26th Meeting - 60th Session of Human Rights Council

Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, I call to order the 26th meeting of the 60th session of the Human Rights Council. Before we begin, let me remind you that the deadline for submission of draft proposals is tomorrow, 25th September, at 1pm. Any request for extension must be justified and communicated to the Secretariat before the deadline at the latest tomorrow at midday. An extension will only be approved by the Human Rights Council if there are exceptional circumstances and will be accorded only once for a maximum of 24 hours. Submission of a proposal after the deadline for submission will require the prior approval of the Council before being registered by the Secretariat. I'd also like to inform you that I have been contacted by the sponsors of the following draft resolutions with a view to extending the deadline until Friday 26th September at 1pm. Rising sea level and its adverse impact on human rights, item 3. Situation of human rights in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, item 4. Technical assistance and capacity building in the sphere of human rights, in Democratic Republic of Congo. That's item 10. Explanations have been provided. With your agreement, an extension for the deadline of submitting those draft resolutions will be given up to Friday 26 September, 1 p.m. I take it that this proposal receives your approval. Thank you. We'll now open an interactive dialogue with the Expert Mechanism on Indigenous Peoples. The list of speakers will close in 15 minutes. It's my honour to give the floor to Madame Anixa Alfred Cunningham, Chair of the Expert Mechanism, for her presentation.

Go ahead, please.

Presidente del Consejo de Derechos Humanos, Excelencia.

President of the Council, Indigenous Peoples First, I want to thank, recognize our ancestors and all Indigenous people who are present in this session. It's a pleasure for me to attend this session of the Human Rights Council as chair of the mechanism, the EMRIP, for which I want to thank, welcome the invaluable contributions of my colleagues, the members of the mechanism. In line with the 3325 resolution of the Human Rights Council, the EMRIP submits its work in the last year to this organ. The EMRIP carried out a study titled "The Right of Indigenous Peoples to Data, Including Collection and Disaggregation of Data." In December 2014, there was a seminar organized by the Pact of Indigenous Peoples of Asia to have substantive contributions to that end. These were enriched with more than 40 contributions from Indigenous Peoples, states, academia, NGOs, among others. The study recognized the right to data as a strategic cultural economic asset rooted in inherent right to sovereignty and self-determination, which includes sovereignty and governance of Indigenous data. Moreover, it analyzed the implicit recognition of the rights of Indigenous peoples to access and oversee data related to their lives, culture, land, territory, and resources in the international legal framework. The UNDRIP affirms the inherent right to autonomy of data in various contexts, such as context of dissemination of information and data collection to improve social economic conditions of indigenous peoples. The study concluded with the Opinion 18 proposing a set of measures, including disaggregated collection of data, protection of data that affects Indigenous Peoples, especially women. Throughout all stages of the data collection process, we respected the self-determination, cultural protocols and knowledge systems. The expert mechanism approved the study during the 18th session in July 2025. The mechanism also presents today its report on efforts to implement the UNDRIP when it comes to the rights of indigenous peoples to their traditional economies based on the right to self-determination, traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples, and environmental management. The report stresses the need to have legal sound protection of recognition of the systems of governance and rights, a right to land ownership for indigenous peoples, and the effective implementation of FPIC. The report concludes with recommendations on measures to take, including legal recognition, inclusive governance with a gender perspective, public investment, and integration of indigenous economic models in the national and global sustainability frameworks. The MRIP approved its annual report detailing all activities carried out throughout the year. Moreover, participated in the 24th session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues held in April and May 2025. A number of members of the MRIP cooperated with UN mechanisms, regional human rights mechanisms, member states, and civil society organizations at national level. In October 24, the MRIP participated in a UN conference on biodiversity held in Cali, Colombia. That same month, it participated in inaugurating the Science Innovation Forum 2024 of FAO and became a member of the Global FAO Center on Indigenous People's Food Systems. So we've participated actively in meetings of the Global Working Group for the creation of a Decade of Action for Indigenous Languages, including the most recent meetings in January, March, July this year, coordinated by UNESCO. During the 18th annual session, the EMRIP launched an interactive dialogue with other UN mechanisms dedicated to the rights of indigenous peoples. and with the UN Human Rights Committee, who we informed of work with respect to implementation of the UNDRIP. During the 18th session, the EMRIP organized a roundtable on the role of national and regional human rights institutions in implementing the goals of the declaration. Similarly, it facilitated a dialogue on bolstering participation of representatives and indigenous institutions in meetings of the relevant UN organs on the issues affecting them. The MRIP maintain its important mandate and commitment through ongoing dialogue with states, with both After a mission to Norway in March 2025, we published a technical advisory note on implementation and strengthening of the rights of indigenous peoples, the Sami people. Nevertheless, we had to postpone a cooperation visit to Brazil that had been scheduled for this in September 2025 due to the liquidity and financing crisis. As to future work of the EMRIP, it was decided the next annual study would be on the rights of indigenous peoples in situations of conflict and post-conflict situations. At the end of the year, there will be an expert seminar to provide information on the study, and in October 2025, there will be a call to bring it, collect funds and contributions. I'd like to express my gratitude to the Human Rights Council for their work in promoting the rights of indigenous peoples, especially to Guatemala and Mexico, who have shown excellent work in implementing the resolution on indigenous peoples. grateful to all indigenous peoples, states, NGOs, national human rights institutions, academia, who have contributed to the work of the mechanism and who have attended our sessions in such large numbers. Thank you.

Thank you. As per practice, we'll now hear a statement by the UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples Executive Board that will be delivered by Dev Kumar Suna on behalf of the Council, and it's a video message.

President, Madam Chairperson of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, UN Special Rapporteur, distinguished representatives of Indigenous Peoples, civil society organizations, Your Excellencies, friends and colleagues, it is an honor to address the 68th session of the Human Rights Council on behalf of the Board of Trustees of UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples. At the outset, I warmly welcome the 14 beneficiaries of the Fund present with us today, whose contributions greatly enrich this session. Mr. President, The Fund was established to support the participation of Indigenous peoples' representatives in key UN meetings and processes. Over the past 40 years, it has faithfully delivered on this mandate, expanding its scope and enabling more than 5,000 Indigenous representatives to engage in UN human rights mechanisms. In 2024 alone, the Fund supported 201 grantees from 55 countries, including women, men, youth, persons with disabilities, and two-spirited and transgender representatives. In 2025 so far, 77 grantees from 42 countries have participated in nine UN processes, with a strong representation of women and youth. These beneficiaries bring invaluable first-hand knowledge of the challenges facing Indigenous communities worldwide. Many could not participate without the Fund's support. Their presence ensures that pressing issues, from human rights violations to land and territorial concerns, are heard at the highest international level. Mr. President, the Fund's role goes beyond providing travel grants. Effective participation requires capacity. That is why the Board also invests in training initiatives in partnership with NGOs, indigenous organizations, and UN mechanisms. Trainings are held in Geneva, New York, and at climate change conferences, and increasingly offered online. In 2024, the Fund offered 14 online and 5 in-person trainings, reaching more than 2,000 participants virtually and 180 in person. Since January 2025, 16 online and three in-person trainings have already been conducted, benefiting nearly 3,000 participants. These courses offered in five languages, English, French, Spanish, Russian, and Portuguese, make the Fund the UN system's largest provider of indigenous-focused training and capacity building. Despite these achievements, the demand far exceeds available resources. Each year, the Fund receives 4,000 to 5,000 applications, but can support only about 150 to 170 representatives, just 3% of requests. The expansion of its mandate into areas such as business and human rights and climate change has further increased demand. Mr. President, this year marks the Fund's 40th anniversary. On this occasion, I appeal to all governments to consider contributing to the Fund, ensuring it can continue its vital work of amplifying Indigenous peoples' voices within the UN system. On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I extend deep gratitude to the governments of Australia, Canada, Finland, Mexico, Norway, Peru, the Philippines, and the United States for their generous contributions in 2024 and 2025.

I thank you, Mr. President, and wish you a very successful session.

Thank you. I now give the floor to interested delegations to make comments on the report. To take the floor, I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the EU.

The European Union reiterates its commitment to the UNDRIP, including the right to maintain and develop Indigenous peoples' own economic systems. States' economic policies and decisions affecting Indigenous peoples' economy, lands, territories or resources have to be taken respecting UNDRIP, including consulting them in order to obtain their free, prior, informed consent. It is a sad paradox that the crucial role played by indigenous peoples in preserving ecosystems and preventing deforestation through sustainable economic activities has often been emphasized, while indigenous peoples are disproportionately and severely impacted by those very same effects of climate change. This paradox is even more tragic given that as we face the triple planetary crisis of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss, Indigenous peoples' expertise, traditional knowledge, and economic practice have the potential to lead us towards more sustainable and equitable outcomes. Distinguished members of the expert mechanism, Could you share best practice of measures to protect indigenous traditional economies while contributing to the empowerment of indigenous women as economic actors? I thank you.

Thank you.

I give the floor to Mexico on behalf of a group of countries.

Thank you, President. I deliver this statement on behalf of Guatemala, Mexico, a group of Latin American and Caribbean countries. We support the work of the EMRIP. That forum is essential to hear the voice of Indigenous peoples and to move forward in full implementation of the UN Declaration on their rights. We support the proposals and recommendations of the mechanism, which call for protection of indigenous representatives and activists from reprisals, guaranteeing their participation in this Council and strengthening national legislation to make reality of the rights contained in the Declaration. We reaffirm the importance of promoting the rights of indigenous women and girls, safeguarding traditional economies and indigenous languages, and adopting an inclusive approach towards the challenges of AI and climate change. We stress, moreover, the need to continue bolstering the participation of indigenous peoples in international fora. We urge all states to cooperate with the mechanism and to work hand in hand with indigenous peoples. Their voice, knowledge, and leadership are essential to build a just, diverse, and sustainable future. Thank you.

Thank you. FAO, please.

Microphone for FAO, please.

Thank you, Mr. President. FAO welcomes the expert mechanism report to the Human Rights Council and strongly supports its recommendations to advance Indigenous peoples' rights. We recognize indigenous peoples as rights and knowledge holders and underscore the importance of indigenous data sovereignty and disaggregated data. FAO remains committed to implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by supporting inclusive policy reforms and ensuring indigenous peoples' meaningful participation. We work alongside indigenous peoples to champion their food systems, secure land rights, and uphold free, prior, and informed consent across all initiatives. FAO also actively supports indigenous-led data efforts, from including community-level data in national statistics to using food insecurity experience scale to measure food security in indigenous territories. As highlighted in the EMRIP report, these steps help overcome data invisibility. Looking ahead, FAO stands ready to partner with EMRIP, with the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Special Rapporteur, reaffirming that indigenous people's rights and knowledge are integral to achieving food security for all. I thank you.

Thank you.

List of speakers is now closed. I give the floor to Australia. That's video statement.

Thank you, President. Australia welcomes the annual report of the expert mechanism and study on the rights of Indigenous peoples to their traditional economies. We echo the study's conclusion that states must protect Indigenous peoples' traditional economies, including traditional knowledge systems, which play a critical role in biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable resource management. The annual report also highlights the progress made following the Expert Mechanisms Country Engagement Mission to Western Australia in 2023. We know there is more work to be done.

Australia is committed

their implementation of UNDRIP through the priority reforms under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap to advance the rights, interests, well-being of Indigenous peoples. President, Australia also concurs with the expert mechanisms urging of the Council to continue to enhance the participation of Indigenous peoples in the work of the Council in collaboration with Indigenous peoples. The voices of Indigenous peoples are vital to our ongoing dialogue.

Australia asked, how can we collectively mobilise

resources to ensure Indigenous peoples' participation in the work of the Council is meaningful, impactful and sustained?

Thank you.

Thank you.

I give the floor to Bolivia.

Thank you, President. In Aymara, for life as we listen, Aymara, we welcome the reports given us. In an interconnected, hyper-mediatized world where AI and algorithmic cultures are developing so fast, we believe that the right to data, especially when it comes to data collect and disaggregation, is a fundamental human right. Therefore, we note with satisfaction Opinion 18, with respect to the rights of indigenous peoples to their traditional economies, in line with consolidating the declaration, the UNDRIP, we want to share that in addition to enshrining that right in the constitution, as the report states, the economic, social, community, productive model in Bolivia recognizes and promotes the social and community economy that's inherent to our indigenous peoples. In conclusion, as a robust signal in support of the UNDRIP, at the recent summit of the Amazon Cooperation Treaty, the member states there approved the creation of an Amazon mechanism for Indigenous Peoples, an initiative which seeks to ensure the full effective participation of Indigenous Peoples in decisions linked to conservation of natural resources, the climate agenda, and protecting the Amazon. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Guatemala.

Thank you, President. We support what was said. the Honorable Mission of Mexico. Guatemala also thanks the expert mechanism for introducing their annual report and their study on the rights of Indigenous Peoples to data, especially with respect to data collection and disaggregation. We welcome the analysis as to how free determination is a key tool when it comes to drawing up inclusive public policy. We agree with the importance of guaranteeing that data collection should be carried out based on self-identification and fully respecting free, prior, and informed consent, since without disaggregated information, it's impossible to effectively address specific needs. At a national level, Guatemala has integrated the variable of ethnic self-identification in the 2018 census and maintains a dialogue through the high-level bureau between the President of the and indigenous authorities, where we address priorities such as education, health, justice, infrastructure, economy, and the environment. Finally, we'd highlight the proposals of the mechanism on the protection of indigenous activists, full participation in the Human Rights Council, and protection of their traditional economies, priorities that Guatemala shares and promotes in keeping with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Thank you.

Thank you. Ecuador, please.

President, my delegation is grateful to the expert mechanism for the report. We agree that the rights of indigenous peoples to maintain their traditional economies is a key pillar to guarantee their autonomy, as well as the continuity and transmission of their cultures. In that regard, it's crucial to ensure that those economies can be supported within their own systems of governance, in their ancestral knowledge, and their relation with land and waters and that they should have effective legal recognition and protection. Ecuador has a normative framework based on a plurinational intercultural state which recognizes the specific rights of indigenous peoples and nationalities, including the right to maintain, develop and strengthen freely their identity, ancestral traditions and forms of social organization. In that context, Ecuador continues to promote the conservation and sustainable management of natural resources, promoting financing of agroforestry projects led by communities, as well as bio businesses that seek to improve their living conditions, respecting their cultural knowledge and practices. At the same time, based on the national agenda for gender equality, the government has continued cross-cutting gender and equity policies with an approach that addresses the needs of indigenous women, such as in the field of work, education, combating violence, and carrying out efforts to offer services with cultural relevance.

Thank you.

Thank you. Philippines, please.

Mr. President, the Philippines thanks the expert mechanism for its annual report and takes note with appreciation the study on the right of Indigenous Peoples to data and advice number 18 of 2025. Since the enactment of our landmark law recognizing the collective rights of our Indigenous Peoples in 1997, we have made significant efforts in addressing systemic gaps in the collection and disaggregation of IP data and its statistics. We fully recognize that upholding IPs' right to data data is essential in crafting policies and measures that fully respond to the unique needs and challenges of our diverse IP and Indigenous cultural communities. Recently, our National Commission for Indigenous Peoples launched the Data Repository for Indigenous Peoples, or DRIP, a secure system for the collection and sharing of reliable data on demographics, ancestral domain, and traditional knowledge. This advances our goal of evidence-based policies and programs that uplift, protect, and empower IPs and ICC across the country. Finally, the Philippines supports and is working towards signing the groundbreaking treaty on intellectual property, genetic resources, and traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources adopted last year by member states of the World Intellectual Property Organization. We believe that this treaty paves the way for protection of the intellectual property of indigenous peoples against misuse and misappropriation, promotes an inclusive effective and transparent system that benefits rights holders and recognizes the transformative potential of indigenous knowledge of a society toward….

Thank you. I give the floor to the Russian Federation.

Microphone for the Russian Federation.

President, we've studied with interest the report, the expert mechanism. Despite the overall objective critical assessment of situation in various countries, including of the West and Canada and New Zealand, there's a clear bias nonetheless towards criticism of developing states. Nothing is said of the violations of indigenous peoples in the US, Australia, in Scandinavia, militarization of the Arctic by NATO states. We agree with the finding that Apart from the adoption of laws, what's required is consistent jurisprudence. Russia carries out targeted work in that area, developing a system of councils of authorized representatives of indigenous peoples at local level of government. In five regions, we've instituted an ombudsman for indigenous affairs. In the context of the work of the expert mechanism, there is a need for it to strictly abide by its mandate. What's unacceptable is to encroach on themes linked to issues of peace and security and artificially foisting the issue of LGBT. Special attention needs to be given to issues of the negative impact on the rights of indigenous peoples of UCMs introduced by the West and its satellites, as well as the topic of maintenance of the rights of indigenous peoples in non-self-governing territories and decolonization. A particularly pressing problem is ensuring unhindered access for representatives of indigenous peoples to sessions of the expert mechanism. Using the issue of visas as a lever on pressure on their participants is a practice that must end. Thank you.

Give the floor to New Zealand, please.

New Zealand welcomes the opportunity to engage with the MRIP, and we thank them for their presentation. We affirm our commitment to supporting indigenous peoples' participation in traditional economies. The Maori economy is a vital and growing contributor to New Zealand's overall economic prosperity, representing approximately 9% of GDP. Maori are a young and dynamic population projected to comprise 20% of the workforce by 2040. To support this growth, the government has launched a strategic framework to unlock the potential of the Maori economy. This includes reforms to increase infrastructure investment, accelerate exports, and unlock the potential of Maori land. Maori have a long history of utilizing geothermal resources and are actively involved in commercial uses such as electricity generation, food production and tourism.

The government is finalizing a strategy that acknowledges their unique role in geothermal development and supports Iwi tribe-led initiatives to facilitate co-investment in infrastructure projects and build investment capability. New Zealand recognizes the value of Maori traditional knowledge.

Work is underway to support Maori-led bio discovery.

And commercial uses of indigenous flora and fauna, ensuring Maori knowledge systems are respected and protected.

Through such initiatives, New Zealand affirms its commitment to supporting Maori participation in their traditional and contemporary economies and to advancing indigenous economic development as a core part of our national growth. Thank you.

I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Peru.

Thank you, President. Peru really welcomes the annual report of the expert mechanism report on the rights of indigenous peoples. We express our thanks for the amount of work that has been put in, in a context of financial challenges. We particularly welcome the contributions regarding indigenous peoples, data, their traditional economies, and revitalizing their languages. This is absolutely fundamental. We restate our deep commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of indigenous peoples. We recognize their historic role in protecting biodiversity, defending territories, and indeed passing on ancestral knowledge. That is why we need public policies and normative frameworks that strengthen free, prior, informed consent and the actual protection of young women and particular protection of those in voluntary isolation and initial contact. We are naturally ready to cooperate with this Council and the expert mechanism itself. We're convinced that protecting the rights of indigenous peoples is a prerequisite for sustainable development and peace.

Thank you.

I'd now like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of Colombia.

Thank you, President. Colombia welcomes the report of the expert mechanism. It is a valuable contribution for the effective implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Our country restates its commitment to promoting and protecting these rights, including those of indigenous peoples in isolation and initial contact, particularly their self-determination, their governance systems, their traditional economies. These economies are absolutely key for food security, climate resilience, as well as cultural continuity. Colombia has adopted measures geared to strengthening territorial independence, the protection of the rights to land and resources, as well as the guarantee of free, prior, and informed consent in close cooperation with representative organizations of indigenous peoples. And we are ready to continue charting the same course. We particularly welcome the approach adopted by the report on data sovereignty, language revitalization, and effective participation of multilateral spaces. We'd like to repeat our backing to the mandate of this expert mechanism and its proposals and renew our commitment to continue to work for a fairer country, a more diverse and inclusive one, where indigenous peoples are the main players of development and peace. Many thanks.

Thank you. I'd now like to give the floor to the Senior Representative of Brazil.

- mechanism for its report on the rights of indigenous people to data, including data collection and disaggregation. The right to data is a precondition for the enjoyment of the rights enshrined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. As underlined in the report, data sovereignty is also linked to the effectiveness of public policies. At the domestic level, Brazil has advanced. The 2022 population census introduced methodological innovations developed in close dialogue with Indigenous organizations, in line with the principle of free, prior, and informed consultation. For the first time, disaggregated data were produced not only for the 573 officially recognized Indigenous lands, but also for areas outside them. This broader scope revealed realities not previously captured with the same precision, such as the presence of a significant number of indigenous persons in urban space. The census registered more than 1.6 million indigenous persons, belonging to 305 ethnic groups and speaking 274 languages. These results strengthened the statistical visibility of indigenous peoples and their recognitions as subjects of Thank you.

Thank you. To the English language interpreter, we have some interference in the sound. We have some background noise that's very disturbing. Thank you.

I'd like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of Armenia.

Thanks for their report. We support the recognition of indigenous peoples as rights holders, including their right to control and govern the data that affects them. In Armenia, we recognize the value of disaggregated data, also for the design and implementation of government policies that are targeted to address the needs of vulnerable groups, including indigenous communities. Ensuring the participation of indigenous peoples in data governance is essential for safeguarding their identity. We emphasize the importance of data also for preserving and protecting the cultural heritage of indigenous peoples. We also believe that international partnership and the exchange of good practices can enhance the capacity of states to collect, manage, and use data in a way that strengthens indigenous people's rights and contributes to their empowerment. In conclusion, Armenia reaffirms its commitment to uphold the dignity, rights, and cultural heritage of Indigenous communities.

Thank you.

Thank you. I'd like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of Canada.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Canada thanks the expert mechanism for its important reports published this year, including the two thematic studies. Canada welcomes the recommendations on Indigenous peoples' rights to traditional economies, and it will reflect on them as part of our reconciliation efforts. We also invite member states to integrate Indigenous traditional economies into national and global development agendas, especially in relation to poverty eradication, food sovereignty, food security, health, and climate change. Canada also appreciates EMRIP's emphasis on the rights of Indigenous peoples related to data, including Indigenous data sovereignty, ethical governance, and culturally appropriate methodologies. The recommendations presented in the report will guide Canada's efforts to strengthen Indigenous participation in data systems and to uphold respectful and inclusive data practices. Canada recognizes both the transformative potential and risks of artificial intelligence and affirms that Indigenous peoples must be active participants in shaping the future of AI governance. We call on governments and the private sector to foster genuine collaboration with Indigenous peoples, grounded in respect for their rights related to data, knowledge systems, languages, and worldviews. Independent experts, how can we advance the meaningful participation of Indigenous peoples in the governance of data and artificial intelligence, particularly in ways that uphold Indigenous knowledge systems and promote self-determination? Thank you.

Thank you. I'd like to give the distinguished representative of your floor.

Thank you, Mr. President. Ukraine welcomes the reports of Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and expresses appreciation for the insightful study on the right of indigenous peoples to data, particularly regarding collection and disaggregation. It is undeniable that the right to data encompassing collection, ownership, control, and disaggregation is fundamental for ensuring the realization of indigenous peoples' rights to self-determination, sustainable development, and justice. Russia's occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea in 2014 and later of certain districts of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions following Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 created significant obstacles for collecting and analyzing reliable data on the indigenous peoples of Ukraine. Russian aggression has caused widespread forced displacement, primarily of Crimean Tatars, from their ancestral lands. In this context, the lack of comprehensive disaggregated data, including nationality indicators, within Ukraine's statistical and migration services, combined with the unreliability of data from the occupied territories, presents a major challenge. Consequently, obtaining accurate information on the current situation of the Indigenous Peoples of Ukraine remains difficult. Thus, Ukraine calls upon the expert mechanism to continue supporting efforts to strengthen data collection, enhance transparency, and ensure that the rights of Indigenous Peoples of Ukraine, particularly the Crimean Tatars, are fully recognized and respected.

Thank you, Ukraine. I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Indonesia.

Thank you, Mr. President. Indonesia takes note of the MFRIF study on data collection and its report on traditional economies. We support the emphasis on data sovereignty, cultural sensitive data collection, and the role of traditional economies in sustaining livelihoods and biodiversity. However, approaches must reflect national context and governance systems. Indonesia's constitutional and identity and strength are forged from its profound diversity, a nation of over 1,300 ethnic groups spanning 17,000 islands. Therefore, our legal framework intentionally used the inclusive concept of masyarakat hukum adat, or customary law communities, which reflects our specific national context more accurately than the term indigenous peoples. Indonesia is transforming its diversity into tangible policy. To strengthen inclusion, the 2020 population census actively collects detailed ethnic and linguistic data. This commitment is enshrined in at least nine national laws that safeguard customary rights to land, forest, coast, and natural resources. Globally, we champion linguistic diversity through UNESCO's International Decades of Indigenous Languages. To advance these efforts, we encourage AMRIP to continue its technical assistance, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you.

I'd like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Thank you, President. We welcome the presentation of the reports from the expert mechanism, particularly the right to indigenous people to data, including their compilation and disaggregation, and we thank them for their annual report. We welcome their conclusions and recommendations. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela constructively participated in the 18th session. of this mechanism which addressed very important topics such as traditional economies of indigenous peoples, the role of national and regional institutions of human rights in implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and strengthening their participation in the UN. Dear experts, the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples has as its goal promotion and protection of their rights, guaranteeing their well-being and dignity and ensuring their full and effective participation in political, economic, social and cultural life. And in that regard, we'd say that the illegal use of UCMs is an additional obstacle imposed by the hegemonic countries, preventing the full enjoyment of human rights of indigenous communities and peoples. We'd urge experts to include in their future reports the analysis of the terrible impact of these illegal measures and join this joint call to eradicate them. Thank you.

Thank you.

I'd now like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cuba.

President, thank you, and we'd like to thank Guatemala and Mexico for submitting this report, mandating the creation of this mechanism and this very important dialogue. We've taken note of the report and the work done by the expert mechanism to raise the profile of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. We agree namely that it is extremely important to have governments cooperating with these mechanisms, protecting the rights of indigenous peoples, including cultural traditions, religious diversity, and participation in decision-making fora. It's a great shame that indigenous peoples are still victims of the devastating consequences of colonization, neocolonization and neoliberalism, wiping out their heritage and identities. There hasn't been proper reparation for this. On the contrary, criminal activities of many multinational countries are still trampling their rights, threatening their existence. Cuba restates its commitment to the institution building package and the rules of procedure. We believe that these are the legal basis of the working of Council. We believe that strengthening participation of indigenous peoples within these dialogues, along with the Special Rapporteur, is something that has to simply reflect the rights as recognized by the UN Declaration. Many thanks.

Thank you very much. I'd like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of.

China. Mr. President, China has noted the annual report submitted, the MRIP, and the relevant study report. Indigenous people have made valuable, unique contribution to the plural and diverse development of human society. However, affected by racism, colonialism, many indigenous communities have long been suffering from discrimination and oppression. Emerging global challenges have made the situation for indigenous people even more difficult. Climate change, energy, and the food crises have caused new impacts. Indigenous peoples have long been affected by a data divide that are often ignored or marginalized in data statistics can respect the traditional economic rights and data rights of these people attaches great importance to using digital technology to empower them, to help them enjoy the fruits of development on an equal basis. We call on relevant countries to eliminate prejudices, discrimination against indigenous people, ensure that they can fully participate in economic and social affairs at their own will. China firmly support the promotion and protection of basic human rights and freedoms of the indigenous peoples and will continue to play active role in safeguarding the rights and interests of the indigenous community in promoting full implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. That was the last speaker on my list, so we now move on to the National Human Rights Institutions Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions. You have the floor.

Mr. President, GANRI welcomes the UNHRC annual report and its study on indigenous people's right to data, recognizing this right as a fundamental human right. We stress that indigenous people must be meaningfully involved in the collection, management, and use of data, including through their representation in national statistical bodies. National human rights institutions play a vital role in advancing indigenous people's rights and ensuring their participation. To support this role, created Indigenous People Caucus gathering 19 NHRI's from all regions. In July 2025, the caucus contributed to MRIP 18 session panel on the role of NHRI's in implementing the UN Declaration on Rights of Indigenous People. The panel show how NHRI started Indigenous right. It also highlighted the importance of dedicated Indigenous right-minded holders and urged state to support and reinforce their NHRI's. We echo MRIP's call for states to adopt national action plan, strengthen legislation, and establish effective monitoring mechanism. NHRI's are uniquely placed to support UNDRIP implementation and should enjoy distinct participation right in all forms on UN forums. GANRI and its member remain committed to respect and promote the unique perspective of indigenous people, working with all stakeholder to ensure their voices are heard in all decision that affect their life, territories, and rights. Thank you.

That was the only statement on my list there, so we will now press on with the list of indigenous representatives. Crimean Tatar Youth Center, video.

Distinguished Chair, Excellencies, colleagues, today I am honored to speak on behalf of one of the three indigenous people of Ukraine, the Crimean Tatars. The participation of Indigenous Peoples in the United Nations must be grounded in self-determination, equality, and respect for our representative institutions. The 2024 Intersessional Meetings and the emerging Geneva Principles provide a solid basis for moving forward and confirm that we must engage not as NGOs, but as peoples with collective rights. Equally, participation must be visible in practice. Reports, data systems, and mechanisms of this Council cannot exclude Indigenous Peoples, including those living under occupation, in exile, or in conflict zones. Without accurate reflection in reports and cooperation with mechanisms, our voices risk invisibility. We therefore urge States to support this process and, once a resolution is presented, to adopt it in a spirit of partnership and transparency. Enhanced participation is not only a matter of justice; it is essential to peacebuilding and to ensuring that no one is left behind. We call on States to finalize the Geneva Principles, guarantee our inclusion in decision-making processes, and establish a permanent, independent mechanism to secure our participation. Thank you for your attention.

Thank you. I now give the floor to Panel of African Experts on Indigenous Affairs.

Thank you, President. I've just greeted you in Amazigh language. It's a great pleasure to take part for the first time as a representative of the Amazigh people. I'm here thanks to the support of the Fund for Indigenous Peoples. I'd like to thank them. This participation is an increased recognition of our people, pending our recognition by the states involved. And I'd like to pay tribute to all efforts that have contributed to this success, an awful lot still remains to be done. It is an undeniable success for inclusion, working together, and leaving no one behind. As was said this morning, our peoples are still suffering from a range of discrimination, the expropriation of our land, resources, our language, and on top of that, we are often harshly repressed. particularly in Algeria, in this country, we are beaten, imprisoned, and silenced. That is why taking part in the Human Rights Council is so important for us. It is a window opening up for us so that we can express our suffering. But I would like to reassure everyone, we're not here just to complain. When things get better, we were the first to say they are getting better. So on behalf of my organization, I'd very much like to thank the Human Rights Council for opening up its doors to us. And I really recommend that all these bodies open up to Indigenous peoples.

Honorable chair and distinguished delegates, I'm Tatiana, an Indigenous woman from Bolivia, a geologist, lawyer, activist, and a grantee of the Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples. to live well in balance with all beings. Artificial intelligence, if unchecked, risks breaking this balance. I echo the expert mechanism call on indigenous data, but raise two absent voices, indigenous women and Pachamama, mother earth rights. Algorithm erase us as leaders in science and law. And in extractive industries, artificial intelligence accelerates exploitation, treating mother earth as data, not as a living being. From system thinking, we know Pull one thread, the whole fabric shakes. Artificial intelligence connects to lands, rights, climate, migration, and women's rights. To regulate artificial intelligence without Indigenous women is to design broken systems. We call for safeguards to ensure Indigenous data sovereignty, free, prior, and informed consent, and that redirect artificial intelligence towards healing, monitoring contamination, restoring ecosystems, and strengthening reciprocity, the deep reciprocity.

That sustains life.

How do you assure indigenous people's voices are heard? As our ancestors taught us, listen truly, listen with intention. Thank you, Halaya.

Thank you. I'd like to give a floor to the Wineman Wintu tribe.

Distinguished emric chair, President, as legal advocate representative for the Winam and Wintu tribe, a matrilineal, matriarchal indigenous people, and the tribe's traditional leadership, Chief Kayleen Sisk, I would like to ask you to continue to further note and reflect upon the crucial matter of the need to ensure that indigenous peoples' governments, representative institutions in the context of UN language, and in forms especially including traditional and customary, are the fundamental status holders of the new status for indigenous peoples at the UN that we are actively working for enhanced participation. As a matter of legacies of colonialism, legal and political status of indigenous peoples as self-governing per people, as own knowledge keepers with own traditions, economies, and decision-making systems and authorities, responsibilities, and survival must be recognized, revitalized, or undone in the face of colonialism, maintained, continued, and protected. This means each and every Indigenous government, accountable to its own people with its own traditions and knowledge, having access to appointing own representatives of choice by own governing methods, is ensured full and equal access and participation will be available to them, including regarding all matters that affect them as self-determining, at a minimum equal to that which ECOSOC NGOs and permanent observers have, and as distinct legal and political entities, own governments in UN multilateral systems. Thank you.

Thank you, and I give the floor to Bukinon Tagalawano Tribe.

Thank you, Mr. President. The United Nations Human Rights Council in Resolution 5715 highlights its mindfulness that Indigenous peoples face significant barriers to the.

Enjoyment of the right to.

Improvement of their economic and social conditions owing to different factors such as historical colonization and dispossession. Despite the recognition of our rights and even ownership over our ancestral domains, the economic conditions of Indigenous cultural communities remain dire owing to the continuing barriers, including the long, tedious, complex legal processes that ICCs need to undergo to have their juridical personality to interface with the mainstream legal systems, to access opportunities, to be able to have self-determination through community-initiated, operated, managed economic activities within their ancestral domains. The serious barriers to the promotion of the economic well-being of ICCs is exacerbated by the fact that despite the constitutional and legal commands to ensure the improvement of the economic condition of IPs and ICCs, our government has given undue, disproportionate, and insufficient resource allocation to support IPs and ICCs to hurdle such barriers. The National Commission on Indigenous Peoples, the agency mandated to enforce provisions of the IPRA law, has been receiving the least allocation from our government.

I urge this Council to remind our government must act in its mandates and obligations under international law to.

Ensure and promote economic well-being by providing concrete act in the allocation of proportionate, meaningful, sufficient.

Budget resource to the office and programs which legislate to meet the state obligation.

Thank you. I now leave the floor to Ondara Collective.

Thank you, Mr. President. My name is Shauna Pope. I'm A grantee of the United Nations Voluntary Fund, and I speak as a proud Waka Waka Willy Willy woman from Indigenous Australia. Since 1991, over 500 Indigenous Australians have died in custody, leaving families and communities traumatized. These tragedies reflect not only systematic failures in policing and justice, but ongoing threats to our lands, cultural heritage, and identity. Protecting Indigenous peoples requires both justice within our institutions and respect for our culture, communities, and spaces and places. Indigenous youth are criminalized from as young as 10, yet denied autonomy in other areas, such as managing social media at 16. These contradictions create trauma, perpetuate incarceration, and disproportionately impact indigenous communities. This means that we are losing connection to land, heritage, and weakens resilience in identity and social cohesion. We must be led by indigenous diversion programs and restorative justice initiatives that reflect our cultural practices. Policy framework should be embedded with community voices, land stewardships, and protection. By listening to communities and implementing these initiatives, we can prevent deaths in custody and uphold Indigenous rights worldwide.

Thank you.

Thank you. I now give the floor to Koiba.

President, experts, I'm an Indigenous representative. of the Amazon region, the report underlines the importance of guaranteeing the participation of indigenous peoples and protecting their leaders and their defenders in the face of reprisals and attacks. This reflects what we're going through in Venezuela. Although the constitution formally recognizes our collective rights, in practice, the state itself denies those rights systematically. Those people who defend rights, ourselves, phrase, criminalization, judicial harassment, arbitrary detentions, and lethal violence without any investigation or sanction. Many Indigenous leaders have been falsely accused of crimes such as terrorism or incitement to hate simply because we've denounced the militarization of ancestral lands, illegal mining, And these practices constitute direct reprisals against those who are working with the UN mechanisms, as is said in the report. It is my case, mentioned in a recent report of the Secretary-General, HRC 62, which is why, respectfully, we'd asked MRIP to document the reprisals against indigenous peoples, recommending that states carry out investigations, stop reprisals and ensure that there is relevant protection. Thank you.

Thank you. I'd now like to give the floor to the serving U.K.

President, the rights of indigenous youth require particular attention. We urge that we be included in decision-making in the sphere of legislative reforms and international standards in dialogue with business and at climate summits. Therefore, indigenous youth, especially young families, must have access to support measures. In a number of regions of Russia, there are support programs for traditional way of life. Recently, our organization received state social guarantees for female nomads. Investment in modernization of the way of life of indigenous peoples is a guarantee that youth can live on traditional lands. In my region, in Yugra, in the West Siberia, there is a program to provide digital equality for reindeer herders. Providing reindeer herder camps with internet allows giving children and youth educational and social services. We support subsidies to young families in order to purchase reindeer. Indigenous youth need access to justice and capacity building. There is an expanded practice of the Institute of the Ombudsman for Indigenous Affairs. There is a nationwide Russian educational program, School of Social Diplomacy for Indigenous Peoples. As a leader of Indigenous youth of the Uighuri and a coordinator for the Global Council of Indigenous Youth, we urge the Human Rights Council to support efforts to reflect the rights of young nomadic and semi-nomadic peoples in all studies and resolutions. Thank you.

Thank you. I now give the floor to Lokichar Aukion.

Thank you, Mr. President. As a beneficiary of the UN Voluntary Fund for the Indigenous People from Kenya, we are concerned that indigenous people continue to face severe human rights challenges despite the protection affirmed by this Council, displacement, loss ancestral lands, exploitation by extractive conservation projects that threaten their livelihood, cultures, and survival. While the Council resolution affirm important commitments, implementation remains weak. Most of our obligations are voluntary, with minimal accountability for states and corporations. Indigenous participation in decision making is still restricted by barriers such as language, funding, and fiscal limitation. Land and resource rights lack enforceable frameworks, and gender disability concerns remain inadequately addressed. For indigenous communities, real inclusion begins with access to information in their languages. UN charters should be translated and disseminated through transit community structures with technology and AI used to produce high video content that is accessible that that are accessible than the text-heavy materials. We call for stronger measures, make commitments binding, institutionalize indigenous participation in UN process, guarantee land restitution, free, prior, and informed consent, and protection from forced evictions, and establish strong mechanisms to regard indigenous human rights defenders.

Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. I give the floor to the Justice Collective, 13th of May.

President, members of the Council, my organization draws your attention to the critical situation in Kanak in New Caledonia, a non-self-government territory since 1986. In July, the French state presented the Bougainville Accord. It was rejected by the FLNKS since it did not give any clear path towards emancipation, a nationality subordinate to the nationality of the administering authority, electoral body delegated, which makes a minority of the colonized people. of sovereign competences conditioned with insurmountable barriers. Therefore, the Kanak people reaffirm their fundamental demand for effective transfer of sovereign powers, recognition of Kanak nationality, irreversible respect of the Nouméa Accord, UN oversight to ensure just dialogue. Excellencies, we call on you to support the legitimate claims of the Kanak people to self-determination, to ensure respect for their fundamental rights, to bolster your presence, to guarantee the essential fundamental rights to the Kanaks in New Caledonia. The Kanak people will never abandon the dream of our fathers. Priority to Kanak always. Thank you.

That was the last statement that we can accommodate. We'll now move to the list of NGOs. I give the floor to International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'm reading this statement on behalf of the steering committee members of the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on World Heritage. Last year, the forum organized an international expert workshop on recognizing and respecting Indigenous peoples' heritage values in World Heritage sites in which EMRI participated. The outcome document of that workshop underscores the necessity of continued efforts to align the implementation of the World Heritage Convention with international standards on the rights of Indigenous peoples. Unfortunately, Indigenous peoples continue reporting human rights violations in World Heritage sites. We therefore welcome MBRIF's proposal that the Council, at its 63rd session, hold a panel discussion on Indigenous peoples and the World Heritage Conventions.

Mr. Chair, one of the central problems Indigenous peoples have.

With the Convention is the differentiation between cultural and natural heritage sites.

Most World Heritage sites in Indigenous peoples'.

Territories are designated as purely natural sites without an appropriate recognition of Indigenous peoples' cultural heritage values and their relationship to the lands.

We hope that the proposed panel will help to enhance collaboration between UNESCO, the UN human rights system, and Indigenous peoples.

To advance the protection of Indigenous peoples' rights.

The International Indigenous Peoples Forum on World Heritage stands ready to support the organization of this important panel.

Thank you.

Thank you, President.

We welcome the annual report of the 18th session on the rights of Indigenous peoples. We appreciate the broad effective participation of Indigenous peoples in the work of the Council, specifically the EMRIP. We look forward to the swift adoption of a direct participation mechanism based on what was discussed in consultations held by EMRIP. With respect to the growing repression and persecution of those who protect their individual and collective rights, we condemn the fact that the Maya Q'iche' brothers, Luis Pacheco and Hector Chaklan, who have spent more than 130 days in prison without any trial. We call for their immediate release. We urge the EMRIP continue to echo the demands of indigenous peoples in compliance with the declaration. We urge states that they keep moving forward, expanding the path to ensure full respect for the rights of indigenous peoples. Never, no more regression in our rights ever again. Thank you.

Thank you. In with Circular Council.

Thank you, Mr. President. I deliver this intervention on behalf of the Arctic region. We welcome and support the latest proposals of the MRIP to this Human Rights Council session, particularly their acknowledgment to enhance the participation of indigenous peoples in the work of the Human Rights Council. However, we know a clear lack of modalities and stress that indigenous peoples must be equal partners in shaping this process. We wish to reiterate and stress that the indigenous peoples' representative institutions, whether these take form of elected parliaments, traditional councils, or other authorities as specified in the Alta outcome document, must be recognized without imposing externally defined models. Indigenous peoples must have the right to choose their own representatives and be recognized through a permanent observer status. We recommend that the Human Rights Council develop a resolution on enhanced participation with the full and effective involvement of indigenous peoples from all seven social cultural regions, and that the process be guided by a clear roadmap and fair, inclusive, and indigenous-led accreditation criteria. From the Arctic perspective, we support advancing a resolution at this session, alternatively initiating an intergovernmental negotiation process with the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples. We remain committed, together with other Indigenous peoples and states, to building an inclusive and lasting framework for the full and effective participation of Indigenous peoples in all matters that may affect them. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Genevieve.

Thank you, President. We welcome the Emirate reports, recalled individual and collective dimensions of self-determination which generate derived rights such as participation, equality, non-discrimination and sovereignty over resources. However, the experts face structural and political resistance when they uphold those principles. These studies show this. Without Indigenous-led data, they remain invisible. Without protection of their economies, they lose food sovereignty, biodiversity, and climate resilience. Criminalization and dispossession directly affect their rights. An approach based on care and support must guide the response. Self-determination enable communities to define their own systems of solidarity and governance. a gender-sensitive approach, recognize and bolster leadership of indigenous women, environmental management, affirm the sovereignty of the lands and ecosystems. We recommend, one, bolstering the diplomatic participation of indigenous peoples and underrepresented nations, two, guarantee systematic inclusion of indigenous youth and women, three, end confusion with local communities, four, cooperate with local and regional authorities to develop and disseminate rights-based approaches at local and global levels, Development without self-determination and care and support without rights remain empty. This council must act to ensure that dignity becomes reality. Indigenous peoples don't ask for charity. They want recognition, justice and dignity for our ancestors, our children and for generations to come. Thank you.

Thank you. Next is CAP DTC.

Thank you, President. I would like to introduce the clean transition and justice of energy term in Xizang Autonomous Region of China. Xizang covered an area of over 1. million square kilometers with an altitude of 4,000 meters and a temperature of 6 degrees. So, this is a lot of energy. And impacted by extreme weather caused by global warming, with support of the central government, Xizang has achieved a clean transition of energy, so development of hydropower and photovoltaic. clean energy accounts for 99%. Since 2015, Xizang has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by about 40 million tons by delivering green power to country. Now, every local resident in Xizang has access to affordable, reliable, sustainable modern energy. The price is only $0.06 per kilowatt hour. I found that some Western Media's accusation of Xizang's development of clean energy are groundless. In fact, Xizang provides a useful example for global sustainable development. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor.

To Frontline Joint Statement.

Thank you for the excellent report. We also stress the importance of Indigenous data. In many contexts, lack of data means that we do not exist, that we do not acknowledge, that we cannot survive. There is no reliable data on the Karakalpak people, no record of our population, language vitality, health, or the thousands killed, imprisoned, or disappeared simply for being Karakalpak. After the July 2022 massacre of peaceful civilians, fear... replace truth. Any dissident risk reprisals. The sovereign republic of Karakalpakstan is rich. However, there is a pattern of violation to their human rights, culture, identity, and existence. Human rights defenders, while speak out, suffer constant reprisals and transnational repression. This This threat also impacts their families and loved ones who are also targeted. Uzbekistan hides the plunder of our natural resources, silences inquiry, and turns our identity into statistics that serves the oppressor. This denial of data is more than neglect, it's a weapon. It erases our past, strangles our present, and steals our future. We appeal urgently for indigenous-led data collection on Karakalpakstan for transparency. transparent investigation into grave human rights abuses against Karakalpakh people and reprisals against human rights defenders, for international monitoring to ensure truth. Karakalpakh have the right to be counted. Thank you.

I call for the indigenous peoples of the Americas.

When this council was first created, without knowing the history of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, this council approved a declaration that was not approved by the majority of indigenous peoples. Instead, the declaration that was approved was the one written by the chairperson of the working group, a non-indigenous man. This past year, the efforts to weaken the declaration in 2002 and 2003 by two colonizing governments, Canada and Australia, were exposed with the release of the state papers from Australia. Therefore, resolution number 1/2 of June 29, 2006, needs to be rescinded, as it approves a declaration that was not approved by the majority of indigenous peoples and is a violation of the free, prior, and informed consent of indigenous peoples and nations. Two UN bodies, the Subcommission on the Prevention of Discrimination and the Protection of Minorities and the Working Group on Indigenous Populations, did approve of the 1994 original subcommission declaration in Resolution 1994/45. The same 1994 subcommission declaration was also approved by the majority of indigenous representatives. Consequently, the 1994 original subcommission declaration must be approved to replace the existing 2007 declaration. Thank you.

Thank you.

I give the floor to Simi. Thank you, respected members of the Human Rights Council. In representation of Simi, allow me to speak of the grave situation affecting indigenous peoples in isolation. First, I would mention two points raised in previous sessions of the EMRIP and of the Permanent Forum. One, based on surveys and monitoring, we've identified 200 evidences of indigenous peoples around the world. Secondly, the majority of these exist are in South America, nevertheless, less than a third, only 60 of them, are recognized by their national states, while the remaining ones are not protected by their states. Therefore, they are at permanent risk of extinction. Secondly, So it's not necessary to agree to this. Indigenous peoples are rights holders, rights that extend to all indigenous peoples, including to isolated peoples. When states don't recognize isolated peoples, it's not just a negation of their presence. It's much more than that. It's a policy of invisibility, planned invisibility that seeks to wipe out their existence and future. So, CEMI recommends to the Human Rights Council to urge member states to recognize the existence of and pay full respect for those indigenous peoples.

The floor to China Ethnic Minorities Association for External Exchanges.

Mr. President, China has 56 ethnic groups, all of which enjoy equal rights. Among them, 55 are customarily referred to as ethnic minorities due to their smaller population size compared to the Han majority. There are no indigenous peoples in China, as all ethnic groups are native to the land and are integral members of the Chinese nation. Hopefully, our experience on handling ethnic affairs can serve as a reference for safeguarding the rights and interests of diverse groups. The Communist Party of China has united and led all ethnic groups in promoting economic and social development in ethnic minority areas, achieving unprecedented progress in the lives of ethnic minority populations. First, China practices whole-process people's democracy. The country guarantees the right to vote and stand for election for all ethnic citizens. ensuring their full participation in political affairs. Second, economic development has been continuously advanced. For instance, in Xinjiang, the volume of railway freight shipments reached 237 million tons in 2024, an increase of 10.6%. Third, social initiatives have seen comprehensive development. Friends from all around the world are warmly welcome to visit China and explore our ethnic minority areas. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to CSI.

I give the floor to CSI.

Thank you, Mr. President. Christian Solidarity International asks the expert mechanism to consider the threats facing the traditional economies of the people of West Papua. CSI thanks the experts for their explicit attention to food sovereignty in their July report. In Indonesian-controlled West Papua, government and corporations, backed up by military operations, have already cleared 19,000 hectares in Merauke, out of a planned 2 million hectares intended for the Indonesian government's so-called National Strategic Projects for Food and Energy Estates. All are conducted without free, prior, and informed consent. Though the program proclaims the goal of improving the economy and producing bioenergy for climate mitigation, such deforestation and land appropriation disrupt traditional ways of life and prevent West Papuans from accessing food such as sago, a staple food that is traditional to local economies. Protests throughout Indonesia against government policies spiked this past month, leading to violent clashes with government forces. With the increase in militarization under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, Indigenous communities are particularly vulnerable and face limited options for recourse to protect their forests and livelihoods. How can the Indonesian government uphold in law and practice the right of indigenous peoples to self-determination, including to freely pursue their economic, social, and cultural development? Thank you.

Thank you.

That was the last speaker that we can accommodate. I'll give the floor now to Madam Alfred Cunningham for concluding remarks. You have four minutes.

Thank you very much, President, distinguished participants, excellencies, indigenous peoples. I'd like to thank states and indigenous peoples and NGOs for their statements during this interactive dialogue, as well as for their continued commitment and cooperation with the MRIP in compliance with its mandate. The mechanism take notes of the concerns raised in some of the statements today. These are just some examples of what is faced by indigenous peoples, and we're grateful to them for raising these concerns during the interactive dialogue. Similarly, we've heard all certain practices that give us hope and inspiration to continue fighting for the rights of indigenous peoples. I'd like to reply to some of the questions raised in some of the statements. In response to the role, question role of indigenous women, our report on the rights of indigenous peoples to their traditional economies stresses that indigenous women play a fundamental role in sustaining food sovereignty as guardians of the seed and biological diversity, traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples, and in natural resource management. in response and how to collectively mobilize resources to make sure that the work in the Human Rights Council is meaningful and has an impact and be sustainable. The mechanism should urge countries to contribute to the voluntary fund and, of course, to update their contributions. We think the Human Rights Council has welcomed the Indigenous Peoples in this interactive dialogue. The mechanism could also support their participation in the annual Council panel and create a timetable and targets for advancing in discussions on the status of participation, improved participation of Indigenous peoples in debates in the Council that affect them. We're grateful to representatives. of Peru and Colombia for their statements regarding indigenous people in voluntary isolation and first contact, taking this opportunity to recall that the mechanism in its recommendation of the 2025 to the Human Rights Council has called for their official recognition and the respect for the principle of non-contact in response to how to advance the dissipation in governance of data governance and AI to protect free determination. The mechanism in its study has said that the intersection of indigenous peoples and AI raises important question marks as to equality, security, and cultural preservation and technological inclusion. Indigenous Thank you to you for your powerful statements. The EMRIP very much welcomes your voices in this call. They remind us that we are moving forward in the rights of indigenous peoples, and that means putting indigenous people in exile at the heart of our campaign, as well as women and girls, and ensuring legal recognition, social well-being, and justice, and meaningful participation through all relevant mechanisms and institutions. both within the UN and at an international level. I'd also like to reaffirm, in terms of cases of reprisals against activists of participants in the last MRIP, we are addressing this issue now and we've been in contact with members of Human Rights Council when appropriate. As we mentioned before, we face... As we said previously, we face a major financing gap, liquidity problems, which has impacted on the implementation of the mandate of the mechanism. We must work together to protect and promote those rights. In conclusion, the Emirate continues to be watchful and mindful of the concerns of indigenous peoples of the whole world, and we look forward to interest to cooperating in the years to come, and we very much hope to see each other. that we look forward to better times coming around again. Thank you.

Thank you. This brings us to the end of this interactive dialogue. I want to thank Madam Alfred Kunningham for her participation and all the panelists, speakers who are here. Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, we'll now open the interactive dialogue on the Secretary-General's report on cooperation with the United Nations. representatives and mechanisms in the sphere of human rights as per resolutions 3621, 4817 and 5424 of the Council. The list of speakers will close in 15 minutes. It's my pleasure to invite Ilse Brans-Keris, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, to present the report by video message.

Excellencies, distinguished delegates, it's an honor to present this year's report of the Secretary-General on intimidation and reprisals for cooperation.

Thank you, Mr. President.

My excellency, I apologize. I don't want to say that the connection between New York and Geneva is disturbed, but it seems to be the case anyway. Here we go.

Mr. President.

Yes, please. We can see you now and hear you, I think. Please go ahead.

Thank you, Mr. President. There was a misunderstanding. I thought there was a projection of a video, but I'm very pleased to be here. Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, It's an honor to present this year's report of the Secretary-General on Intimidation and Reprisals for Cooperation with the United Nations. I am grateful for the continued support of Member States and the trust placed by the Secretary-General in the role of Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, leading UN system-wide efforts to prevent and address such acts. I also thank you, Mr. President, for your principled leadership in raising allegations with States and reinforcing the Council's zero-tolerance stance on reprisals. The report before you documents a persistently high number of intimidation and reprisals by State and non-State actors against individuals engaging or seeking to engage with the United Nations. These incidents span all regions and involve 32 member states, including 10 Council members, the same number as in last year's report. Annex 1 includes new cases concerning 26 member states. Many states have appeared repeatedly in previous reports, suggesting possible patterns of recurrent reprisals. Annex 2 includes pre-existing cases concerning eight member states that are being actively followed up. The report does not reflect the full scope of the issue. Underreporting continues and serious protection concerns prevented the inclusion of verified allegations concerning two Member States, preventing their listing. Many other cases had to be reported anonymously due to fear of further reprisals. In certain contexts, a decline or absence of reported allegations may reflect effective intimidation rather than progress. Civil society actors continue to face threats and restrictions, including online, that hinder both safe engagement with the United Nations and reporting on reprisals. Several concerning trends persist. Self-censorship and the decision to refrain from cooperation with the United Nations or to do so only under condition of anonymity due to fear of reprisals continue. In one state alone, 62 individuals declined engagement with the United Nations citing fear of reprisals. More than 40 individuals and 14 organizations requested anonymous reporting. Online and offline surveillance of those who cooperate or attempt to cooperate with the United Nations was again reported in one third of the states included in the report. Over half of the states in the report apply laws and regulations that deter or hinder cooperation with the United Nations, particularly laws relating to civil society, counterterrorism, and national security. One deeply concerning development in this year's report is the documentation of 11 cases of intimidation and reprisals involving transnational repression concerning six member states. These acts ranging from criminal charges, surveillance, harassment, and threats to confiscation of property and passports and extradition attempts against a recognized refugee. targeted individuals directly engaging with the United Nations, as well as their relatives and colleagues. The report also highlights the targeting on individuals belonging to specific groups at heightened risk, including women, human rights defenders and peacebuilders, youth, indigenous peoples, and individuals from the LGBTIQ+ community or those advocating for their rights at the UN. The gender-specific nature of reprisals against women for cooperation with the Security Council remains alarming. Excellencies, at this critical moment for human rights and civic space globally, I would like to offer a few reflections on progress in our work alongside an assessment of continued challenges. The UN system is now more attuned to the risks, both online and offline, faced by those who engage with us, and better equipped to prevent, document and respond to reprisals. Our team and I have worked consistently to raise awareness with Member States and to build capacity across the UN, including on good practices. For example, we have supported the development of systems to prevent and respond to reprisals and promote zero-tolerance messaging in UN bodies, including in the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Forum on Business and Human Rights, and the Security Council. This has led to improved reporting and protection for victims. We have also improved our methodology and reporting, enabling us to better document incidents and to analyze and report on global trends. We continue to strengthen collaboration across the UN system and with civil society, and I welcome the growing engagement. In 2025, 16 member states, half of those included in the report, responded to outreach on specific cases. That's up from 12 the previous year. Engagement and dialogue, even when challenging, can open possible pathways to resolve allegations. While important progress has been made, serious challenges persist. A considerable number of member states continue to dismiss reprisals allegations by invoking national security, the application of domestic law, or by characterizing individuals as terrorists. Member states should examine corroborated allegations and, where appropriate, initiate investigations. Yet feedback on follow-up is limited and accountability remains elusive. Despite strong political support for the mandate, it lacks adequate financial resources, limiting our ability to work across the UN system and protect victims. While mindful of the current climate and the serious funding constraints across the UN, work on reprisals must remain a priority. It enables safe access to the UN for victims and rights holders, promotes accountability, and safeguards the UN's ability to deliver on its mandate. The Secretary-General's strong commitment to keep reprisals, prevention, and response central to UN action should cut across all key UN initiatives, including the Pact for the Future and the United Nations 80. Excellencies, the path forward is clear. We must move beyond expressions of concern and translate our commitments and responsibility to prevent and address reprisals into concrete action. Ensuring the safety of those who engage with the United Nations is not optional, it is essential. As space for civic participation faces increasing pressure globally, the importance of this mandate in ensuring safe and inclusive engagement with the UN is more vital than ever.

Thank you.

Thank you. I'd now like to invite delegations to raise questions and make any points or comments on the report. I'd like to give the floor to the distinguished representative Ireland on behalf of group of countries.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the members of the Reprisals Core Group, Fiji, Ghana, Hungary, Uruguay and my own country, Ireland. We welcome the Secretary-General 's report and we commend the Assistant Secretary-General 's continued work to prevent and address acts of intimidation or reprisal across the UN system. We reaffirm also the right of everyone individually and in association with others to access, cooperate and communicate freely with international bodies, including the United Nations and its mechanisms. We are gravely concerned by continued reports of reprisals against those seeking to engage with the UN and its mechanisms and by the increase in targeted repression across borders. We are further concerned that the scale of reprisals likely goes beyond the instances outlined in the report, as victims self-censor due to fear of further intimidation or attacks. The voices of civil society organizations and human rights defenders are crucial to the work of the United Nations. President, we condemn. In the strongest terms, all acts of intimidation or reprisals, both online and offline, by state and non-state actors against those who engage or seek to engage with the United Nations and its mechanisms.

We urge all member states to.

Put an end to these acts, which weaken civil society's access to and participation in UN processes.

Thank you, Monsieur le Président.

Thank you. I'd now like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of Australia on behalf of a group of countries.

Mr. President, I deliver this statement on behalf of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

We welcome this report. While not forgetting those cases that go unreported and unaddressed, we want to highlight five cases in this report.

One, we condemn severe restrictions imposed by Nicaragua on civil society, including forced dissolution of civil society organizations. Two, amidst allegations of reprisals, we share concerns about Russia's designation of the International Committee of Indigenous Peoples of Russia.

As extremist for its cooperation with the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous People.

Three, we are deeply concerned by instances of reprisals against human rights defenders in China and against Jimmy Lai's legal team and their families. We object to the application of Hong Kong's national security legislation, including extraterritorially, to arrest or pressure activists. Four, we call on Iran to cease reprisals against human rights defenders stemming from the 2022 protests. And five, we are alarmed that in Afghanistan, UNAMA has recorded at least four instances of reprisals against individuals including women and media workers, for their cooperation with the UN. Mr. President, our countries value and respect the independence and integrity of UN experts and mandate holders. We condemn all reprisals, including rising incidents of transnational repressions with states reaching beyond their borders.

To the distinguished representative on behalf of the group of countries, Switzerland.

I deliver this statement on behalf of Austria, Liechtenstein, Slovenia, and Switzerland. We thank the Secretary-General for his report and welcome the Assistant Secretary-General's continued efforts to address acts of intimidation and reprisals across the United Nations system. Once again, we are confronted with a high number of reported acts of intimidation and reprisals by states and non-state actors against those who cooperate or seek to cooperate with the UN. This is particularly concerning given that the report cannot capture the full extent and scope of persons or groups affected, as many cases remain anonymous or unreported due to serious protection concerns. In some cases, even anonymity is not regarded as sufficient protection. We are equally highly alarmed by the deepening trend of transnational repression and its growing scale and sophistication. The chilling effects of such acts seriously hinder the meaningful and safe engagement of civil society and human rights defenders with the UN. Their courageous work is indispensable to the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide. We strongly condemn all acts of intimidation and reprisals and call on all states and non-state actors to put an end to them and to ensure accountability for perpetrators. Assistant Secretary-General, how can we further strengthen the system to ensure that civil society and human rights defenders are better protected and not punished for engaging for the UN? I thank you.

Thank you.

I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the European Union.

The European Union thanks Assistant Secretary-General Branskeris for her presentation. Any form of intimidation, harassment, and reprisals against individuals and groups.

Who cooperate or seek to cooperate with the UN is unacceptable. It is a duty of all states to provide necessary protection from acts that constitute grave attacks against the essence and proper functioning of the UN system.

Support to human rights defenders and civil society is a longstanding EU priority, as they play a vital role in informing and shaping UN decisions, enhancing accountability, and promoting inclusive dialogue.

We welcome the good practices at national and international levels indicated in the report, while deeply

regretting some states' misuse of legislation, including counterterrorism and national security, to deter and hinder cooperation with the UN. The number of reported acts of intimidation and reprisals remains disturbingly high.

The EU strongly condemns any form of reprisals against HRDs and civil society organizations

including those who cooperate with the UN in any form. The EU reiterates its concern about the gender-specific nature and severity of reprisals targeting women, as well as the specific risks for young people and indigenous peoples.

Ms. Branskaris, could you please elaborate on the nature of reprisals through transnational repression? I thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ghana. on behalf of the African Group.

Mr. President, the African Group takes note of the Secretary-General's report on combating acts of intimidation and reprisals against individuals and groups seeking or having cooperated with the United Nations, its representatives, and its mechanisms in the field of human rights, and commends the efforts of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on this issue. We are of the view that such acts violate fundamental rights, undermine the credibility of the United Nations, and require measures to protect, investigate, and prosecute the perpetrators, involving collaboration between United Nations mechanisms, states, and civil society to prevent and put an end to them. While endorsing the elements of good practice identified in the report, the African Group would also like to emphasize the need to raise awareness among states of their obligation to protect the public and confidential reporting of cases to the UN and the use of protection frameworks put in place by entities such as the special procedures. To conclude, The African group urges states with the primary responsibility for preventing and combating such acts of intimidation and reprisals to intensify their efforts in cooperation with the United Nations. This action aims to ensure that the measures taken by states are in line with the

objectives of the United Nations, particularly in terms of human rights and international security. Thank you.

Thank you. And I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela on behalf of a group of countries.

Thank you, President. It's an honor to take the floor on behalf of the Group of Friends to Defend the UN Charter. We underscore the importance of cooperation with the United Nations, underpinned in the principles of genuine dialogue and constructive cooperation. It should be geared to strengthening the capacities of states that so require it, providing tools to allow them to guarantee promotion, protection, and enjoyment of the human rights of peoples, including the right to development. It should contribute to stepping up efforts for the effective implementation of Agenda 20, focused on people and particularly the most vulnerable. The Group of Friends restates its concern at the illegal application of unilateral coercive measures. This restricts the obligation of states to cooperate and achieve the relevant human rights. The Group of Friends would ask the UN system to really rally to the rejection of these actions which are against the UN Charter and against international law, which are the UCMs negatively affecting the rights of all peoples and human rights of generations. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Luxembourg on behalf of a group of countries.

Mr. President, I deliver this statement on behalf of Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. Human rights defenders inform our multilateral system every day, and we continue to stand up for those who are silenced. Shao Hongtong from Hong Kong is arbitrarily detained for exercising her right to freedom of expression. We call for her immediate release. Staff of the human rights center Viasna face arbitrary arrest in Belarus. We call for their access to health care, their charges to be dropped, and their release. Claudia Gonzalez Orellana is arbitrarily detained in Guatemala for interacting with the International Commission Against Impunity. We call for an independent legal process and her charges and house arrest to be dropped. Manouchehr Bakhtiar from Iran is arbitrarily detained for calling for justice for his son's death. We call for his lines of communication to be reestablished and his release. The passport of Ibrahim Kadar Abdi from Djibouti was confiscated after participating in the Council in 2018. We count on the authorities to return his passport without further delay. Pham Doan Trang is arbitrarily detained for interacting with the UN on the human rights situation in Vietnam. We were disappointed that Ms. Trang was not part of the national independence amnesties. In light of her deteriorating health, we call for her release.

Thank you.

The distinguished representative of Liechtenstein.

Thank you, Mr. President. Liechtenstein thanks the Secretary-General for the submission of her report on cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives, and mechanisms in the field of human rights. Liechtenstein strongly condemns any threats, attacks, and reprisals, both online and offline, against individuals and groups that cooperate with the United Nations, its representatives, and mechanisms in the field of the human rights, as well as against their families, conducted by both state and non-state actors. This is not only an infringement of several human rights, but also a negative impact on the functioning of the UN system and its mechanisms. While we welcome the recent release of Alaa Abdel Fattah, we are concerned about the number of cases that remain unresolved, including the cases of Lujain al-Hathloul or Ibrahim Hegazy, two cases we have raised our concerns about already in the past. Many individual cases are emblematic for a systematic crackdown of civil society and human rights work. We have raised concern over the national security law in Hong Kong in the past, as well as the case of Jimmy Lai, in which the working group on arbitrary detention has found a number of human rights violations. We call for his immediate release. Upholding freedom of opinion and expression, peaceful assembly and association, as well as the right to privacy and the right to a fair trial, to just mention a few, are crucial for a vivid civil society and are enablers for the promotion and enjoyment of all human rights. I thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Norway.

Thank you, Mr. President. We thank the Secretary-General for his report on reprisals against those cooperating with the United Nations.

We appreciate the report's

overview of policy developments and good practice and recommendations on how best to prevent intimidation and reprisals. Norway is a staunch supporter of human rights defenders and civil society. Civil society provides services and advocacy, including where governments fail to act. It gives valuable input in shaping policies, ensuring that decision-making is inclusive and rights-based. All civil society actors and human rights defenders who engage in international fora must be able to do so safely, freely, and without fear. We are deeply concerned by targeting of individuals who belong to the LGBT+ community or who advocate for their rights. Others at heightened risk include youth, women, human rights defenders, peace builders, indigenous peoples, along with trade unionists, lawyers, journalists, Victims of human rights violations as well as witnesses. Further, we note with concern that allegation of transnational repression have increased. Targeted repression across borders appears to be growing both in scale and sophistication. President, member states bear the primary responsibility for preventing and addressing acts of intimidation and reprisals. We urge them to intensify their efforts.

Thank you. The list of speakers is closed. So I'd now like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of Denmark.

Thank you, Mr. President. We thank the Secretary-General for his report and the Assistant Secretary-General for this presentation. Denmark is very concerned over the high number of reported acts of intimidation and reprisals against

those who have cooperated with the UN.

We wish to draw your attention to the situation of Mr. Abdul Hadi Al-Khawaja, who is serving a life sentence in Bahrain. For the seventh time since 2011, this report mentions Mr. Al-Khawaja, including the allegation of arbitrary arrests, his lengthy sentence, and conditions during his imprisonment. In a recent press release, Special Procedures mandate holders have raised concerns about the general conditions for prisoners in Jau Prison. Similarly, in this report, concerns are raised regarding the conditions for Mr. Al-Khawaja. Denmark finds the described conditions very concerning. While welcoming the release of prisoners in Bahrain during the past year, we once again call for the release of Mr. Al-Khawaja, a dual citizen of Bahrain and Denmark, without further delay.

We further

call on Bahrain and all other states to release all human rights defenders imprisoned for their exercising their fundamental freedoms and for states to refrain from any act of intimidation or reprisal.

I thank you.

Thank you.

I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mauritania.

President, I would like to say that we welcome the report of the Secretary-General on cooperation with the United Nations, and I'd like to reaffirm our deep commitment to cooperate fully with all the United Nations entities and mechanisms, and that we wish to provide all guarantees to protect activists far from any reprisals, intimidation, or repression. The government believes that civil society organizations and human rights defenders have a pivotal role to play in strengthening human rights and promoting and protecting them. We have worked to strengthen the legislative and institutional framework, continuing the smooth operating of these bodies. We've adopted Law 004, 2021, regarding the activities of associations, bodies, et cetera. And this is a law that was promulgated enshrining the system of declaration rather than the system of prior authorization, which is part and parcel of the requirements under the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights. Regarding the situation of UN representatives in the Palestinian territories, the occupied Palestinian territories. We want to condemn the targeting of UN representatives and staff in the occupied Palestinian territories. Thank you.

The distinguished representative, Indonesia, you have the floor.

Mr. President. Indonesia is strongly committed to a safe and enabling environment for civil society, which actively and freely contributes to our development and engages with the United Nations, including the UPR and treaty bodies. In the case against Indonesia, our government has provided a detailed response, clarifying that competent authorities found no evidence to support the allegations. We stress that the ESR report must give due consideration to government replies. Cases lacking credible evidence should not be included. It is also concerning that an additional case on Indonesia was included without prior consultation. OHCHR must engage government first to prevent unverified information in official UN documents. Mr. President. We are also concerned by the report's partiality. It focuses largely on the global south, while it fails to address serious concern in the north, including persistent intimidation, arbitrary arrest, and reprisals against Palestinian activists, even within academic institutions. Such omissions undermine the report's credibility. We urge that future reports be objective, impartial, and non-selective. Thank you.

Thank you. I'd like to give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cuba.

President, we are deeply concerned at the fact that this report just focuses on developing countries, not even a reference to the many cases of threats, reprisals, which are broadly documented in developed countries against, for instance, migrant workers, migrants, people of African descent, and others working with the UN. Total silence on unjustifiable cases when there are many special procedures under the Human Rights Council denounced. harassment, repression, and clampdown on university students, as well as many thousands of people protesting in developed countries against the genocide in Palestine. We reject the abuse of human rights mechanisms which stray from the main mandate given to them, selectivity, double standards, and the zero checking on the veracity of the reports. And this is something, sadly, we see all too often in the system. These issues have to be addressed frankly and with transparency to ensure that this does not go on. This is a priority if we are to uphold the noble cause of human rights. Thank you,

the distinguished representative of Vietnam.

Mr. President, Vietnam thanks the Deputy Secretary General for the presentation of the report. Fundamental human rights are recognized in Vietnam's constitution, and they are protected and promoted by both legal documents and actual practices. The country has also pledged to implement accepted UPR recommendations and international conventions on human rights to which it is a party, and views this as a political and legal responsibility of the state. Vietnam regrets the allegation concerning Vietnam in the report and in the statement of some countries regarding some individual, whom have not been in any way subjected to reprisal, accumulation, or detention on the basis of exercising their fundamental rights. If Vietnam or individuals are given condition to operate normally in line with regulations, take responsibility for the activities before the law. Vietnam affirmed its readiness to work constructively with all member states of the Council. We stress the objectivity, impartiality, and non-selectivity must guide the methodology of evidence collection and assessment, and that dialogue and cooperation should remain at the core of this Council work. I thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you.

I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Nepal.

Mr. President.

Nepal thanks the Secretary General for his report.

We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the principles of UN Charter, international

human rights instruments and mechanisms, and to effective multilateralism with United Nations at the core.

Nepal has long engaged constructively with the UN human rights bodies and mechanisms, including the universal periodic review

process, treaty bodies, and special procedure mandate holders. At the national level, we have advanced legislative, institutional, and policy measures to

promote and protect human rights in line with our international commitment.

Mr. President, we believe that robust relations between the United Nations and member states based on genuine cooperation, dialogue, mutual respect, and non-politicization are prerequisites for making multilateralism work for people and planet. Acts of reprisals and intimidations against UN staff are unacceptable. As a democratic country with vibrant civic space, Nepal deeply values its partnership with United Nations in advancing peace, democracy, sustainable development, and the protection and promotion of human rights.

I thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to distinguished representative of Burkina Faso.

President, my delegation would like to congratulate the Secretary-General for the quality of this report. It takes note of the normative measures as well as the institutional measures developed by states to protect all actors in civil society, including human rights defenders, against reprisals because they have cooperated with the United Nations. Burkina Faso set up a favorable framework enabling human rights defenders and civil society to carry out their activities. Thus, the law protecting human rights defenders, which was adopted in 2017, enshrines both the rights and responsibilities of human rights defenders, and it means that the state is obliged to protect them, as well as their relatives, protect them from reprisals and other acts of intimidation, such as slander, harassment, and death threats. Similarly, civil society organizations regularly and in an unhindered fashion submit reports to treaty bodies, special procedures, and indeed on the occasion of the UPR, they're able to supply information on the human rights situation. Burkina Faso is... committed to strengthening human rights defense capacities and those of civil society so that they can carry out their activities respecting national legislation as well as taking into account national security issues. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Uruguay.

President, we welcome the report on cooperation with the United Nations as well as the presentation by the ASG to this Council, we share the concerns that the reduction in civic space and attacks on protection of human rights defenders have a negative impact in all scenarios of cooperation with the United Nations. We're also troubled by trends noted in the report, such as attacks on persons belonging to the LGBTI community or those defending their rights at the United Nations, attacks against youth human rights defenders, promoters of peace, activists, journalists, victims of human rights violations, among other groups noted in the report. Participation of civil society actors and human rights activists in the work of the UN is essential to guarantee credibility. and effectiveness of this organization, persisting reprisals against those who defend, cooperate, or report human rights violations constitutes a grave threat to the international human rights protection system and requires the priority consideration of this Council as the principal protection body. Those actions not only undermine trust in the mechanisms, but also generate an intimidatory effect which impedes the active participation of civil society. We reaffirm our strenuous condemnation for all acts of intimidation or reprisals, which are absolutely unjustifiable and run contrary to the principles and purposes of the UN.

Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to the Czech Republic. Mr. President, the Czech Republic aligns itself with the EU statement and thanks the Secretary General for the annual report. We are alarmed by the increasing acts of intimidation of human rights defenders reported.

We are also concerned by the high number of unreported cases due to fear of reprisals.

We condemn the implementation of repressive legal instruments by states to criminalize cooperation with international organizations, including the UN human rights mechanisms, aiming to deter civil society from cooperation with the UN. We call on Russia to release the arbitrarily detained Mr. Gorinov, whose case is documented by the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and included in this year's report by the Secretary-General. Furthermore, we urge the Belarusian authorities to release all political prisoners, including representatives of the Human Rights Center Viasna. This NGO providing legal assistance has been included in the Secretary-General report since 2021. Thank you.

Thank you.

I give the floor to the Senior Representative of China.

Thank you.

Thank you, President. China attaches great importance to promotion and protection of human rights and leads constructive dialogue and cooperation with the UN human rights mechanisms, supporting the positive role of various sectors of society. China expresses its regret and opposition to the fact that the SG's report uses selectively information provided by NGOs and individuals, citing several Chinese cases, countries like Australia, and Luxembourg in their statement seek to maliciously manipulate cases linked to Hong Kong to whitewash criminals and intervene in internal judicial processes of China by calumniing and defaming China. This kind of conduct has nothing to do with promoting and protecting human rights. It also runs against, it has nothing to do with the principle of the, ignores the rule of law and also runs against the principles and purposes of the United Nations. No one should have any Just for being a human rights defender, no one is above the law. China is firmly opposed to abuse of UN mechanisms, is opposed to promotion of criminals under the guise of being UN partners, and is opposed to labeling law enforcement actions as being repressions. We call on the Secretariat and the countries concerned to immediately correct the errors, to respect the objectives and principles of the UN Charter, and to not interfere in the sovereignty and judicial independence of the states concerned. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Bangladesh.

Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. President, Bangladesh takes note of the Secretary-General 's report and thanks Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights for her presentation of the report. Mr. President, the democracy in Bangladesh has always been shaped by the presence of a vibrant civil society, civic space, as well as effective policy advocacy by NGOs. Amidst shrinking civic space as observed for the past few years, Bangladesh witnessed a mass uprising in August 2024 led by the student and mass people. The interim government formed following the mass uprising has made the promotion and protection of human rights for all citizens as its topmost priority. Subsequently, political prisoners and human rights activists who were arbitrarily detained had been released. Immediate initiatives were undertaken to put an end to the harassment against civil society members. Mr. President, we would like to underscore that our government has promptly addressed many of the issues as mentioned in the earlier iterations of the report and not the positive reflection of the report in this regard, in particular in the annex part. Finally, we reiterate the commitment of our government towards promotion and protection of human rights, including through the constructive engagement of the civil society representatives, NGOs and INGOs. I thank you, Mr.

President. Thank you.

I give the floor to the

Senior Representative of Egypt.

Thank you, President. The delegation of Egypt takes note of the Secretary-General 's report on cooperation with UN organizations. We stress the importance of cooperation. These organizations must, however, verify the sources for them to be credible to avoid any abuse or exploitation of the information collected to further hidden agendas or ulterior motives. We insist on the importance of verifying that information, especially allegations of there being actions, of there being reprisals. The Egyptian delegation reaffirms the importance of sovereignty of the law and the primacy of legislation. We insist, we stress our commitment to cooperating with the UN human rights mechanisms free from any abuse, and we reaffirm that we are firmly committed to not adopt such measures when it comes to cooperation with those UN bodies. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Kenya.

Thank you, Mr. President. Kenya takes note of the Secretary-General's report and acknowledges the comprehensive efforts undertaken to address reprisals and intimidation linked to cooperation with the United Nations mechanisms. As a longstanding host of the United Nations Environmental Program, UN-Habitat, and the expanding UN complex, including the newly inaugurated OHCHR multi-country office, Kenya remains deeply committed to upholding the core values and operations of the United Nations in Africa and globally. We acknowledge the important roles played by the human rights defenders, including civil society, journalists, and community leaders, who contribute meaningfully to the United Nations' work. We also recall that the exercise of rights and freedom must be accompanied by responsibility to uphold the security and order to enable these rights to flourish, and that all actors must operate within the framework of legality and mutual respect. Mr. President, Kenya further underlines the necessity for deeper collaboration with regional institution to ground international interventions in the realities of those most affected and graft solutions to combat reprisal that are contextually rooted and sustainable. Mr. President, Kenya has eliminated visa requirements for all countries, allowing visa-free entry for up to 60 to 90 days. The bold policy removes bureaucratic hurdles and promotes seamless access, strengthening our role as a regional hub for diplomacy and engagement. We underscore the commitment to inclusive and open participation, free from reprisal intimidation. I thank you.

Thank you.

I give the floor to South Africa.

Mr. President, in 1967, the then-UN Commission on Human Rights established its first-ever special procedures mechanism, focusing on apartheid South Africa. Accordingly, for my delegation, were it not for cooperation with the UN, its representatives, and mechanisms, my delegation might not have been able to take its rightful place among the family of nations. South Africa can therefore always be on to defend those individuals and groups that are subject to intimidation and reprisals. However, encouraging individuals and groups to continue cooperating will undoubtedly be challenging when the very special procedure mechanisms that they are meant to cooperate with are themselves subject to intimidation and reprisals.

This is particularly the case for those seeking to draw attention to the genocide in Gaza,

which has been brought to the fore by a range of special procedures mechanisms, including the SRO on the OPT. We thus join your call, Mr. President, for all member states to cooperate with mandate holders and to refrain from any acts of intimidation or reprisal against them. The imposition of sanctions undermines the integrity of the UN human rights system. As the High Commissioner indicated, the intensification of attacks against international institutions and their personnel must stop. As such, we need to protect all special procedure mechanisms, ensuring that they can discharge their mandates without fear or favor in a safe and enabling environment. I thank you.

Thank you.

I give the floor to Cameroon. Thank you, President. We align with the statement delivered by the African group. My delegation commends the holding of this dialogue and stresses the importance of cooperation with the UN as an essential support to national efforts to promote and protect human rights through constructive dialogue that takes into account the priorities and challenges inherent to each country. With respect to references to Cameroon, we firmly reject the allegations made. My country has a robust legal institutional framework to prevent and sanction all intimidation and reprisals and uphold fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, are guaranteed. The cases mentioned in the report are more to do with political activism than protection of human rights. The competent authorities ensure in upholding the rule of law, they seek to distinguish common law offenses from actions by human rights defenders strictly while ensuring protection of persons and upholding public order. Dialogue frameworks exist and remain open. Cameroon reaffirms finally that only an approach based on dialogue and cooperation allows us to make progress. Stigmatization and the naming and shaming policy favors neither trust nor progress. As in the past, my country remains willing to pursue its cooperation with the UN, OHCHR, and its mechanisms.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Thank you. War crimes, crimes against humanity, and now genocide are being committed in plain sight by Israel against the Palestinian people, particularly in Gaza. But what happens to those who dare to raise their voices within the UN system about these atrocities? They face intimidations, reprisals, restrictions, accusations of terrorism, and sanctions. Palestinian organizations like Al-Haq, PCHR, and Al-Mizan have been sanctioned by the United States simply for seeking accountability and justice. And it does not stop there. The United States even imposed sanctions on Francesca Albanese, a UN special rapporteur, in blatant violation of international norms and a direct attack on the integrity of the human rights system. If special procedures whose mandate is to uphold truth are attacked and intimidated, how can organizations cooperating with the UN feel safe? How can victims trust a system that punishes those defending them while taking little to no concrete action? We must ask, what measures are being taken to protect human rights defenders and special rapporteurs from such attacks and reprisals? And what can member states do to end this dangerous trend? We urge you, do not ignore this question. The credibility of the entire system is at stake. A system built to protect and prevent cannot survive if its defenders are sanctioned and silenced. Thank you.

Thank you.

I give the floor to Algeria.

Thank you, Mr. President. My delegation takes note of the Secretary General's report and reaffirms the central role of the United Nations human right mechanisms in promoting and protecting human rights everywhere. We also acknowledge the contribution of civil society organization in this regard. Algeria reaffirms its full commitment to cooperating with UN mechanisms. The Algerian Government continues to supply detailed responses to the communications of the special procedures mechanism. In this regard, we stress the importance of ensuring the accuracy and credibility of the information these mechanisms receive. While we do affirm that any act of reprisal against individual or civil society organization for engaging with the UN are unacceptable, we do underline that cooperation with the UN and its mechanisms does not confer immunity from legal accountability. Mr. President, we express deep concern over the growing challenge facing special procedures, which threaten their integrity, independence, and overall effectiveness. The rising instances of attacks, intimidation, and reprisal against mandate holders are particularly alarming. Such actions, which not only target them as individuals, but undermine the entire system of special procedures, and by extension, the UN human rights framework. We echo the High Commissioner's call for the immediate reversal of these measures and reaffirm our full support for the effort led by special procedure mandate holder. I think...

Thank you. I've been in not present, so I'll give the floor then to Ghana.

Mr. President, Ghana aligns itself with the statements delivered on behalf of the African group and by Ireland on behalf of the core group on reprisals. We stress that cooperation with the UN and its mechanisms is essential to advancing human rights and must be fully protected. As a member of the Core Group on Reprisals, we are deeply concerned by increasing reports of intimidation against persons and groups that engage with the UN. Such acts not only silence critical voices, but also impugn on the credibility of the UN system and, by extension, the international human rights system as a whole. Ghana has consistently demonstrated its openness to constructive engagements with the UN system and encourages all states to facilitate the participation and involvement of the citizens in the affairs of the UN. We believe that without constructive dialogue and accountability, no genuine progress can be made on sustainable development, peace, and security. Mr. President, no person should face threats or persecution for cooperating with the UN. Ghana has strongly Ghana strongly supports the Secretary-General's call for zero tolerance and on reprisals and urges all states to take decisive action to combat this phenomenon. In closing, Ghana reaffirms its commitments to ensuring that all individuals can engage safely and freely with the UN in the noble pursuit of human rights. I thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Ecuador.

President, my delegation thanks the Secretary-General for the report and expresses its concern at the increase in selective repression across borders, as well as the impact of those practices on the work of human rights defenders and the deterrent effect this has on those who, in complex contexts, continue to promote and protect human rights. We agree that to mitigate the risk of reprisals and prevent acts of intimidation, what's needed is a strong response. underpinned in documentation and systematic follow-up by the whole UN system, together with active cooperation among states and affected persons. We reiterate that a safe, plural, participative civic space is a crucial condition for the relevance of human rights and for strengthening democracy. Therefore, we welcome the contributions from human rights defenders and various social actors to support the protection of rights, peacebuilding, and the promotion of sustainable development. Finally, we reiterate the importance of the UN system continuing to consolidate as a forum where the protection of civic space and of human rights defenders becomes a reality in all regions of the world. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to the Russian Federation.

President, we view the content of the report, a bare-faced attack on Russia in the context of alleged repression against certain peoples and organizations, an unacceptable attempt to interfere in the actions of the law enforcement and judicial systems. We're forced to note that reprisals are being given to not just representatives of civil states and to states that cooperate and work with the United Nations and its mechanisms. However, this negative trend is growing, especially in states in whose territories UN stations are located. This includes preventing dissipation of events like these on the grounds of visa requirements. Russia knows this problem well. In September this year, one of the key Russian experts of a Russian government delegation taking part in presenting a national report to the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights was unable to receive a Swiss visa. That glaring incident coincided with the start of the Council session, which is the key organ of the UN system to combat those very kind of phenomena. This kind of practice is a gross violation of commitments assumed by certain countries as UN host states or its duty stations. We call on the Council to give undivided attention to this topic. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor

to the distinguished representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Thank you, Mr. President. The Islamic Republic of Iran recognizes the importance of cooperation with the United Nations, grounded in genuine dialogue and constructive engagement. We emphasize that such cooperation must always prioritize respect for the sovereignty of a state. We categorically reject the content of paragraph 66 and 67 of the report, which are based on inaccurate and misleading information provided to the United Nations, we believe that any cooperation between UN mechanisms and individual Victim members must be guided by the principle of transparency, objectivity, and non-interference. These principles are especially critical for countries that are subjected to monitoring mechanisms established without their consent. The United Nations must ensure that such selective, politically motivated mandates do not further erode trust or widen the gap between the organization the concerned member state. Mr. President, acts of intimidation and reprisal against individuals and groups cooperating with the United Nations can occur in various forms and at different levels. These are not limited to individuals from specific countries. Reprisals may also occur in the context of intergovernmental interactions with the UN itself.

Thank you. I give the floor now to the senior representative of Armenia.

Thank you, Mr. President. Armenia confirms its unwavering support for the fundamental principle that everyone must be empowered to safely and freely cooperate with the United Nations and its mechanisms in the field of human rights. We are concerned that there are still reports of acts of intimidation and threats against those interacting with the UN. Closing or restricting UN offices and agencies not only limits critical support to disadvantaged communities, but also undermines confidence in the global system and silences voices that require the most to be heard. This Council's principles of cooperation and shared accountability are encompassable with such actions. Armenia has continuously remained an open and constructive partnership with the UN, its representatives, and mechanisms. Armenia views engagement with treaty bodies, special procedures, and UPR as an avenue to further strengthen our human rights protections and the benefit for international best practices. We also are convinced that this inclusive cooperation benefits both people and the UN system as a whole.

Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Iraq. Thank you, President. Delegation of the Republic of Iraq has taken note of the report submitted. We would like to add the following points. First of all, Iraq has sought to create a safe, conducive environment for civil society, since we are convinced of the vital importance of the role of civil society There is no better proof of this than the existence of close to 5,000 NGOs, national and international, active in the sphere of human rights at national level. Secondly, the report contained allegations that were drawn from non-credible, unofficial information. In that regard, we would point out that our permanent mission in New York has provided the necessary information and ample information at the request of the parties concerned. Iraq renews its determination to show no tolerance towards any attempt at reprisals or threats and is committed to ensure accountability. towards perpetrators of such acts. We recall that we are committed to legislation and obligations assumed at an international level. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to Poland.

Thank you, Mr. President. Poland aligns itself with the statement of the European Union. We would like to thank Assistant Secretary General for the presentation of the report. Reprisals or retaliation against human rights defenders, civil society actors, and other groups for their cooperation with the United Nations need to be clearly and strongly condemned. We are alarmed by the long list of cases of intimidation, harassment, arbitrary detention, physical violence, and misuse of regulations against individuals and groups committed to support our organization in upholding human rights. In some instances, these are no longer incidents, but deliberate systematic practices of some states, including Belarus and the Russian Federation, to erase the civic space and to silence those who are speaking out. We cannot allow it to happen. Without safe engagement of individuals and groups with the system designed to advance human rights, it will be more difficult to document situations in which those rights are violated and to ensure accountability. Even more importantly, we must fulfill our repeated commitment most recently made in the Pact for the Future to protect those who put their trust with the United Nations from risk, threats, and violence. I thank you.

Thank you.

I give the floor to Japan.

Merci, Mr. President.

Japan thanks the Secretary-General for his report on intimidation and reprisal against those who cooperate with the United Nations, including human rights defenders and other civil society actors. We remain deeply concerned by the persistent and widespread nature of such acts, which threaten the integrity of UN human rights mechanism. In particular, we note with concern the growing trend of transnational repression, as the Secretary-General report illustrates. Such action undermine international protection mechanism and have a chilling effect on civil society everywhere. In this regard, we welcome the recent publication of the OSCHR Civic Space Brief on Transitional Repression as an important contribution to raising awareness of this issue and mobilizing response by the international community. We believe contribution and engagement by civil society are crucial to promote, protect human rights, both in national and international context. Especially civil society meaningful participation in this Council is integral to ensuring that we have fruitful discussion.

Japan recalled that in accordance with international human rights standards.

All states must respect and protect human rights and refrain from committing acts of transnational repression. We reiterate our firm commitment to protecting civic space so that civil society actors can cooperate freely with the United Nations.

I thank you. Thank you.

I give the floor to the Maldives.

Thank you, Mr. President. The Maldives takes note of the Secretary-General's report. The Maldives rejects all acts of reprisals against special procedure mandate holders. These actions undermine the credibility and effectiveness of the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms and deter victims and defenders from speaking out. Mr. President, the report itself clearly states that several Palestinian individuals, allegedly victims of violations of international humanitarian law, who were released from Israeli detention both in the West Bank and Gaza, refused to be interviewed by the UN or its CHR due to fear of reprisals from Israeli authorities. These victims are just the tip of the iceberg. Day by day, we hear about the ongoing acts of violations of international human rights law by Israeli government with complete impunity. The Moldus condemns the persisting violations caused by Israel on the state of Palestine. They must be held accountable to repeal restrictive laws and address reprisals. Mr. President, to conclude, the Moldus reiterates our standing invitation to all special procedure mandate holders. We call on all states to uphold the principles of the UN Charter and to guarantee that every individual and group can engage with the UN freely, meaningfully, and without fear. Thank you.

Thank you.

I give the floor to Bolivia.

Thank you, President. We're grateful for the presentation of the report. We recognize the key contribution and we reaffirm our commitment to the human rights treaty body mechanisms and in their mission to contribute to member states and in delivery of their international obligations, objectivity, impartiality, and non-selectivity. made possible are key conditions for any cooperation. Unilateral measures impose mandates without consent of the country concerned, do not lead to positive change nor sustainable change. We express our full solidarity and we reject all reprisals against the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territories. Francesca Albanese. We want to stress the importance of promotive constructive relations and cooperative relations between states and mandate holders, a relationship made-up of genuine, transparent, open and lasting dialogue. Thank you.

Thank you. I give the floor to the representative of Germany.

Mr. President, Germany aligns itself with the EU statement and welcomes the report of the Secretary-General.

Reprisals undermine human rights and also the UN system, which cannot function effectively without civil society participation. In countries such as Russia, China, Iran, Belarus, or Nicaragua, reprisals are almost total. Reprisals are used, as well as transnational repression, to close the few spaces citizens have left.

To raise their voice against human rights violations. However, as the report shows, other countries also engage in reprisals across all regions.

We condemn reprisals in the strongest terms and express our utmost concern about the many individual cases documented in the report.

This includes, but is not limited to, the cases of Alexei Sokolov, Human Rights Centre Viasna, Mohammad Zeyfzadeh, Yu Wensheng, Xu Yan, Xu Hangtong, Basma Mostafa, Olnar Alberto Ortiz Bolivar, Maximien Ngo Mbe, and Ms. Alice Nkom. Thank you.

Thank you.

I give the floor to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Thank you, President. We reject once more the unfounded references contained in the report presented by the ASG for human rights with respect to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Once again, they echo false information that is published for political ends by the null and void fact-finding mission, a mission that we do not recognize or will ever recognize. The use of erratic methodology with sources of unverified information without any basis, invalid, and this only discredits the UN and undermines institution of human rights, violating the Charter of the UN itself, calling into question the sovereign decisions of states and their public authorities when it comes to management of their legislative or judicial functions. The punitive perspective of these kinds of reports deny genuine dialogue and cooperation, fueling selectivity and the politicization in the Human Rights Council. Venezuela will continue to cooperate objectively and transparently with all UN mandates, provided this respect to the sovereignty and self-determination of our people and ground their actions in the principles contained in the UN Charter. Thank you very much, President.

The distinguished representative of Togo.

President, our delegation would like to thank the Secretary-General of the UN on its report on cooperation between the UN. and human rights. We pay tribute to the work done by the UN and its mechanisms in line with their respective mandates to support the efforts of states in promoting and protecting human rights, a key element for social cohesion, peace, and development. Togo would like to restate its attachment to everyone enjoying their rights, including those who cooperate with the United Nations and their mechanisms in this area. Given this, my country has stepped up action and resources to the National Commission for Human Rights via Organic Law 2018-006-2619 of the 20th of June, 2018. Article 52 talks about criminal sanctions if there are violations of rights of those people working with the commission. Togo is in favor of approaching human rights everywhere in the world and call everyone to ensure that they take the path of dialogue in this area to benefit all.

Thank you, the distinguished representative of Sudan.

Thank you, Mr. President.

We have taken due note of the report of the Secretary-General and the remarks and recommendations contained therein. We highly value the efforts undertaken. The Sudan recommits to protecting all personnel of the United Nations, United Nations mechanisms, and those cooperating with the United Nations. We are ready to receive any complaints in this respect and address them. We are surprised that the report made some references to some intimidation and harassment against cooperators with United Nations mechanisms, despite the fact that the National Commission for Human Rights and other mechanisms have never used, have never received any complaint of these allegations. especially that the Sudan hosts a country OHCHR office since 2019, and other United Nations organizations and specialized agencies whose personnel are fully respected and protected. We are surprised that a number of countries have been mentioned, while the names of the alleged victims have been covered. These alleged cases need to be remunerated if they are established to be victims. Constructive cooperation has not been established in these cases. Thank you, Mr. President.

Thank you. I think now we have to move on to the non-governmental organizations. That was the last speaker. I give the floor to Global Alliance.

Mr. President, Madam Assistant Secretary General, the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions thanks the Secretary General for his comprehensive report. We are alarmed by the increasingly deteriorating environment for and continued reports of intimidation and enterprises against those engaging with the United Nations in the field of human rights. as documented in the Secretary-General 's report. We call on all states and non-state actors to ensure a safe and enabling space for civil society and human rights defense, including national human rights institutions, to operate.

The acts of.

Intimidation of reprisals are unacceptable and undermine the credibility and effectiveness of the United Nations as a whole. We reiterate the call in the Pact for the Future for inclusive and networked multilateralism to strengthen the UN's capacity to respond to global challenges. As we mark the 80th anniversary of the United Nations, we call for the meaningful and safe participation of civil society, defenders, and NGOs to be placed at the heart of any UN reform proposals. Earlier this year, GANRI, together with the regional NHRI networks, conducted a study on the role of NHRIs in protecting civic space and human rights defenders in line with the 2018 Marrakesh Declaration. So we will present the outcomes tomorrow at the 60 events.

Thank you. I'll give the floor to International Federation of Human Rights.

Thank you, President. My name is Nassar Duto. I am president of the Collective of Families of Disappeared Persons in Algeria. Last June, in the last Council session, I was part of a delegation of activists supported by the Alliance Feministe Francophone, a collective in our country. On the 30th of July, 2025, when I came back to Algiers Airport, I was detained several hours by the police. I'm Algerian. I'm a mother of a disappeared person. My son was disappeared in 1997. I devote my life to try to get truth for the thousands of families so hard hit by enforced disappearances in Algeria. This refoulement violated the Algerian constitution, international Algerian obligations, particularly Article 12 of the ICCPR. It is an attempt to silence those who want dignity, truth, and justice. It's vital. I mean, being elected to council means that members have an added duty to respect their obligations and human rights, to refrain from reprisals, to ensure that all human rights defenders can carry out their activities, legitimate activities for human rights. Cooperation with the UN means that you have to protect and not criminalize, and we need to publicly condemn this, quoting individual cases. Thank you.

Thank you. The floor to the International Service for Human Rights. I stand, Secretary General.

Thank you for your report. State and non-state actors continue to intimidate, threaten, and attack defenders engaging with the UN with overwhelming impunity. We are disturbed by the high number of countries cited, 32, of whom 10 Council members and five candidates. We are concerned by the increasing transnational repression. We invite the Council and its mechanisms to further develop international standards on DNR, including targeting individuals through intimidation or reprisals against their relatives in country. We deplore the imposition of travel bans as reprisals against defenders. These measures intended to isolate, intimidate, and silence them. By speaking out on individual cases of reprisals, states can demonstrate solidarity and contribute to accountability. Through our campaign to end reprisals, we urge states to raise cases and call for the immediate lifting of travel restrictions against Lujain al-Hathloul in Saudi Arabia, Mohamed ElBarakery in Egypt, Anexa Alfred Cunningham from Nicaragua, and Qadar Abdi Ibrahim in Djibouti. We regret that the cases of Mohamed, Qadar, and Anexa were not cited in the report and that cases of intimidatory acts were not included, with intimidation frequently deterring any form of cooperation Accountability for reprisals is essential to provide justice to victims and prevent further acts. To address impunity, we urge the Secretary-General to include unresolved cases in the follow-up section. We also urge the inclusion of cases of reprisals and sanction against UN mandate holders. Failing to follow up on cases and disregarding reprisals faced by UN experts for carrying out mandates entrusted to them by this Council undermines the effectiveness and credibility of the system and this mandate itself.

Thank you.

Thank you. Civicus.

Mr. President, civil society accounts are reported to the Secretary General on cooperation with the UN. In a context of closing space for civil society in all world regions, activists, human rights defenders, civil society organizations, and ordinary citizens engaging with the UN processes continue to face serious threats and reprisals, both by states and non-state actors. Alongside grave human rights violations, reprisals often include targeted restrictions to the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, online and offline surveillance, smear campaigns, travel bans, and visa denials, as well as other mobility restrictions intended to hinder or prevent cooperation with the UN and other international regional bodies. All acts of reprisals should be considered as severe signs of civic space deterioration in which the Council should promptly act. There is also an urgent need to further address monitoring and reporting responsibilities in relation to allegations of acts of intimidation, harassment, or reprisal, and to establish a dedicated system wide mechanism to address violations at a global level. We urge states to take all steps necessary to prevent all forms of reprisals, including arbitrary detentions against civil society actors carried out by states and actors under their effective control outside their own jurisdiction, to investigate any such alleged act, and to ensure access to justice and accountability. Safeguarding civil society engagement within the Council and across the UN also requires a zero-tolerance policy on reprisals. And preventative and corrective measures should be established for states that are consistently appear in the Secretary General's report, particularly Council members and states seeking election to the Council. We thank you.

Thank you. Not speed read your interventions. It will not help to, uh, bring your message across because it makes it very difficult for the interpreters to translate, to interpret in the quality that we all require. I give the floor to Beijing NGO Association for International Exchanges.

Ladies and gentlemen, imagine a world in which those who incite violence, instability, and hatred are hailed as heroes. Imagine a world in which those who fight against such tyranny are being persecuted. These scenarios aren't fantasy, but the menacing reality inflicted by relentless forces of foreign interference that we once saw in Hong Kong. To smear Hong Kong's democracy and rule of law, the U.S. has been imposing unilateral sanctions on our officials, judges, and prosecutors for performing their duties in accordance with the law. To curb economic development in Xinjiang of China, the U.S. fabricated myths on forced labor to generate excuses for sanctions at the cost of eroding ethnic minorities of their right to access employment opportunities. This pattern of intimidation ravages on. In Cuba, the U.S. has unilaterally imposed sanctions for 60-plus years, triggering an economic and humanitarian crisis. And again, the U.S. imposed heavy fines on pharmaceuticals exporting medicine to Iran, essentially denying the Iranian people the fundamental right to life and basic health care. These sanctions have nothing to do with advancing humanitarian interests. Councils such as this exist to serve the interests of the world, not that of a few Western nations to give their on-demand moral compass credibility so they can devise a way to better the development of others. I urge that we all recognize the urgent need to scrutinize the United States' illegal measures to the detriment of global humanitarian interests. Thank you.

Thank you. I'll give the floor to International Youth and Student Movement for the United Nations.

We welcome the report of the Secretary-General on reprisals. However, we also have to express a serious concern It is imbalanced. It does not mention the increasing practice of refusal of visas by the U.S., politically motivated, preventing NGOs with consultative status attending meetings at the United Nations in New York. We'd like to recall that even visa request letters from OHCHR to the U.S. inviting persons to activities of OHCHR in New York have been refused. However, there is a US-UN Headquarters Agreement, 1947, is crystal clear. The US has to provide unhindered access to UN headquarters and to grant visas to NGOs promptly without cost. It's a treaty obligation. In addition, the 1996-31 ECOSOC resolution governs the system of NGO participation. All this provides clarity. We'd like to refer to the strict procedure agreed between the UN Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjold and the U.S. to be applied in case of a contested visa case. We'd call on the Secretary-General now, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights to reactivate this procedure to ensure that the headquarters agreement is upheld and ensure the integrity of this agreement between the U.S. and the UN.

Dear Mr. President, the scope of reprisals is chilling, and the MENA region, particularly Gulf states, are overrepresented. We appreciate the follow-up of all cases which are essentially ongoing reprisals. In the United Arab Emirates, Mr. Mohammed al-Mansouri and Mr. Ahmed al-Mansour, who have been detained since 2013 and 2017, respectively, were also highlighted. There are a party of newly convicted 83 of 84 individuals who tried for activities they were already serving sentences in the prison for. In Bahrain, Mr. Abdelhadi Kawaj, and Mr. Abduljalil Al-Sinkis and Mr. Mishal, who each spent over decades in a prison, have been reported on since 2011, each having unmet medical needs. In Saudi Arabia, all four people reported on over many years have been released, and this is a positive development. However, all remain subjected to long-term travel bans, which has resulted in continued separation from family abroad, and they are also forbidden from speaking publicly or making a statement in social media. This continues to have having chilling effect. There are no public voices from civil society from these countries. There are no reprisals to report on because civil society spaces is totally closed. Any critical voices have been immediately silenced, and no one residing in them dare to engage with United Nations. We ask you consider highlighting countries where no member of civil society who resides there has engaging with UN bodies and in the reporting period, and this may indicate such an atmosphere of fear exists.

Thank you.

Thank you. Eastern Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders. President, ASG, we welcome the Secretary General's report. We regret yet again, however, that there is the disappearance of these unresolved cases. Withdrawing these cases from the report simply rewards the perpetrators of inadmissible acts. It sends the wrong message. You have to attack the methodological constraints to avoid a situation where these cases of reprisal simply disappear from public reports. In April 2018, Kader Abdi Ibrahim took part in the pre-session of the UPR, one of the only occasions where one could draw the attention to the human rights situation in Djibouti, and he paid the highest price. For seven years now, he has no passport. This means he is prohibited from traveling. We call on the authorities to give him back his passport. We also condemn reprisals, the repeated reprisals from Algeria, Cameroon, DRC, Egypt, and Sudan. And we take this opportunity to denounce the systematic restrictions of civil society in the UN. It's not the NGOs that pose security problems, but the states that

Asian Forum for Human Rights, you have the floor.

President, the report once again paints a grim picture of the high price defenders pay to bring violations and abuses across Asia to the attention of the UN. In India, Kashmiri defender Khurram Parvez remains in detention on terrorism charges stemming from his cooperation with the UN, while indigenous lawyer Ibo Mili faces surveillance and judicial harassment. Pakistani authorities have subjected Baloch defenders such as Sami Din Baloch, Maharang Baloch, and members of Baloch Yaktaji Committee to arrests, detention, and travel restrictions to prevent their engagement with the UN. Indonesian authorities have repeatedly targeted Papuan defenders. In Sri Lanka, authorities intimidated defenders before and after the High Commissioner's recent visit, chilling victims and survivors still awaiting justice 16 years after the war. In Thailand, authorities have repeatedly prevented Pimsiri Petchnumrob from attending this Council. She faces 10... criminal charges for publicly citing a UN Special Rapporteur's analysis of the very same lese-majeste law under which she's now charged. Similarly, authorities in Afghanistan, China, Vietnam, and Myanmar, among many others, have engaged in reprisals to silence and punish defenders who engage with the UN. Finally, we condemn reprisals and targeted attacks against Palestinian organizations and defenders worldwide working to uphold international law and seek accountability in the face of Israel's ongoing genocide. stand in solidarity with these organizations and defenders.

Thank you.

Thank you. Agathe Froger, Human Rights International.

Thank you, Mr. President, and we thank the Secretary-General for his report. Reprisals for cooperation with the United Nations, both those shared in the report and those not, affect those who most need access to this institution and reflect broader attacks on multilateralism. The United States' plan to withdraw from the Universal Periodic Review process amid a concerning human rights climate in the US, sends a signal to other states which can undermine the UPR process. The UPR remains a key mechanism for human rights review at the UN, and the US plan to withdraw may embolden authoritarian regimes to evade review. Moreover, the denial of visas to the Palestinian delegation for the United Nations General Assembly is a violation of the Headquarters Agreement. Coupled with sweeping threats against civil society, these actions erode the ability of human rights defenders to cooperate with the UN and its human rights mechanisms, unless they are willing to compromise their safety in the myriad ways detailed in the present report. We call on the US to protect the right to freedom of expression, and we call for all states to support multilateralism, including the UN and the UPR process.

Thank you.

Human Rights House Foundation. Thank you, President. We thank the Assistant Secretary-General for her work. We wish to highlight two emblematic cases of reprisals. First, in Azerbaijan, human rights defender Anamur Madli remains behind bars. He was arrested on 29th of April 2024 following his engagement with international partners, including in the context of COP29 and his organization's monitoring of Azerbaijan's electoral environment. He had only just spoken at a side event here at the 55th session of the Human Rights Council.

A few weeks before his arrest.

His detention has been condemned by UN experts as politically motivated.

His case illustrates the risks faced by Azerbaijani civil society when they engage with the UN. We reiterate our call for his immediate and unconditional release.

Turning to the Russian Federation, in July last year, our organization was designated an undesirable organization under Russian law. The designation makes cooperation with Human Rights House Foundation a criminal offense for Russians. This is plainly a reprisal for our UN-focused advocacy. In recent months, the Russian authorities have accelerated their use of this tool and other forms of restrictive legislation. These actions form part of a broader pattern of reprisals designed to isolate Russian civil society from the United Nations and the international community. President, we ask the Assistant Secretary-General what can the Human Rights Council do better to ensure that it is a safe for civil society representatives from Azerbaijan and Russia to fully engage in the work of the United Nations.

Thank you.

Thank you. That was the last speaker on our list. I'd now like to hand back to the ISG for her concluding comments. You have five minutes.

Thank you, Mr. President, and thank you for this very engaged contribution so many member states and also of course our civil society representatives. In the end, I think it shows that we need a lot more time and engagement. I certainly welcome the calls for dialogue that we also very much support. So I'll try to cluster very quickly since we have five minutes only left. Initially starting maybe with the questions concerning the methodology that we use, because there were some concerns expressed on it. We have worked very hard and we have a methodology that is making sure that we have reliable and objective information, the collective and analysis. The collection of the allegations and information around them comes from across the UN system in a call that we have each year in March, but we can take information throughout the year. Certainly, it comes also from special mandate holders. It comes specifically also from those presences in the field that the UN has, so across the UN system, also the human rights components, but also from others, and also from civil society and other sources. We use both primary and secondary sources. The main point is that we do very solid verification of the allegations that we get and corroboration, including with secondary trusted sources that we have and sources of information. Not all cases actually remember that in the report, these are all allegations. Not all allegations actually make it into the report because if we have hesitations and we haven't been able to verify ourselves or if we don't have the consent of the persons concerned, we cannot include them. Even the cases that are anonymous, we actually require consent even to be reported anonymously. There were some that were concerned even in that but not be included. There is a difference between the annex one and next two. I don't have time to go into that, but just to say those who raised the continuation continued attention to cases in annex 2 gives the opportunity in the dialogue with Member States when we send the not that bad when we have the cases. This is an opportunity to get responses from Member States. Those that are received are summarized in the report. We would welcome to have more of them and also more opportunities for dialogue in how actually addressing the cases. And then eventually those that come in annex 2 are really cases where there is new information concerning previously reported cases, which is why sometimes even those that are still ongoing do not appear in the report, but can certainly reappear later on. I think also there is, in terms of the geography that was mentioned, actually, that the cases that are included, it depends on the information we get, but the cases are certainly across all of the regions, as was mentioned. And of the 32 member states included in this year's report, we do have Asia Pacific and MENA regions representing about two-thirds of the countries in the report. There are 11 in each region. They're followed by Europe, Central Asia with three, Africa with three, and Americas with six, six member states mentioned. So they certainly are a cross region and are not selective. Then I wanted to very briefly, I know we're not, I have one minute more or less left. I wanted the transnational repression that has been highlighted by so many and we did highlight in the report is a very complex issue we continue, we'll continue to work on. We have 11 cases in intimidation and reprisals concerning six member states in this year's report. The details are in the report. We need to address it by strengthen the awareness and the capacity, including of this Council, but also including national authorities to be able to develop, to address these cases, including for law enforcement, for instance, to be aware, to be able to respond to them. The documentation, the analysis, we need to continue to focus on and really have a holistic protection of them, of those at risk, including in investigations where they are needed as well for accountability and broad protection. Finally, my very last seconds, but a very important issue that was raised by many is really how we ensure a better protection of human rights defenders and others that bring human rights information to the system and also the system itself. I think the public recognition of the importance of the work of human rights on those working on human rights is absolutely essential. So there's value put to it and therefore also value in the protection itself. We have to have investigations, we have to have, where warranted, when information comes there, Member States are encouraged to respond to these allegations by looking into them seriously and we're warranted to initiate investigations. There needs to be protection measures put in place, the access to justice, protection measures of course also is something that needs to be worked on more broadly for many Member States, also supporting the system as And there I would just raise.

Also the case of...

I'm sorry, ASG, we have to... I really apologize, we are under time pressure. Geneva is about efficiency, sorry about that. Thank you so much.

This brings us to the end of this interactive dialogue. I thank the... Assistant Secretary General for Human Rights for her participation. Excellencies, colleagues, I want to take this opportunity to remind you that the active participation of civil society and of the national human rights institutions is crucial to the work of the Council. It's also essential to ensure that the experts and mechanisms that the Council mandates can discharge their functions in full independence without fear of reprisals or intimidation. Any attempt at intimidation against diplomats within or out with this room is, of course, also unacceptable. As President, I remain firmly committed to ensure that any, all allegations along those lines should receive appropriate attention and follow-up, and I urge each and every one of you to contribute to the prevention of such acts.

I have been approached by the sponsors of the draft resolution entitled Advisory Services and Technical Assistance for Cambodia under item 10, with a view to extending the deadline of submission until Friday, 26 September at 1:00 p.m. Explanations have been provided, and with your approval, an extension of the tabling deadline for this draft resolution will be granted until Friday, 26 September at 1:00 p.m. I take it that this is agreeable to all of you. Thank you.

Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, we'll reconvene tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. to open the interactive dialogue with the Advisory Committee. and begin the general debate on item 5 of the agenda. The interpreters informed us that the interference that we had on the English on the channel, it was due to a technical problem with the videos. And with that, I want to adjourn the 26th meeting of the 60th session of the Human Rights Council. Thank you.