the international human rights system, including the Human Rights Council, the UPR and the OHCHR, and to cooperate fully with the UN human rights mechanisms. High Commissioner, given the recent developments in Nicaragua, how do you see the situation evolving going forward, and what should the international community be most concerned about? HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:18:47]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Czechia. Czechia [1:18:51]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Czech Republic aligns itself with the EU statement and thanks the High Commissioner for his report. The human rights situation in Nicaragua continues to deteriorate at an alarming pace. Recent developments point to the increasing repression of political opponents and human rights defenders, shrinking civic space, and the further consolidation of power in the hands of the co-presidents. We are particularly alarmed by the recent measures that further undermine political participation, notably the proposed constitutional reform banning opposition from participating in elections. We urge Nicaragua to reinstate an open and pluralistic civic space and to respect the right of all citizens to participate freely in public affairs. We further wish to draw attention to reports of politically motivated arrests, enforced disappearances, transnational repressions, and deaths in state custody. We are deeply concerned by the case of Brooklyn Rivera and call for an independent investigation into his death. We also call for the immediate release of all those arbitrarily detained. Mr. High Commissioner, what concrete measures can states outside the region, including the Czech Republic, take to support Nicaraguan civil society, human rights defenders, and victims of human rights violations? Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:20:16]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Poland. Poland [1:20:21]: Vice President, Mr. High Commissioner, Poland aligns itself with the statement of the European Union and wishes to offer some additional remarks. Poland thanks for presenting the report and remains deeply concerned by the persistent erosion of the human rights situation and the rule of law in Nicaragua. Unfortunately, over the past 12 months, the situation has not improved. On the contrary, current actions of the authorities of Nicaragua have further undermined democratic checks and balances and have deepened the crackdown on civic space, generating more fear and anxiety among Nicaraguans. We urge the authorities of Nicaragua to uphold its obligation to respect, protect and fulfill the human rights of all individuals, in particular by ending the practices of arbitrary detention and forced disappearance, harassment, surveillance, intimidation, politically motivated prosecution and transnational repression against opponents. Mr. High Commissioner, in your report you describe several examples of violations of freedom of religion of belief in Nicaragua affecting members of the Catholic Church and other religious denominations, for instance, surveillance, threats, intrusions into religious gatherings and ceremonies, as well as widespread prohibition of ritual processions in public spaces during major religious festivities. How can the international community influence the Nicaraguan authorities to cease such abuses? Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:21:41]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Austria. Austria [1:21:47]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Austria aligns itself with the EU statement and thanks the High Commissioner for his report. Austria remains deeply concerned about the continued deterioration of human rights in Nicaragua, especially regarding the pronounced pattern of arbitrary detention, torture, ill-treatment, and forced disappearances and politically motivated persecution. We are particularly alarmed by the government's use of statelessness and arbitrary denationalization nationalization as tools of repression, the closure of civic space, and the targeting of journalists, human rights defenders, religious leaders, and indigenous peoples. Women, girls, and LGBTIQ+ persons are disproportionately affected by these measures of systematic abuse and serious human rights violations. Austria condemns the extraterritorial reach of this repression, including surveillance, harassment, violent attacks, and killings against Nicaraguans in exile, and calls for prompt, independent investigation of such acts. Austria is seriously alarmed by the latest attacks on the judicial system by means of systematically and arbitrarily stripping lawyers of their credentials. We strongly urge Nicaragua to end these unjustified interferences and to restore the rule of law. Austria calls on Nicaragua to re-engage with the UN and Inter-American human rights mechanisms, restore civic and political freedoms, and cooperate fully with the Group of Human Rights Experts and the Office of the High Commissioner. We reaffirm our support for the Council's continued scrutiny of the and stand in solidarity with Nicaraguan civil society and victims seeking truth and justice. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:23:18]: Thank you. I give the floor to the Distinguished Representative of Germany. Germany [1:23:23]: Mr. Vice President, Germany aligns itself with the EU statement and thanks the High Commissioner for his report, which paints a grim picture. The human rights situation in Nicaragua continues to deteriorate at a fast pace. We are deeply alarmed by the systematic dismantling of democratic institutions, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms, as well as widespread impunity. We note with deep concern reports of arbitrary detentions, torture and ill-treatment, including sexual violence in detention, enforced disappearances and the revocation of nationality. Germany calls for the unconditional release of all persons arbitrarily detained, including political prisoners. We regret Nicaragua's continued disengagement from this Council and other UN mechanisms. We urge the Nicaraguan authorities to return to a path towards democracy, allowing for effective, free and meaningful participation of all political forces. Germany thanks the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua for its indispensable work and reaffirms its solidarity with the people of Nicaragua and supports a peaceful, democratic solution to the crisis. High Commissioner, what can we do better to do better protect and strengthen Nicaraguan civil society in exile. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:24:40]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Australia. Australia [1:24:51]: Thank you, Vice-President. Australia remains deeply concerned by the continued deterioration of human rights in Nicaragua. Australia continues to call on Nicaraguan authorities to stop targeting human rights defenders, journalists and the clergy with arrest, harassment and intimidation. We are deeply troubled by the death in custody of indigenous leader and human rights defender Brooklyn Riviere, and we call for a thorough investigation into his death and urge the release of all political prisoners. Nicaragua persists in using repression of political opponents to maintain power. President Ortega's recent statement that Nicaragua would no longer hold elections continues the dismantling of democratic principles and institutions in Nicaragua. The Nicaraguan people must be allowed to choose their government freely and fairly in accordance with international human rights law. Australia calls on Nicaragua to uphold its international human rights obligations, restore democratic guarantees and create the conditions for meaningful political participation, peaceful dissent, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. How can the international community support the establishment of conditions for meaningful political participation in Nicaragua? Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:26:07]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of France. France [1:26:14]: Thank you, sir. We wish to thank the High Commissioner for his report on the human rights situation in Nicaragua. Just like with the last presidential elections of 2021, the total concentration of power and the climate of generalized repression are the sign of an ongoing dismantlement, which is very worrying, of democratic institutions. The structural restrictions to the rule of law, to the human rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly to the freedoms of expression, of the press, of peaceful assembly and association, mean that we see civic space and democratic space being shut down in Nicaragua. Since 2018, the Ministry of the Interior has arbitrarily dismantled more than 5,000 organizations. That is of those registered in the country. We reiterate our concern at the ongoing repression of political opponents through surveillance, extrajudicial killings, harassment and deprivation of liberty. We call for the unconditional release immediately of all detainees who are arbitrarily detained, as well as holding independent investigations and that of violence against human rights defenders. We deplore the withdrawal of Nicaragua's cooperation with UN mechanisms mechanisms and with the OHCHR, and they've not been authorized to enter the country since 2018, we immediately called Nicaragua to authorize the presence of observers in the country to strengthen the independence of the Supreme Electoral Council and reestablish cooperation with human rights mechanisms. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:27:48]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Switzerland. Switzerland [1:27:57]: Thank you, Vice-President. Switzerland wishes to thank the High Commissioner for his report. We share his concern at the ongoing worsening of the human rights situation in Nicaragua, and we are also concerned at persistent attacks to fundamental freedoms in a context of impunity. We are alarmed by the ongoing systematic dismantlement of democratic institutions, as seen in the recent review of the Constitution. We call on Nicaragua to re-establish governments and participation as well as the separation of powers and to ensure the full exercise of civil and political rights and holding free transparent credible elections is essential for this Switzerland expresses its deep concern at the severe restrictions of freedom of expression and the virtual shutdown of civic space we call on the authorities to guarantee an environment where journalists human rights defenders and civil society organizations can do their job without fear of reprisals and to conclude Switzerland is deeply concerned by the criminalization of human rights defenders, by arbitrary detentions and the practice of generalized repression, both nationally and transnationally. This aims to shut down the voices of opponents and dissidents. We call on the authorities to put an end to these violations and guarantee the right to due process. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:29:20]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Dominican Republic. Dominican Republic [1:29:25]: Thank you very much, Vice-President. The Dominican Republic would like to thank the High Commissioner for the report. We are concerned by reports about the weakening of democratic institutions and persistent restrictions on civic space, in particular those which impact freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of peaceful association, as well as the situation of journalists, human rights defenders, religious leaders and other civil society voices. We would like to reiterate that a diversity of opinion and citizen participation are core components of any democratic society and contribute to the strengthening of national institutions. We believe it is fundamental to make dialogue a priority, as well as the rule of law and the quest for peaceful and inclusive solutions. We urge Nicaragua to continue cooperating with the Office of the High Commissioner and international human rights mechanisms and to use their recommendations as tools for making progress on the protection of all persons' human rights. Vice-President, what specific alternatives do you think might contribute to restoring spaces for dialogue and cooperation, which will make it possible to move towards lasting and genuinely inclusive solutions in Nicaragua? Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:30:46]: Thank you. I give the floor to the Distinguished Representative of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [1:30:52]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. We remain deeply concerned by the human rights situation in Nicaragua. The report describes a troubling concentration of executive power and erosion of the separation of powers. Proposed constitutional reforms will further centralize power and weaken institutional checks and balances. The report also highlights continued restrictions on civic and democratic space. We are concerned by reports of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, deaths in custody and intimidation of political opponents, journalists, human rights defenders, religious leaders and indigenous communities. We are also concerned by reports of transnational repression targeting Nicaraguans abroad. We were alarmed by the reported death in custody of Brooklyn Rivera following prolonged arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance, and call for a full and transparent investigation. The UK urges Nicaragua to release anyone arbitrarily detained and restore nationality and political rights to those stripped of them. Nicaragua must uphold freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly, association, religion or belief, and participation in public affairs. We also urge Nicaragua to safeguard judicial independence and re-engage with the UN human rights system, including by granting the OHCHR access. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:32:14]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ukraine. Ukraine [1:32:21]: Mr. Vice President, Ukraine thanks the High Commissioner for the report, which documents the continued dismantling of democratic institutions and fundamental freedoms in Nicaragua, including arbitrary detention and forced disappearances, intimidation, restrictions of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and repression of political opponents and civil society. We are particularly concerned by Nicaragua's continued political and security alignment with the Russian Federation. Nicaragua has supported Russian positions, including opposing United Nations resolution addressing Russia's attempted illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories. Such positions undermine the universal principle of the UN Charter, including sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the prohibitions of use of force. Ukraine, therefore, urges Nicaragua to restore democratic freedoms, release persons arbitrarily detained for political reasons, cooperate fully with UN human rights mechanisms, and respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:33:18]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of China. China [1:33:25]: Vice-President, China has taken note of the report of the High Commissioner on the situation of human rights in Nicaragua. UN bodies should adhere to the principles of objectivity and impartiality and should not use unverified false information to make unjustified accusations against developing countries. Lies should serve as a political tool for certain countries to target and attack others. Certain countries turn a blind eye to the fact that the people of Nicaragua cannot fully enjoy all human rights due to UCMs. to the efforts and achievements of the government of Nicaragua in promoting and protecting human rights and to the strong opposition of the country concerned to the renewal of the country's specific mandate, such practices are not conducive to generally promoting and protecting human rights. China respects the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Nicaragua. We respect the right of the people of Nicaragua to independently determine their own future and destiny, and firmly oppose external interference into internal affairs of Nicaragua. The UCMs imposed on Nicaragua by certain countries are the manifestation of power politics and coercive diplomacy. These have seriously hindered Nicaragua's economic and social development and seriously undermined the rights of the people of Nicaragua. China firmly supports Nicaragua's efforts to support sovereignty and defend its legitimate rights and interests. We urge the relevant countries to immediately cease interfering in Nicaragua's internal affairs under the pretext of democracy and human rights. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:35:00]: Thank you. Thank you. This was the last speaker on my list. I will now turn to the list of speakers for national human rights institutions and non-governmental organizations. So I give the floor to the representative of Right Livelihood Award Foundation. Right Livelihood Award Foundation [1:35:22]: Vice-President, we welcome the report by the High Commissioner and we share the deep concern at the deterioration of the rights of indigenous and Afro-descendant peoples in Nicaragua. Along the North Caribbean coast, this crisis threatens the very physical, cultural and territorial survival of indigenous peoples. During the first semester of 2026 alone, the network of indigenous defenders documented 525 human rights violations, including 233 against collective rights and 170 cases of land encroachment. Whereas the communities face invasions, forced displacement, and loss of their livelihoods, mining activities continue unabated and expanding without genuine consultation or free, prior and informed consent. As the High Commissioner indicated, there has been no progress in terms of remediation of indigenous land. The death in state custody of the historic Miskito leader, Brooklyn Rivera, after years of forced disappearance, was a painful expression of the persecution that the indigenous leaders and indigenous defenders face. His death requires independent, transparent, and effective investigations. We call on Nicaragua to end the land dispossession, to guarantee effective remediation of communal land, and to suspend licenses for the exploitation of natural resources, which are granted without consultation or genuine consent, and to protect those who defend indigenous people's rights. The international community must keep the situation of these peoples at the heart of its scrutiny over Nicaragua. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:36:50]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the representative of Center for Justice and International Law. CEJIL · Mesoamerican Initiative of Women Defenders [1:37:00]: President, On behalf of the Mesoamerican Initiative of Women Defenders, we'd like to thank the High Commissioner for the report. We welcome the fact that the Office continues to document the worsening of repression in Nicaragua. We'd like to highlight the gender dimension of this repressive policy and its impacts on women defenders. Since April 2018, the Mesoamerican Registry of Assaults Against Female Defenders has documented 290 arbitrary detentions, 98 trials, and 58 cases of enforced disappearances of female human rights defenders. This year, Four were transferred from prison to house arrest, but they are not free. They continue to be under surveillance and restrictions. We have also documented 357 enforced displacements of human rights defenders, female ones, and 93 enforced disappearances of their relatives. Exile does not end. persecution. We have recorded at least 559 cases of migratory repression, including exile, statelessness, and the stripping of citizenship. Moreover, at least 280 organizations of women and feminists have been closed down, dismantling an essential social infrastructure for providing support to women and girls. Repression punishes the political autonomy of women. It instrumentalizes their family ties and extends its effects way beyond borders. We urge the Office to continue examining this gender dimension in its monitoring on Nicaragua. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:38:21]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the representative of Aula Abierta. Aula Abierta [1:38:30]: We would like to draw attention to the erosion of academic freedom and university autonomy in Nicaragua as a key dimension of the current human rights crisis. The Academic Freedom Index of 2025 places Nicaragua in the final place, 174th out of 174 countries, with a very low score. This reflects a sustained trend of weakening of institutional autonomy, freedom of tuition and research, and academic expression. This has got worse through new reforms. In 2025, Law 1252 strengthened state control over higher education and created a technical ministry on universities with competency over universities, academic centers, and programs. In In 2026, this affected a number of professions. The new provisions for studying medicine include, in addition to academic performance criteria, such as social commitment and the compliance with cultural and national identity. These concepts require objective and transparent guarantees to prevent any form of discrimination. In 2026, the removal from the registry of at least 2,000 lawyers and notaries took place without there being any guarantees of procedure and defense. Also, we believe that international monitoring over Nicaragua should include... We call on the international community to ensure that Nicaraguans can study, research, and graduate. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:39:56]: Thank you. I give the floor to the representative of United Nations Watch, intervention by video. UN Watch [1:40:03]: Mr. President, we welcome the report on Nicaragua. But today we ask, how much more evidence does the world need? Since 2018, the co-presidents, Daniel Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo, have crushed dissent through killings, torture, arbitrary detention, forced exile, and the stripping of citizenship. They imprisoned and exiled my friend Felix Maradiaga, the presidential candidate. They jailed and expelled Bishop Rolando Alvarez. They shut down more than 5,600 civil society organizations. They confiscated universities and silenced independent media. And now Ortega has announced, I quote, "There won't be elections here again, Mr. President." A dictator is abolishing the right of an entire people to choose their government. And so we asked the United Nations on April 8th, why did you elect Nicaragua, together with Cuba and Sudan, to your Committee on Non-Governmental Organizations, the UN body that oversees human rights activists? We ask Canada, France, Spain, Norway, Netherlands, Australia, UK, Switzerland, Austria, and Finland, why did you let this pass? You could have demanded a vote. You could have taken the floor to object, as the US did. You did neither. How could you place a regime that shut down thousands of NGOs in charge of NGOs? How could you elect a regime that itself bans elections? You speak of protecting civil society, yet when the moment came to act, you threw us to the wolves, distinguished delegates. Nicaraguans victims deserve justice. They deserve freedom. They deserve elections. Release the political prisoners, restore democracy, and never again give the persecutors power over the persecuted. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:41:37]: Thank you. But before moving to the next speaker, I call upon all speakers to once again uphold UN standards when referring to countries. I now give the floor to the representative of Geneva for Human Rights, intervention via video. Geneva for Human Rights [1:41:59]: Thank you, President. Geneva for Human Rights and the Peasant Movement of Nicaragua express deep concern about the closure of civic space and the worsening of national and transnational repression, particularly against peasants, indigenous peoples, and Afro-descendants. The presidency of Ortega and Murillo continues to use arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, confiscation of property and arbitrary deprivation of citizenship to silence those trying to exercise their rights. Currently, dozens of people remain deprived of their liberty, including Jose Danilo Giron, Claudio Munguia, Telma Montenegro and Douglas Perez Centeno, as well as eight people linked to indigenous leader Brooklyn Rivera, whose death in state custody this year shows the irreversible consequences of these practices. Reinaldo Picado, a Nicaraguan peasant who was granted refugee status in Costa Rica after Nicaragua requested his extradition, suffered this week a new armed attack. This is a new case of transnational repression. We demand the release of those who remain detained and political prisoners and proof of life for those who remain disappeared. We call on states to respect the principle of non-refoulement and to effectively protect those seeking international protection. Finally, we urge this Council to maintain attention on Nicaragua and to strengthen existing mandates to ensure accountability. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:43:31]: Thank you. I give the floor to the representative of World Organization Against Torture. OMCT [1:43:39]: We welcome the report presented. In this context, we denounce the increased persecution in Nicaragua and beyond its borders against any person considered to be a dissident. This is a form of persecution with serious implications for the lives of victims. On 14 September this year, there was a second attempted murder in Costa Rica against the opposition member Reynaldo Picado, who was hit by three bullets. And this repression is not limited to Costa Rica. On 26 July, the Nicaraguan President-in-Exile Marvin Gamez took seven bullets and his partner took two, but they both survived. Another example of persecution is the removal from the Supreme Court of Justice registry of more than 2,000 lawyers, including four from my organization, who have have continued to document human rights violations while in exile. During the last session of this Council, the Colectivo Nicaragua Nunca Mas registered the fact that enforced disappearances are on the rise, with 23 people currently disappeared, including Mayagna indigenous persons and the relatives of the indigenous leader Brooklyn Rivera. Also, The situation of political prisoners is alarming. That's why Nicaragua was included in the high-risk category for torture according to the Global Torture Index of the World Organization Against Torture. In this context, action by the international community is not an option. We call on all possible measures to be taken in order to protect victims and to strengthen the mandates of the Group of Human Rights Experts and OHCHR. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:45:11]: Thank you. I give the floor to the representative of Lawyers for Lawyers for a joint statement, intervention by video. Lawyers for Lawyers [1:45:21]: Lawyers for Lawyers and Lawyers Rights Watch Canada welcome the report of the High Commissioner, which documents the denial of the right to legal representation of one's choosing. In Nicaragua, lawyers face persecution, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance and exile as a consequence of the exercise of their professional duties. while restrictions on access to case files interfere with their ability to effectively represent their clients. This situation worsened in July when the Supreme Court removed at least 2,000 lawyers from its registry without prior proceedings or official notification. Subsequently, the court's technical secretariat ordered the immediate reporting of judgments issued against legal professionals, further increasing control over the exercise of the legal profession. We urge this Council to maintain scrutiny of attacks on the independence of the legal profession and their consequences for access to justice and the rule of law in Nicaragua. We further urge the Government of Nicaragua to re-establish cooperation with the United Nations and to allow the Office of the High Commissioner access to the country, to ensure that lawyers can perform their professional duties independently and without interference or reprisals, and to reinstate the right to practice of those who have been arbitrarily removed from the registry, ensuring full respect for due process guarantees. Many thanks. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:46:47]: Thank you. I give the floor to the representative of International Bar Association intervention by video. IBAHRI [1:46:56]: The Human Rights Institute of the International Bar Association is deeply alarmed by the persistent and ever-growing authoritarianism in Nicaragua. The government of President Ortega has de facto control over the main powers of the state, having eliminated all separation of powers and cancelled the next elections and declared that in Nicaragua there will be no more elections. To express disagreement within the country has grave consequences, as those who are perceived as opposition members are silenced in a systemic way through documented violations, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention, forced disappearances, arbitrary stripping of citizenship, to the point that these have been recognized as being crimes against humanity in Nicaragua. Through the constitutional reform approved this month, a pathway has been opened to prevent opposition figures from taking part in elections. In July, the government arbitrarily cancelled the credentials of many lawyers in Nicaragua and in exile, depriving citizens of the right to independent legal defence. We urge the international community to respond firmly to the accelerated authoritarian consolidation in Nicaragua through a coordinated and useful strategy, and to use all possible ways to ensure accountability for international crimes that have been committed and to promote the strengthening of the mandates of the Group of Human Rights Experts and OHCHR. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:48:26]: Thank you. I give the floor to the representative of International Federation for Human Rights Leagues. FIDH [1:48:35]: Mr. Vice President, the Ortega-Murillo administration has deepened its authoritarianism through a constitutional reform that consolidates its plan to remain in power, extends the presidential term to seven years, and bans the political participation of individuals considered opponents. We are deeply concerned about the persistent violations of civil and political rights. In addition to keeping hundreds of people under police control and surveillance, the increase in arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances has become a mechanism of systematic repression aimed at sowing terror. The State currently holds 60 people in prison for political reasons under inhumane conditions, 23 of whom are disappeared. Among them are Carlos Brenes and his wife, Salvadora Martinez, as well as the relatives of indigenous leader Brooklyn Rivera, who have not been heard from since they demanded justice for his death in State custody. We call for information about their whereabouts and the immediate release of all these individuals. In this context of extreme hostility, the work of human rights defenders has become even more dangerous than it already was. The state has built a sophisticated system of digital persecution and mass surveillance to control and silence every critical voice. We urge the Council to maintain its attention on the grave situation in Nicaragua and to support the efforts of those defending human rights and democracy. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:49:46]: Thank you. I give the floor to the representative of Peace Brigades International. Indigenous Mayangna leader · Luis Ben Taylor [1:49:55]: President and Council members, I am Luis Ben Taylor, an indigenous Mayanga leader, and I am here to denounce the very serious situation facing the Mayanga people in Nicaragua and to ask for the international community's urgent attention. ancestral land is not just the geographic space, it is our home, our collective memory, our identity, and the bedrock of our existence. We are facing a multidimensional crisis that is threatening our physical, cultural, and political and territorial survival. We have been forcibly dispossessed due to the occupation of our land, violence, and the killing of community leaders. Eight Mayangar forest guards and four indigenous leaders remain arbitrarily detained. The Wilu and Kitangar community remains under siege, and this is just one example of the violence endured and the lack of protection from the state. To this, you have to add the expansion of mining licenses and extractive activities in indigenous land without consultation or free, prior and informed consent. There are currently 63 mining sites that are located on indigenous land and land of people of African descent. The Mayangna territories call on this Council to not allow that our tragedy become normal, nor that our territories be converted into sacrifice areas. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:51:13]: Thank you. This was the last speaker we could accommodate this dialogue. I now give the floor to Mr. Mathias Benke, Regional Director, ad interim for the Americas, for his concluding remarks. OHCHR · Regional Director ad interim, Americas · Mathias Benke [1:51:33]: Gracias. Thank you, Vice-President. I'd like to begin by thanking all delegations for their comments and observations and recommendations. I have some response to the questions, but I'd like to also then wrap up with three concluding comments. First of all, the impact of Repression continues to worsen. Repression in Nicaragua has had a cumulative effect and a very deep effect since 2008 on the lives of hundreds of thousands of people and their family members. Arbitrary deprivation of liberty, torture and ill treatment, enforced disappearance, persecution of critical voices, exile and stripping of citizenship, amongst other serious violations. Secondly, the human rights crisis is not conducive to a healthy electoral environment. The human rights crisis continues to worsen, and the gradual weakening of the rule of law, of democracy, and of the institutional checks and balances has led to the almost total shutdown of civic space and political participation for those who are not aligned with the government party These conditions, along with the full enjoyment of freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and association, and the right to vote and to be elected, are crucial for the holding of free and genuinely authentic elections. Thirdly, Nicaragua is setting an alarming precedent about the limits on the exercise of power at the regional and global levels. The structural limits on human rights and the drastic collapse of the rule of law has led to isolation from regional and universal human rights mechanisms, and this poses a challenge which goes beyond Nicaragua itself. We call on the international community to step up efforts in order to prevent that these setbacks grow any worse. By Member States about what more could be done in a number of areas. Let me just add these following points. First, we thank, of course, Member States for their continued support for the work of the Office on Nicaragua. Sustained international attention and solidarity do remain essential. We remain committed to exercise our mandate in an objective, impartial way, and we remain ready for an engagement with Nicaragua and your support in that regard is always of help. The international community can support human rights and democratic space through the following measures. Maintaining human rights and civic space as priorities in all engagement with Nicaragua and encouraging the country's cooperation with international human rights mechanisms and the office. Supporting Nicaraguan civil society organizations, human rights defenders, independent media and journalists both inside and outside the country, through financial, technical, and legal assistance, as well as by strengthening protection measures for those actors and all individuals at risk, including through asylum. Investigating allegations of transnational repression and providing effective protection to victims and enhance international judicial cooperation to adjudicate those cases. continuing support for organizations working in exile so they can document violations, provide assistance to victims, and contribute to future democratic process. Meaningful political participation requires an environment in which freedoms of expression, association, peaceful assembly, and religion or belief are fully respected. The international community should continue to encourage Nicaragua to End repression, arbitrary detention, and forced disappearances, harassment, and intimidation. Release all persons arbitrarily deprived of their liberty. Ensure non-discriminatory political participation, including by allowing political parties to register and operate freely. Guarantee access to public debate and information, and create conditions for free and genuine elections grounded in the rule of law and respect for human rights. Insist on the need of creating conditions for credible elections, including access by independent electoral observers. And finally, to contribute to the establishment of accountability mechanisms. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [1:56:34]: Thank you. This is the end of this interactive dialogue. I wish to thank Mr. Benke for his participation. We'll now take a short break, uh, before the interactive dialogue with the special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation. Excellencies, distinguished participants, kindly take your seats. We'll start now. Excellencies, distinguished participants, we shall now begin the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation. It is my pleasure to welcome the mandate holder, Ms. Mariana Katzarova. The list of speakers will close in 15 minutes. And I now give the floor to the Special Rapporteur to present her report. UN · Special Rapporteur · Mariana Katzarova [2:03:07]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President, Ambassador Dacke. I must say it has been very stressful with you guys changing the schedule every half an hour, but we're all here now. If I'm sweating a little bit for the picture, please excuse me. Mr. Vice President, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my honor to present my report on transnational repression by the Russian Federation. Exporting the Rule of Fear Beyond Borders, the first ever country-specific report on transnational repression at the United Nations. In the past three years, before this Council, I have described the rule of fear inside Russia. Today, I report on how Russia is exporting that rule of fear. In preparing this report, I spoke with individuals followed and threatened abroad. with families used to coerce them from inside Russia, and with survivors of suspected poisonings. One of them is human rights defender Natalia Arnaout. She has said, "We should not lose vigilance. Even after leaving Russia, it does not forget about us." Honoured guests, transnational repression is not a series of isolated incidents. but the continuation beyond Russia's borders of the same structural, state-sponsored system of repression I have documented at home. Deliberate, institutionalized, and adaptive. Repression at home and aggression abroad are one policy. Transnational repression is where the two meet. Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, between 650,000 and 900,000 people have left Russia. As civil society in exile grows, so does the machinery to pursue it. For direct physical attacks, the Russian Federation ranks third among 10 states responsible for over 70% of documented incidents worldwide over the past decade. Sentences in absentia rose from four in 2022 to 157 in 2025. My report draws on close to 400 documented cases of Russian transnational repression. The Russian Federation acts in three capacities: as perpetrator abroad, as the state whose listings and prosecutions others enforce, and as a host state enabling other governments. At least nine departments of the Federal Security Service are involved, with documented incidents worldwide, alongside military and foreign intelligence, prosecutors, and ministries. Mr. Vice President, Excellencies, the gravest form is targeted violence and threats to life. The Russian Federation has a long history of political assassinations, including the killing of Alexander Litvinenko with the radioactive isotope polonium-210 in London in 2006, former Chechen fighter A national of Georgia, Zelimkhan Kangashvili, was shot dead in Berlin in 2019 by a Russian operative whom German courts found to be acting on Russian government orders. Journalists and human rights defenders in exile have reported suspected poisonings too. Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Russian Federation has become one of the most prolific perpetrators of transnational repression. Accountability is non-existent. Russian authorities deny involvement, at times promoting or honoring alleged perpetrators. For example, the first deputy head of the State Duma Committee on Security and Anti-Corruption, Andrei Lugovoy, was identified by UK authorities as the prime suspect in the 2006 polonium poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko in London. But Russia refused to extradite him to stand trial. He was instead elected a member of parliament. The defining change since 2022 is not only scale, but method. The repression now travels through arrest warrants, databases, banks, digital systems, and proxies, cheaper, scalable, and built to evade attribution. Forcible return is the most dangerous because it delivers the target into hands of the authorities from whom protection was sought. Torture survivor Mansur Mavlayev, a critic of the Chechen leadership, who fled Chechnya, twice attempted suicide, the second time on 15 September, after nearly 18 months in detention in Kazakhstan over a Russian extradition request. After repeated rejections of Mavlayev's asylum claim, he remains if returned at risk of torture or death. Yet, host states like Kazakhstan continue to honor legal assistance agreements with Russia, leaving victims in imminent danger. Others are not reached in time. Georgy Pirogov, a Russian national who had lived abroad since 2022, disappeared in Uzbekistan in 2024, resurfaced in a Moscow detention cell, and this July was sentenced to 23 years imprisonment on treason charges. Russian authorities have used such charges as foreign agent and undesirable designations, war censorship, law charges, and fabricated non-political charges to seek extradition of exiled dissidents to the Russian Federation and to place foreign nationals, including the prosecutor of the International Criminal Court and eight judges of that court, on international wanted lists. Police cooperation itself facilitates persecution. The Russian Federation is the most prolific user of Interpol Red Notices. Roughly half of the Russia-related cases reviewed by Interpol's oversight body in 2024 were found non-compliant with its constitution. The Commonwealth of Independent States wanted list has no equivalent screening or vetting procedure for politically motivated cases. None. Excellencies, repression now also travels through the international financial system. ROSFIN monitoring's register of terrorists and extremists contains 21,541 individuals. At least 5,063, nearly one in four, were prosecuted on politically motivated charges. Those designations are disseminated automatically and unvetted through global compliance databases enacted on banks without verification. private companies far from Russia effectuate Russian repression, often without knowing it. In June 2026, over the info, whose monitoring underpins international reporting, was itself placed on that register. That is reprisal against the evidence itself. By criminalizing its sources, the Russian Federation makes its own conduct harder to verify. Designations have also blocked independent Russian organizations from United Nations processes. The Russian government designated the Batani International Foundation as undesirable organization in relation for its engagement with United Nations Indigenous Rights Mechanisms. Reprisals of this kind reach into the work of this council. On 4 August 26, Federal Law No. 284-FZ authorized 14 categories of restrictions on listed persons abroad: assets freezes, passports, consular services, banking, property. They retain the duties of citizenship and lose most of its substance. My report calls this civic death, de facto statelessness for people who remain on paper citizens. Digital repression has become central. In early 2016, a campaign against secure messaging accounts compromised defenders, journalists, and more than 300 European politicians. Zarema Musaeva was taken from Nizhny Novgorod to Chechnya and imprisoned. The European Court of Human Rights found that her detention was retaliation for her son's activities. Weeks before she was seized, at least 37 of that family's relatives had been detained in Chechnya. When they cannot reach you, they target your mother. A designation made in Russia is not lifted by leaving Russia. The 2023 Supreme Court ruling on the international LGBT movement as an extremist organization follows people into exile, as do terrorism charges against indigenous people's advocates and women fleeing forced marriage and domestic violence in Chechnya. Selima Khadissova, who fled domestic violence, was detained on arrival in Bosnia and Herzegovina on a Russian red notice for terrorism. Bosnia and Herzegovina refused and granted her asylum. I must report again that the Russian authorities have not replied to my regular request for information or my repeated request to visit, and continue not to recognize this mandate. That refusal does not diminish their obligations. Mr. Vice President, Excellencies, transnational repression engages the obligations of both the originating state and the state on whose territory it takes place. Moreover, there is nothing inevitable about transnational repression. Where host states meet their obligations, it fails. Nevertheless, No binding international instrument specifically addresses transnational repression, and few states define the concept in domestic law. A dangerous protection gap thus exists in the absence of harmonized definitions, host state duties and frameworks for interstate cooperation, leaving victims exposed particularly to the bureaucratic, digital and low visibility forms of transnational repression that now prevail. Mr. Vice President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, the UN member states should elaborate a dedicated international human instrument, a binding United Nations convention on transnational repression with a monitoring and review mechanism, establishing a definition, provisions for prevention, accountability, and the responsibility of member states to close the protection gap. I call on this council to support the development of such a binding international instrument. I empathetically urge member states Treat transnational repression as a human rights issue, not solely as espionage or foreign interference. Comply strictly with non-refoulement and scrutinize Russian Interpol notices and wanted list entries. Require banks, compliance database providers, and their regulators to verify Russian designations and provide remedy. Protect and sustain funding for Russian independent media, human rights defenders, and civil society in exile. And protect exiled communities rather than securitize them. A response framed exclusively as national security and counterintelligence response turns victims of repression into suspects and leaves them unprotected. To the Russian Federation, I say, Seize all acts of transnational repression. Repeal federal law 284, the foreign agent, undesirable organization, and war censorship laws. End sentencing in absence and abuse of national security and public safety legislation, such as treason, espionage, counterterrorism, and extremism-related charges to silence dissent and anti-war expression, and placing victims of repression on terrorist and extremist registers, cooperate with this mandate. Excellencies and honored guests, the individuals in this report do not ask for privileged treatment. They ask for protection from forcible return to torture and sometimes death. the ability to speak, keep a bank account, hold a valid passport, and continue their human rights work in exile, and to telephone their mother without putting her in danger. Russian transnational repression is at once a violation of international human rights law and a challenge to host state sovereignty and the international legal order. It must be stopped. Mr. Vice-President, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, I look forward to our interactive dialogue and to your questions. Thank you for your attention. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:17:44]: Thank you. According to our practice, we shall start by hearing the delegation of the country concerned. I understand that the delegation of the Russian Federation is not in the room. I now invite interested delegations to ask questions to the Special Rapporteur and to make comments on her report. The speaking time is one minute, 30 seconds for all. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Latvia on behalf of a group of countries. This is going to be by Her Excellency, Mrs. Baiba Brezs, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia, by a video statement. Latvia · Nordic-Baltic states · Minister of Foreign Affairs · Baiba Brezs [2:18:33]: The Nordic-Baltic States strongly support the Special Rapporteur's mandate. We remain gravely concerned about the continuing dramatic erosion of human rights in Russia. Anti-war voices, political opponents, journalists, human rights defenders are silenced, imprisoned or forced into exile. Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilian detainees are tortured, ill-treated and executed. In the occupied territories of Ukraine, Russia continues to suppress fundamental freedoms, persecute those opposing the occupation, indoctrinate and militarize Ukrainian children, and unlawfully deport and forcibly transfer them. The repressions do not stop at Russia's borders. Recent legislative measures impose wide-ranging restrictions on Russian exiles, escalating repression at home and transnational repression abroad. Russia also seeks to destabilize democratic societies through information manipulation, interference in democratic and thus abuses the very human rights principles it purports to defend, but systematically violates at home. This forms part of Russia's broader effort to undermine international law through politically motivated distortion of legal norms. We call on Russia to end discrimination and repression on all grounds, and to ensure that perpetrators of all human rights violations are held accountable. The judgments of the European Human Rights Court have laid bare the scale and gravity of human rights violations in Russia. Russia must comply with these judgments. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:20:05]: Thank you. I give the floor to the Distinguished Representative of the European Union. EU [2:20:12]: Thank you, Mr. Vice-President. The EU thanks the Special Rapporteur for her report that shows how the structural system of repression within Russia extends beyond the country, aimed at silencing dissent and criticism. We fully support the renewal of the important mandate of the Special Rapporteur that represents a lifeline for Russian civil society. The EU is alarmed about the findings of the report. Assassinations and poisonings, abuse of legal and administrative procedures, digital operations, and abuse of Interpol, all targeting individuals inside and outside Russia. The EU condemns the structural intensifying system of human rights violations. We remain deeply concerned about the unabated system, systematic crackdown on civil society in Russia, those designated as foreign agents or extremists, human rights defenders, LGBTI persons, lawyers, media and journalists. The recent elections underscored further deterioration of the political environment in Russia. We. Call on Russia to end domestic as well as transnational repression and discrimination on all grounds, including based on sexual orientation and gender identity. The EU refers to its previous statements expressing strong concern on the use of torture, misuse of judiciary, and forced disappearances and sexual and gender-based violence in Russia. The EU urges Russia to immediately and unconditionally release and rehabilitate all those arbitrarily detained. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:21:47]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Luxembourg. Luxembourg [2:21:56]: President, Luxembourg aligns itself with the statement made by the European Union. Madame Special Rapporteur, we strongly deplore the persistent refusal of Russian authorities to cooperate with your mandate. Russia does not satisfy itself by stifling critical voices within its borders, but exports its methods well outside them. Targeted murders, forced returns, cyber attacks, and administrative pressure become systematic weapons to muzzle exiled members of the opposition. Journalists, members of civil society, and human rights defenders from Russia, which are exiled, see ever more aggressive transnational repression. Their work is crucial, and they're persecuted even outside Russia. We see a real link to the large-scale unjustified invasion in Ukraine. The rapporteur notes that acts of transnational repression committed by Russia have multiplied since February 2022. The report highlights a particularly alarming situation for the most vulnerable groups, such as representatives of ethnic minorities, women fleeing forced marriage or domestic violence, LGBTQI persons that are named as extremists and terrorists are persecuted even when in exile. Madame Katzarova, what measures can the States take to effectively protect these victims, particularly the most vulnerable? Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:23:27]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Switzerland. Switzerland [2:23:33]: Vice President, Switzerland wishes to thank the Special Rapporteur for her report. We are deeply concerned by the conclusions draws regarding the breadth and systematic nature of the transnational repression by the Russian Federation. Over and beyond the individual acts which are documented, this is a practice aiming to silence critical voices and it has a real impact on freedom of expression of association as well as for the life and the security of persons. Human rights defenders, journalists and civil society actors are particularly exposed, including when they're abroad. Switzerland calls on the Russian Federation to put an end to all forms of transnational repression, to guarantee the full exercise of human rights, and to abstain from using legislations on security, extremism, and terrorism to restrict the peaceful exercise of these rights. This is also true of the digital sphere. The Russian Federation must abstain from using digital technology to surveil, harass, or intimidate critical voices outside its borders. As the host state of the Human Rights Council, Switzerland grants particular importance to the fact that every person must fully, freely cooperate without fear of reprisals with international human rights mechanisms. Madam Special Rapporteur, how can states better protect persons against transnational repression, including in the digital sphere? Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:25:05]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Malta. Malta [2:25:11]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Malta aligns itself with the EU statement and thanks the Special Rapporteur for her report. We remain seriously concerned on the deteriorating human rights situation in the Russian Federation and the introduction of legislation and other legislative measures used to target individuals both within the Russian Federation as well as those living outside its borders. Several human rights organizations, media outlets, journalists, and human rights defenders have been labeled as foreign agents or undesirables, a classification used as justification for severe reprisals against them. Such actions have also been extended to those living abroad. We are concerned with the information in the report on Russia's misuse of Interpol red notices, with roughly half of the Russian Federation related cases reviewed by the Interpol oversight body in 2024 were found non-compliant with the organization's Constitution we urge the Russian Federation to seize all such actions Malta recalls that the Russian Federation has freely undertaken human rights obligations through its ratification of the covenants and conventions As this year we commemorate 60 years of the ICCPR and the ICESCR, this anniversary should be marked by states' compliance with them and protection of human rights to rights holders, and not transnational repression and harmful legislative designations. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:26:40]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Romania. Romania [2:26:46]: Thank you, Vice-President. Romania aligns with the EU's statement and thanks the Special Rapporteur for her report that sheds light over the consolidation of a repressive system that increasingly operates both within Russia and beyond its borders. Your findings related to the targeting of journalists, human rights defenders, civil society representatives, anti-war activists and other critical voices in exile through targeted violence and threats to life, intimidation, digital attacks, surveillance, administrative and legal measures warrants our greatest concern. At the same time, it highlights the scale of the extent of Russia's structural system of repression, as also inside the country the repression continues. Critical voices are further silenced as the number of arbitrary detention and politically motivated criminal prosecutions remain widespread. The civic space is crushed under the extensive use of foreign agent, undesirable, and extremist legislation. The pervasive climate of impunity and the lack of accountability for violations and repression of dissent allow such practices to thrive unabashed. Romania recalls that the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, as well as cooperation with international human rights monitoring mechanisms, are essential to ensuring credible dialogue and preventing impunity for serious human rights violations. We call on Russia to re-engage constructively with the international human rights system, to cooperate fully with your mandate, and to take concrete steps to meet its international human rights obligations. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:28:17]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Belarus. Belarus [2:28:24]: Thank you, Vice-President. We consider that the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights in the Russian Federation and all of its work has nothing to do with the administration of human rights. The latest report looks at so-called transnational repression. It is written according to stereotypes which have already been applied, including against my country, and it contains a compilation of a speculation aimed at tarnishing the Government's action. It is unacceptable that the Western countries' country mechanisms, which are set up at their request of the HSE, have become a factor hampering cooperation on human rights. new modern topics are used as a pretext, and they use them to interfere in interstate cooperation on providing humanitarian legal aid, but also they're trying to impose the line that they defend regarding the special mechanisms. The situation of the human rights around the world would be significantly improved if international human rights mechanisms were not used at the political request of states who claim to be champions in the field of human rights, but showed due vigilance regarding the threats and inequality and racial discrimination, as well as the repression of independent voices, which characterize, which differ, rather, from the mainstream of the Western elite's views and so on. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:29:57]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Slovenia. Slovenia [2:30:03]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Slovenia aligns itself with the EU statement. We thank the Special Rapporteur for her report. Madam Special Rapporteur, Slovenia remains deeply concerned by the systematic and permanent nature of domestic repressive measures and transnational repression abroad. that have intensified following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, especially towards civil society, human rights defenders, political opponents, independent media, and journalists. Furthermore, we remain gravely concerned by the widespread and systematic arbitrary detention and ill treatment of political prisoners, Ukrainian prisoners of war, and civilian detainees, which is a clear violation of international humanitarian and human rights law. We expressed increasing concern about the vulnerability of the most marginalized groups in Russian society. In light of the normalization of identity-based discrimination, Slovenia emphasized the urgent need to uphold and effectively protect the rights of every individual. We urge Russia to immediately stop all acts of transnational repression, including surveillance operations, digital attacks, coercion of relatives, and the extraterritorial abuse of legal and administrative procedures. We further urge Russia to cooperate fully with all UN and regional mechanisms related to its human rights situation. In conclusion, Madam Special Rapporteur, what concrete steps can the international community take to enhance accountability for structural human rights violations? I thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:31:45]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ukraine. Ukraine [2:31:52]: Mr. President, Ukraine thanks the Special Rapporteur for her important report. Its findings expose a disturbing reality: Russia's repression doesn't stop at its borders. As the report concludes, it has become a widespread, systematic, and institutionalized policy which has expanded significantly in scale and geographical reach since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This connection is fundamental. Russia's aggression abroad and repression at home are mutually reinforced elements of the same policy. policy aimed at silencing dissent, suppressing anti-war voices, and spreading fear far beyond its territory. We are particularly concerned that Russia's security services monitor Russian dissidents, but also Ukrainians and other foreign nationals abroad, using infiltration, recruited specialists, and digital surveillance. The documented abuse of Interpol, extradition procedures, and international law enforcement cooperation is equally alarming, international mechanisms created to combat crime must never become instruments of political persecution. Ukraine calls upon States to strengthen protection of those targeted, rigorously scrutinize Russia's extradition and Interpol requests, uphold the principle of non-refoulement, and ensure accountability for perpetrators and facilitators of transnational repression. Madam Special Rapporteur, what concrete steps should States take to prevent Russia from misusing international law enforcement and financial institutions? Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:33:30]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Czechia. Czechia [2:33:35]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. The Czech Republic aligns with the EU statement. We reaffirm our strong support for the Special Rapporteur's mandate and its renewal. The space for civil society and opposition in Russia continues to shrink. Peaceful critics of Russia's war against Ukraine face lengthy prison sentences. Independent media and civil society organisations are systematically dismantled. The designation of Memorial, a Nobel Peace Prize-winning group, as an extremist organization exemplifies Russia's broader efforts to silence independent voices through legislation on so-called foreign agents, undesirable organizations, and extremism. The repression does not end when its victims leave the country. It extends beyond Russia's borders, seeking to deter human rights defenders from engaging governments, international institutions, and human rights mechanisms. We call on Russia to end these practices, comply with its international obligations, and release all those detained for exercising their fundamental freedoms. We reiterate our call for the release of unlawfully detained Ukrainian civilians and for the safe return of Ukrainian children deported to Russia. Madam Special Rapporteur, what steps can States take to ensure effective protection for human rights defenders who continue their work from exile? I thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:35:02]: Thank you. I give the floor to the Distinguished Representative of Austria. Austria [2:35:08]: Thank you. Austria aligns itself with the EU statement and welcomes the report by the Special Rapporteur. Austria remains gravely concerned by the continuing deterioration of human rights in the Russian Federation. We are particularly alarmed by the new Russian law number 284-FZ that strips Russian exiles of a range of political rights and is used as another tool to silence critical voices, creating an environment of fear and repression. Austria condemns the sharp rise in arbitrary arrests and detentions, the widespread and systematic use of torture and ill-treatment in custody, and the near total impunity enjoyed by perpetrators. We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all persons detained for peacefully exercising their fundamental freedoms. Austria also condemns the grave violations of human rights and international law committed by Russian forces in Ukraine, including the forcible transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children, and underscores that accountability for these violations is essential. Austria calls on the Russian Federation to cooperate with the Special Rapporteur and other UN mechanisms and to restore civic and political space. Madam Special Rapporteur, in closing, let me assure you of our continued support. We call on all Council members to support the resolution extending your mandate. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:36:30]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of France. France [2:36:37]: Thank you, President. Special rapporteur, France thanks you for your report, and we reiterate our support for your mandate, which is crucial for documenting the ongoing deterioration of fundamental rights and public freedom in Russia. and, in this case, to document the methodical and orchestrated system of transnational repression that is imposed by Russia in gross violation of international law. Since the start of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, and more specifically over the course of the last year, the Russian authorities have stepped up their repression. France laments the designation by the Russian Supreme Court of the Memorial International Public Movement as an extremist movement. The prohibition of its activities in Russia, as well as the inclusion of OVD-Info on the list of "terrorist and extremist organizations," reflects the country's will to crack down on any criticism against the government. Russia exports and diversifies its repressive arsenal well beyond its borders, despite its international obligations. As your report documents in a very rigorous way, the Russian authorities are doing that most to reduce to silence their citizens, both at home and abroad, through physical violence, but also by instrumentalizing police and judicial cooperation mechanisms and by resorting in a systematic way to administrative retaliation measures and digital surveillance. France strongly condemns these actions, which threaten the sovereignty of states and are contrary to human rights. France calls on the Russian authorities to respect their international obligations on fundamental freedoms and human rights and to release all people detained on political grounds and to immediately cease any legal proceedings brought against them. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:38:19]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Netherlands (Kingdom of the) [2:38:25]: Vice President, we would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for her report and her extensive work on the human rights situation in the Russian Federation. Throughout recent years, we have seen how the Russian Federation's external aggression and internal repression are closely intertwined. As today's report shows, this repression is now crossing borders. In many of our countries, Russia is intensifying the silencing of critical voices, voices of people that already fled Russia because their home state was not a safe haven, but a place of prosecution. Russia is now ranking third among the world's main perpetrators of transnational repression. Third, we call on Russia to end these practices and repeal enabling legislation. legislation illustrated by the recent adoption of Federal Law No. 284 on 4 August, restricting measures against persons residing outside Russia. It extends Russia's repressive apparatus beyond its territory and threatens both fundamental rights but also the sovereignty of host states. urge Russia to immediately rescind its politically motivated designations, to end the weaponization of extremism legislation against individuals and organizations peacefully exercising fundamental rights, which includes their right to participate in fair and free elections, and to cease all acts of transnational repression, including threats to life, surveillance, and digital attacks. Madam Special Rapporteur, in light of Russia's misuse, what safeguards and accountability mechanisms are needed to ensure that international law protects human rights rather than facilitates violation. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:39:59]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Poland. Poland [2:40:05]: Mr. Vice President, Madame Special Rapporteur, Poland aligns itself with the EU statement and wishes to thank Special Rapporteur Kacsohova for her report. The structural system of human rights violations and the systemic repression have been the hallmarks of the Kremlin behavior for decades. But since the beginning of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the intimidation, harassment, and attacks of those expressing dissent have risen to a new level. Repressive legislation that criminalizes dissent, pervasive propaganda and disinformation, both in and outside of Russia, use of arbitrary detention, and widespread and systematic use of torture and ill treatment have created the unprecedented climate of fear and intimidation for civil society, activists, journalists, media workers, and political opponents in Russia. The scale of repressions starts to resemble the gloomiest times of the Soviet Union. In your report, Madam Special Rapporteur, you demonstrated how the domestic repression has been exported beyond Russia and how transnational repression has become vital in consolidation of authoritarian rule and in conducting war of aggression against Ukraine. Abuse of international cooperation mechanisms such as Interpol Red Notice, To seek forcible return of individuals to Russia, continued surveillance of Russian diaspora, also with the use of digital tools, coercion by proxies to obscure attribution, as well as intimidation of relatives remaining in Russia, have created a sophisticated toolbox to silence dissent and eliminate opponents. Madam Special Rapporteur, allow me to thank you for your important work and express our full support for your mandate. Documenting human rights violations and methods applied by the regime in this regard are key to raising awareness and ensuring Russia's accountability. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:41:52]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Slovakia. Slovakia [2:41:58]: Mr. Vice President, Slovakia aligns itself with the EU statement. We highly value the work of the Special Rapporteur and thank her for the analysis provided in the report. We remain deeply concerned about continued restrictions on fundamental freedoms and the increased use of repressive measures beyond Russia's borders. Particularly alarming are reports of the targeting of human rights defenders, journalists, civil society representatives, and opposition voices. including through surveillance, intimidation, and the misuse of international cooperation mechanisms. We underline the importance of protecting individuals at risk of politically motivated prosecution, forced return, or other forms of transnational repression in full accordance with the international human rights law and the principle of non-refoulement. We firmly believe that the mandate of the Special Rapporteur serves as a crucial voice in promoting compliance with the Russian Federation with its international human rights obligations. Madam Special Rapporteur, what measures do you consider most important to strengthen the protection of individuals at risk of transnational repression? I thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:43:13]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Georgia. Georgia [2:43:18]: Mr. Vice President, we thank the Special Rapporteur for the report and for drawing the Council's attention to the continued deterioration of the human rights situation in the Russian Federation. The practices documented in the report also have a direct bearing on the human rights situation in Georgia's Abkhazia and Skhinovali regions, which remain illegally occupied and under the effective control of the Russian Federation. This has been consistently established by the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights and the International Criminal Court. For the population living in these regions, arbitrary detentions, torture, ill treatment, violations of the rights to life, health and property, restrictions of freedom of movement, and ethnic discrimination remain a persistent reality. We condemn the so-called presidential elections held in the occupied Tskhinvali region on 18 September 2026, as well as the establishment of the police stations of the Russian Federation on the sovereign territory of Georgia without the consent of the government of Georgia. These steps constitute yet another gross violation of Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity and the clear manifestation of Russia's policy directed towards the de facto annexation of Georgian regions. Against this background, international attention and accountability remain essential. Georgia, therefore, reiterates its call for effective international mechanisms to continue documenting violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and pursuing accountability. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:44:43]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the Distinguished Representative of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [2:44:51]: Thank you, Special Rapporteur. Your report's findings are stark and demonstrate that the Kremlin's system of domestic repression is extending beyond the country's borders. The UK condemns the continued deterioration in the Kremlin's dire domestic human rights record. The international community has a shared responsibility to protect and promote the values it upholds. We are concerned, but sadly not surprised, by your finding that Russia has become one of the world's most prolific perpetrators of transnational repression, and that these practices have intensified significantly since 2022, including, as you report, on UK soil. The UK condemns Russia's use of threats, surveillance, digital repression, cyber-enabled activity, and legal mechanisms to target activists, journalists, human rights defenders and anti-war voices, including those in exile. The UK reiterates its call for the Russian state to release all those imprisoned on political grounds, including for their opposition to Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine. The Russian authorities must uphold its international obligations and protect fundamental freedom of expression, association and religion or belief. Special Rapporteur, how can states best strengthen protection for those targeted by Russian transnational regression and ensure they can safely engage with international human rights mechanisms? HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:46:13]: Thank you. Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Albania. Albania [2:46:24]: Vice-President, Albania would like to thank Special Rapporteur Marianna Katsarova for her report. We are deeply concerned by the ongoing deterioration of human rights in the Russian Federation. The multiplication of arbitrary arrests, politically motivated proceedings, acts of torture and ill-treatment, as well as a death in detention, all reflect a persistent climate of impunity The abusive use of the law on foreign agents and undesirable organisations, extremism and national security all seek to muzzle independent voices. Journalists, lawyers, human rights defenders, political opponents and peaceful demonstrators are particularly targeted. Moreover, we condemn transnational repression exercised against people in exile and their relatives, as well as acts of intimidation and reprisals targeting those who cooperate with UN mechanisms. We call on the Russian authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all people detained for having peacefully exercised their rights. And we lament the lack of cooperation by the Russian Federation with the Special Rapporteur. And we believe that it is an essential mandate which must be renewed in order to preserve independent monitoring and ensure that ties can be maintained with Russian civil society and victims. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:47:51]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Montenegro. Montenegro [2:47:57]: The Special Rapporteur's findings are clear: transnational repression is an outward projection of Russia's domestic system of repression. Since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russia has sharply expanded its reach and methods, using restrictive foreign agent, undesirable organization, and war censorship regimes, alongside sophisticated administrative and digital tools. It also increasingly relies on proxies to obscure attribution. The report documents how Russia gives politically motivated proceedings and designations cross-border effect by abusing Interpol mechanisms and international wanted list, as well as extradition and mutual legal assistance requests. Restriction on travel documents, consular, and banking services can lead to financial exclusion and even de facto statelessness. As the Special Rapporteur concludes, using international cooperation to assert criminal jurisdiction over the peaceful exercise of freedom of expression, association, and political participation in exile constitutes an impermissible assertion of extraterritorial criminal jurisdiction. Effective scrutiny, non-refoulement, and stronger safeguards are essential to prevent politically motivated measures for gaining effect through international cooperation. Yet, an effective response must fundamentally address its root cause. Depression within Russia, the systematic crackdown on civil society, human rights defenders, independent media, and critical voices must end, and all those arbitrarily detained must be released. Madam Special Rapporteur, where should international action focus first? Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:49:31]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) [2:49:38]: Gracias. Thank you, Vice President. Venezuela notes with concern the persistent proliferation of specific country mandates established outside of the cooperation and consent of the state concerned. This deepens a policy of selectivity which, counter to the policy of this Council, underrodes its credibility. Country-specific mandates cannot really promote human rights when there is confrontation instead of dialogue with the state's concerns and when they give privilege to confrontation over genuine dialogue. This is particularly relevant as a comment in the face of the current UN financial crisis. In a context of ever more limited resources, this Council should be very careful to ensure that resources are used in a reasonable way and that any expenditure does contribute to promoting and protecting human rights. Venezuela rejects selectivity and double standards. in how we deal with human rights. The legitimacy of this Council depends precisely on its ability to exert objectivity and non-selectivity without mandates which are selected on a politically motivated basis. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:50:48]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of North Macedonia. North Macedonia [2:50:56]: Thank you, Mr Vice-President. North Macedonia thanks the Special Rapporteur for her presentation of the latest reports. We underscore the Special Rapporteur's important observation that the transnational repression must be addressed first and foremost as a matter of human rights concern, and not solely through the lens of national security and foreign interference. We are concerned by reports of transnational repression, including intimidation, surveillance, and other measures targeting individuals of civic society actors beyond the borders of the Russian Federation. The increasing use of restrictive legislation and designations such as foreign agents, undesirable, extremists and terrorists further constrain civic space and freedom of expression. We are also concerned by reports of the lack of effective and independent investigations in the cases of arbitrary detention, politically motivated prosecutions, torture and other forms of ill-treatment. Against this backdrop, how can the Council further strengthen the protection of individuals and organizations engaging with the United Nations human rights mechanisms, particularly when transnational repression risks undermining their ability to cooperate and safely with this mechanism? Such protection is essential for documenting human rights violations and advancing accountability. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:52:17]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Republic of Moldova. Republic of Moldova [2:52:24]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Welcome to today's dialogue, and we support the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, and thank you for her report. Madam Special Rapporteur, as indicated in the report, the widespread, systemic, and institutionalized transnational repression represents the continuation beyond the country's border of the structural system of repression by the government. The repression within the Russian Federation represents a deliberate strategy to silence dissent and anti-war expression, which escalated following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. We are appalled by the documented cases of torture and ill-treatment. These practices are unacceptable. In this case, states have to consider acting in full compliance with the principle of non-refoulement. Once again, we call on Russian authorities to engage fully and meaningfully with the international human rights mechanisms, including the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, granting her unhindered access to the country. Mr. Vice President, let me reiterate our call on the Russian Federation to stop the unprovoked and illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:53:25]: Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mali. Mali [2:53:32]: Vice President, Marly, thanks the Special Rapporteur for the presentation of her report on the human rights situation in the Russian Federation. My delegation would like to commend the Russian Federation's constant commitment to human rights through the establishment of a number of independent and public bodies, including the Presidential Council on the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights, the Human Rights Council under the President, the Human Rights Ombudsperson, and the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Russia. Malay would also like to note of concern the fact that the principle that both parties should be heard was not observed during the preparation of this report, despite many requests from the Russian government and a number of reservations it made, which were not ultimately taken into account. The observance of this principle would have enabled the Russian Federation to clarify multiple allegations that are contained in the report, thus preventing a biased and partial report from being submitted to this Council. It reflects but one view, which is that of those who gave the data and who are obviously hostile to the Russian Government. My delegation would like to commend the efforts made by the Russian Federation in the context of the prevention and fight against terrorism, violent extremism, and multiple forms of support provided to different states to fight against this scourge, which is and remains the main factor of human rights violations in many parts of the world, including in the Sahel. My delegation will continue to oppose the politicization of human rights and double standards and mandates which are set up without the consent of the state concerned. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:54:58]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Eritrea. Eritrea [2:55:05]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Eritrea recognizes that the protection of individuals from intimidation, threats, and violations of their fundamental rights, including beyond national borders, is an important matter. Eritrea remains concerned about the continued proliferation of country-specific mechanisms that has transformed the Human Rights Council into an arena of geopolitical confrontation. Human rights must not be selectively invoked or instrumentalized to advance political objectives against particular states. The Council's credibility depends upon equal standards, consistency, and non-selectivity. Allegations, particularly those involving sensitive questions of responsibility across borders, must be subjected to transparent, evidentiary standards, rather than being accepted on the basis of politically motivated narratives or unverified sources. Eritrea also believes that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states remain fundamental principles of the international order. Addressing genuine human rights concerns should therefore not be conflated with efforts to isolate, stigmatize, or politically pressure sovereign states. Eritrea urges the Council to resist double standards and selective application of human rights norms. The same scrutiny applied to one state must be applied consistently to all. The work of this Council is too important to merely be reduced to instruments of political confrontation. I thank you, Mr. Vice President. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:56:28]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Canada. Canada [2:56:35]: Thank you, Vice-President. Canada would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for her report. Canada remains deeply concerned by the human rights situation in Russia. As legislative elections draw near, we note with concern the country's systematic efforts to restrict civic and political space. Amongst other things, members of the opposition continue to be arrested and arbitrarily detained. The Russian authorities continue to expand the number of institutional and legal mechanisms they use to silence dissent. Canada condemns the clear contempt shown by Russia vis-a-vis its citizens' fundamental rights, and this is in violation of the country's international obligations. We urge Russia to grant the OSCE's electoral observers full access to the electoral process. Canada also condemns the transnational repression exercised by Russia, including in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories. Reports of acts of torture, arbitrary detentions, and the killings of civilians are deeply worrying. We call on Russia to immediately end its political repression. Madame Special Rapporteur, what specific mechanisms would you recommend in order to hold the Russian Federation accountable within the UN system and beyond? Thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:58:06]: Thank you. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Belgium. Belgium [2:58:13]: Mr. Vice President, Belgium thanks the Special Rapporteur for her continued and indispensable work. We remain deeply concerned by the continued deterioration of human rights in Russia and the systematic repression of journalists, lawyers, human rights defenders, political activists, and all those expressing dissenting views. The report's focus on transitional repression is particularly timely. Repression increasingly reaches beyond Russia's borders, affecting individuals who have sought refuge abroad. Journalists, human rights defenders, and anti-war activists continue to face intimidation, harassment, and threats designed to silence criticism and discourage public engagement. Belgium is particularly concerned by reports of pressure placed on relatives and associates who remain in Russia, as well as by the misuse of legal and administrative measures and international cooperation mechanisms to target individuals abroad. Such practices are not isolated incidents, but part of a systematic state's policy extending domestic repression beyond Russia's borders, creating a chilling effect and undermining fundamental freedoms. We call on the Russian Federation to end all forms of transnational repression, including acts targeting individuals abroad and their family members, and to fully cooperate with the Special Rapporteur and other international human rights mechanisms. Madam Special Rapporteur, what concrete steps can States take to prevent the misuse of legal, administrative, and international cooperation mechanisms for transnational repression, while ensuring accountability for those responsible? I thank you. HRC · Vice-President · Mr. Dacke [2:59:58]: Thank you. This was the last speaker we could accommodate at this dialogue. Excellencies, distinguished participants, this brings us to the end of this meeting. We will reconvene in the afternoon to continue the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation. and then to hold interactive dialogue on the report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Islamic Republic of Iran, followed by the interactive dialogue with the International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine. I hereby close the 90th meeting of the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council.