10th Meeting - 60th Session of Human Rights Council Human Rights Council Date: 15 September 2025 Language: English Transcript: https://transcripts.un.org/zh/hrc/60/10?lang=en Transcripts available through this tool are created by using automatic speech recognition and are not official records nor official documents of the United Nations. Official records and official documents are available on the Official Document System of the United Nations. --- HRC · Vice-President [0:01]: Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, I call to order the 10th meeting of the 60th session of the Human Rights Council. Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, we shall now continue the interactive dialogue with independent experts on the international order, continuing with the list of national human rights institutions and NGOs. And with that, I will give the floor to the Organization for Defending Victims of Violence in the room. Organization for Defending Victims of Violence [0:35]: Mr. Vice President, we welcome the independent expert's latest report on the factors that continue to reinforce the global north-south gap. The report reminds us that these inequalities are not inevitable. They result from deliberate policies and systemic imbalances sustained by the dominance of powerful states. These stresses are further aggravated by renewed unilateralism. In recent months, the United States has sanctioned Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur on OPT, for performing her mandate, targeted ICC officials and Palestinian NGOs for cooperating with the court, and carried out direct military action in the Iran-Israel war while supporting Israeli atrocities. Such practices undermine independent UN mandates, weaken accountability for international crimes, and sustains the impunity of the violators. By contrast, tools aiming at enhancement of multilateralism, such as the UN's Pact for the Future, reaffirms peaceful solutions. We urge UN member states to support the mandate of the Sr. and OPT to uphold the authority of the ICC against reprisals and to implement the Pact for the Future to reinforce multilateralism, safeguard sovereign equality, and preserve the integrity of the international legal order. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:52]: Thank you. I give the floor to Indian Council of South America for a joint statement. Indian Council of South America [1:58]: Thank you, Mr. Chair. We call upon the Human Rights Council to facilitate the dialogue, not only with the United States of America, since the General Assembly is in New York, and with Switzerland as host of UN bodies, including the Human Rights Council, to recognize indigenous diplomats. Francoise Hampson declared Alaska and Hawaii as the two strongest indigenous cases in the world, so strong that we have the right to sit as observers like Palestine. The former independent expert, Alfred Desais, recommended an advisory opinion if necessary, and also recommended Alaska and Hawaii be sent to the United Nations Decolonization Committee for review. We would ask you to. Please see the Joint OHCHR and Inter-American Commission on Human Rights for the several deadly threats that we receive for promoting these, and we will send this under your mandate to stop such threats happening to some of us Indigenous peoples. General Assembly resolution 1469 of 12th of December 1959 is an act of hegemony. We expressly are very appreciative to the expert George Katrouglos for his report on the hegemony of states, and we ask that you lift your hegemony in order that we're able to participate equally. I thank you, Mr. Chair. HRC · Vice-President [3:30]: Thank you. I give the floor to Sikh Human Rights Group. Sikh Human Rights Group [3:34]: Thank you. The analysis of the independent expert on international order in report. 6031 succinctly captures reality in the current world as generally understood. However, at Sikkim Rights Group, we wonder whether. Pax America is really disappearing into history or whether the phase of Pax America driven by European liberal hegemony. Is coming to an end and a new Pax America is rising in its ashes, leaving Europe on the sidelines. If our analysis is right, we don't think the world. Will be neatly divided into North-South, but new concentric divisions that may. Offer hope for a better economic equilibrium than currently exist or even predicted. We agree that it may not be along Huntington's civilization fault lines. What new configurations emerge is in the realm of predictions yet. International institutions may not have the framework to deal with the emerging order, nor have a pluralist approach that could best benefit the changing order and the new Pax America. Moreover, how far will be the influence of a new Pax America remains unknown. But it appears that under the Trump presidency, the United States is redefining its role and power in the world, that tariffs. Clearly point to that. We hope that the UN will be able to navigate the complex world of unfolding and assist in a better political and economic future. The UN may need to be ready to shift from universalism to pluralism. HRC · Vice-President [5:00]: Thank you. Thank you. Excellences, distinguished colleagues. Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, that was the last statement that we were able to accommodate. I will now give the floor to Mr. George Katrougialis for his concluding statements to be made by video because he was not able to be here with us this afternoon. UN · Independent Expert [5:28]: Mr. President, I thank states, regional groups, and the NGOs for their interventions, though I would have welcomed stronger engagement from the global north. I regret that I'm joining this interactive dialogue remotely. I believe that while adaptation to circumstances is sometimes necessary, we must not accept in the future such arrangements as the new normal. Distinguished delegates, many of you have rightly underlined the dangers of impunity, the lack of accountability, and the selective application of international law. I fully agree. These practices weaken the credibility of the United Nations system, including its human rights pillar, and pose an existential threat to the international legal order. When similar acts are treated as necessary dirty jobs, or are shielded by the protection of permanent members of the Security Council, They normalize systemic violations that corrode the very foundations of international order. The most recent example is, of course, the unprovoked Israeli attack on Qatar, in clear disregard of UN conventions, norms, and established diplomatic practice. This attack clearly undermines the effort to mediate a peaceful end to the conflict ensure the access of humanitarian relief into Gaza, and secure the release of hostages. I also join my voice to the broader calls of the Global South for justice. The recent withdrawal of the United States from United Nations negotiations on financing the Sustainable Development Goals and its refusal to support enhanced lending by development banks have only deepened an already dire situation. But let me just repeat, as I have stated in all my reports, the interests of the vast majority of the peoples in the developed countries in the North are parallel, not opposed, to those of the Global South. As the United Nations Development Programme has observed, there is also a South within the North, the 90% of the population which is not profiting from the globalization. I am also grateful for the remarks, comments and criticism offered by NGOs in this dialogue. One NGO has argued that I overlooked the situation of millions living under unilateral coercive sanctions. This I'm understanding. While the issue was not central to my current report, I remain fairly opposed to any unilateral sanctions imposed without a decision of the Security Council. For all the reasons I mentioned in my report, It is imperative that we safeguard and democratize the United Nations system, especially in institutions of global governance. This is not a matter of choice, but a matter of necessity. We must ensure the faithful implementation of the decisions of the International Court of Justice and the resolutions of the General Assembly. And we must advance the agenda of the Pact for the Future. to renew multilateralism, to guarantee sovereign equality, and to preserve the integrity of the international legal order. I have therefore put forward recommendations in my report aimed at strengthening multilateralism, ensuring fairer economic governance, and embedding redistribution and sustainability into policy frameworks. Some of these proposals include the democratization of the international financial institutions, IMF and World Bank, democratization of the trade rule-making, and especially the phasing out of subsidies that disadvantage developing economies. I have proposed the establishment of a multilateral sovereign debt resolution mechanism and the linkage of debt restructuring with climate and development goals. The creation of a global climate justice fund, financed through progressive measures, to support adaptation and loss and damage initiatives in VULNERABLE countries. Bridging the digital divide through infrastructure investment, affordability measures, and equitable technology transfer, it is a precondition for bridging the wider divide between North and South. To conclude, the United Nations must be defended, but also revitalized and further be democratized by enforcing the national law, protecting sovereign equality and promoting true multilateralism, we can resist those who would undermine justice and peace. Many thanks. HRC · Vice-President [11:28]: Thank you, Excellencies, Distinguished Colleagues. Excellencies, Distinguished Colleagues, this brings us to the end of this interactive dialogue. I thank the independent expert for his participation. Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, we shall now begin the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights. The list of speakers will close in 15 minutes. I now give the floor to Ms. Alena Duhon, special rapporteur, to present her report. You have the floor, madam. UN · Special Rapporteur [12:13]: Thank you very much, Mr. Vice-President. Honorable Chair, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, it's a privilege to be here today for the interactive dialogue with you on issues relating to my mandate as a Special Rapporteur on the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of human rights. Today, we are all the more observing the growing use of unilateral sanctions on different forms, means of the enforcement by states, and overcompliance by private and other actors. The FOI would like to start today with expressing my solidarity with my colleague, Ms. Francesca Albanese, who has recently been subjected to unilateral sanctions by the United States. I would like to remind that special rapporteurs are experts whose status and immunities shall be protected by all states. Mr. Vice President, Excellencies, Unilateral sanctions are applied and enforced today despite the multiple reports on their negative humanitarian impact, including on the enjoyment of all economic, labour and social rights. Cumulative effects of primary and secondary sanctions and extensive overcompliance produced wider implications for the economy of and economic rights in targeted countries, third states and even sanctioning states themselves. affecting indiscriminately the freedom from poverty, right to health, right to education, right to water and sanitation, decent standard of living, right to food, other economic and social rights. To collect information on the topic, I issued a call for submissions, and I would like to thank all state and other stakeholders for their contributions. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, unilateral sanctions take many forms and are aimed against states, regions, specific sectors of economy, companies and individuals. Since such measures are designed to directly affect the economies of targeted states, they produce a direct and indirect negative impact on the enjoyment of all economic, labor and social rights with spillover effect for third state sanctioning states and world population, hampering states' ability to ensure economic, labour and social rights. Complex effect of unilateral sanctions, means of the enforcement and overcompliance, our overall economic, labour and social rights is very serious, especially in respect to the most vulnerable groups, such as elderly, children, women, homeless people, refugees and many other. In particular, they have tremendous effect on the enjoyment of all aspects of the right to work. Sanctions often result not only in the higher unemployment rates, but also wage reductions, deterioration of working conditions, and a shift towards informal employment in place in labor rights and standards, negative impact on entrepreneurship. Unilateral sanctions meaningfully affect the right to development and the achievement of all SDGs. Additionally, unilateral sanctions have extensive adverse implications on economic, labor, and social rights in third states, especially countries of the global south depending on assistance, trade, or supplies from the states under sanctions or neighboring countries. Such impact affects the labor markets, the rights of local workers due to the migrations, contact losses, and companies closure. Availability and quality of some social and development progress, access to food, gas and fertilizers, the right to food and facilitates migration. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, naturally, unilateral sanctions and over compliance are not the only factors affecting human rights and humanitarian situation in the country. Under Article 2 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, all states, including states under sanctions, be a primary responsibility to ensure within their territory or jurisdiction, all economic, labor and social rights within maximum resources available. However, unilateral sanctions reduce these resources substantially. Such states are under obligation to take all possible measures within resources available to promote and protect such rights, to mitigate negative impact of unilateral sanctions on human rights, and to assist people under their jurisdictional control in promotion and protection of human rights affected by unilateral sanctions. At the same time, states adopting, enforcing, or implementing unilateral sanctions which undermine the ability of states under sanctions to implement progressively Economic, labor, and social rights are responsible for violation of such rights or retrogression in the implementation in targeted societies due to the reduction of national capacity due to imposition or enforcement of unilateral sanctions by their organs and officials. They are also responsible for violation of an obligation of due diligence and consequent violation of human rights affected by over compliance by private actors under their jurisdiction and control in accordance with approach taken by the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in its multiple general comments. excellencies, distinguished delegates. There are a long list of other elements which can be discussed as relevance to the impact of unilateral sanctions, means of the enforcement and our compliance on economic, social and labor rights. However, due to the limited time, I will focus on some of my recommendations. Sanctioning states and regional organizations shall review measures taken without or beyond the authorization of the Security Council and lift those which do not meet the criteria of retortions and countermeasures in full conformity with the standards and limitations of the law of international responsibility as constituting unilateral coercive measures. They shall ensure that implementation of humanitarian resolutions of the UN Security Council aimed to meet basic needs of the people is not impeded by any unilateral measure, including any impediments to transfer money, to deliver or to ensure humanitarian cargo, and many other. Sanctioning, enforcement, and implementing states shall take all possible legislative, institutional, and administrative measures to avoid and minimize overcompliance and to ensure that activities of private businesses under their jurisdiction and control do not violate the right to property, to work, to social security, to food, housing, health, education, and other human rights extraterritorially, as reflected in the Guiding Principles on Sanctions, Business, and Human Rights. They shall ensure that unilateral sanctions are not affecting the functioning of critical infrastructure relevant to healthcare, food, agriculture, electricity, water supply, irrigation, sanitation, gas, and fertilizers, all of which are necessary for the survival and wellbeing of population. I invite States affected by unilateral sanctions to take all steps within maximum of available resources to mitigate negative impact of unilateral sanctions and to use means of diplomatic protection and to report on all types of challenges arising from unilateral sanctions and over compliance on economic, labor, and social rights in the engagement with all relevant UN entities and specialized agencies within universal periodic review, UN human rights treaty bodies within the scope of their mandates. I call upon the UN agencies and organs to monitor within the mandates the impact of unilateral sanctions and overcompliance on the ability of states under sanctions to fulfill their international obligations under the relevant human rights conventions on the right to adequate food, to adequate housing, to education, health, social security, to water and sanitation. I invite International Labour Organization to take the lead in monitoring the unhindered exercise of the right to work, right to decent work, labor rights and social security in the face of unilateral sanctions, means of their enforcement and overcompliance. to monitor, in line with its mandate, the impact of unilateral sanctions on the ability of states under sanctions to fulfill their obligations under ILO conventions, recommendations, and strategies on decent work, green jobs, social protection, and occupational safety, health, and access policies of sanctioning states and instances of overcompliance by businesses and the financial sector. I thank you for your attention. HRC · Vice-President [20:36]: Thank you. J'invite à présent. Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, I will now call on delegations to make comments and ask questions on the report. And I First of all, I give the floor to Mr. Nasser Seraji, Excellency, Secretary of the High Council of Human Rights of the Islamic Republic of Iran. You have the floor. Iran (Islamic Republic of) · Secretary of the High Council of Human Rights [21:12]: Thank you, Mr. President. The Islamic Republic of Iran extends appreciation to the rapporteur for their dedicated work and commitment. Unlawful coercive measures are inherently inhumane. They are not only illegitimate because of their hostile coercive nature, but also unlawful under international law. Such measures serve as preludes to war and the use of force. If they succeed in crippling a nation, the most severe sanctions are imposed. If they fail, the aggressors resort to open aggression and military intervention. Sanctions, at their core, constitute instruments of collective punishment that silently claim lives, fracture societies, and erode fundamental rights to health, food, and dignity. They deny entire populations access to medicine, vaccines, and life-saving medical equipment, while crippling public health systems and stifling economic development. In reality, what an armed conflict destroys within days, sanctions accomplish through years of slow, relentless, and silent devastation. All of these crimes stem from what is promoted as a rules-based international order, an order that replaces universal principles. Thank you, Vice President. EU [22:49]: Refraining from adopting and implementing illegal unilateral measures, we reject the fundamental misconception that all of them are contrary to international law and negatively impact the enjoyment of human rights. EU sanctions are a response to serious violations of international law and are not an end in themselves. When diplomatic efforts alone have failed, sanctions are a measure of last resort. They are decided on a case-by-case basis, based on specific criteria and legally robust evidence, and are regularly reviewed. Designated persons and entities may challenge their listing before the Court of Justice of the EU. UN sanctions always come first, but when the Security Council is unable or unwilling to act due to the veto of a permanent member, the EU takes responsibility to uphold the UN Charter. Madame Special Rapporteur, let us be clear. It's not EU sanctions that create impediment for the enjoyment of economic, labor, and social rights or sustainable development. It's the wrongful conduct which the sanctions intend to address. In that respect, EU sanctions, which are implemented in full compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law, never target the civilian population. The EU is committed to avoiding unmitigated, unintended humanitarian impacts and overcompliance. Humanitarian carve-outs allow relevant actors to engage in transactions with listed individuals and entities. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [24:15]: Thank you. I give the floor to Ghana on behalf of African Group. Ghana · African Group [24:20]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the African Group. The imposition of unilateral coercive measures is contrary to the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, the promotion and protection of human rights, and the spirit of international cooperation. These measures have never been about human rights. While often claimed to target specific individuals or entities, in reality, they obstruct the full enjoyment of human rights and have far-reaching and devastating impacts on the wider population, particularly the poor and most vulnerable. Mr. Vice President, Africa's development benefits from multilateralism and international cooperation. UCMs undermine the global trading system and restrict access to markets, financing, and investment opportunities. The widespread resort to zero-risk approaches and over-compliance policies by banks and private sector actors further disrupts access to goods and services that are essential for any economy to function. Moreover, the extraterritorial application of UCM to third countries undermines international solidarity, regional integration, and trade and investment cooperation. These measures disproportionately harm women and children who are most affected by economic instability, inflation, and reduced access to essential services, including healthcare and education. The African Group categorically rejects the use of unilateral coercive measures and call upon all states to demonstrate solidarity and strengthen cooperation to ensure that no country and no people are left behind in our collective pursuit of sustainable development. In conclusion, the African Group reaffirms its commitment... HRC · Vice-President [25:54]: Thank you. I give the floor to Venezuela. on behalf of a group of countries. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) · group of friends defending the UN Charter [26:03]: Thank you very much, President. Venezuela has the honor of taking the floor on behalf of a group of friends defending the UN Charter. ECMs, including those applied as instruments of political, economic, or financial coercion against any country, are illegal. They represent a blatant violation of the principles enshrined in the UN Charter and the basic standards of international law. In addition to establishing and broadening conditions of poverty and inequality, UCMs are crimes against humanity and massive violations of human rights, seeking to deprive entire populations of their own means of subsistence. Those affected nations see a negative impact on the full enjoyment of human rights in their territories, including the right to development, financial and technical assistance, technology transfer and capacity building, as well as the right of all to an appropriate level or standard of living, including provision of health, food, education and basic social services. The group of friends emphasises that On 4 December was declared by the UNGA as an International Day against UCMs. This would be an appropriate opportunity to denounce the illegality of UCMs, to disseminate its negative impact concerning the economy and human rights of millions of peoples, as well as continuing to call for the elimination of all of them. The Group of Friends urges once and for all for States to abstain from promoting this tool and having any aim at a unilateral coercive measure, economic, financial or commercial. Thank you, HRC · Vice-President [27:40]: says the President. Before passing the floor to the next speaker, I'd like to tell you that the list of speakers is now closed. Cuba has the floor, please. Cuba [27:54]: Thank you very much, Vice-President. We're grateful to the Special Rapporteur for the report that was presented, including the sub-conclusions and recommendations. We agree that the nature of UCMs doesn't only impact directly targeted states, they also have profound ramifications for third countries. as well as those countries meeting them out. As was said, any economic, commercial or financial embargo imposed by the United States against Cuba has a disproportionate impact on the national economy and a direct impact on public services such as health and education. Restrictions on trade and financial transactions create significant obstacles to entrepreneurship, the creation of jobs and access to alternative finance. This means that the country has been placed on a list as well of countries supposedly participating and sponsoring terrorism. We also denounce the campaign which is being undertaken by the US government to discredit our international medical cooperation programs offered by Cuba, including restrictions on visas to civil servants to third countries connected with the implementation of that program. Manipulation of human rights to justify the imposition of unilateral coercive measures constitutes a form of discrimination and an interference in the internal affairs of states, as well as a threat to free determination. We'd be grateful if the Special Rapporteur could tell us what actions could be undertaken by the HRC to lobby for and raise visibility around the end of these measures. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [29:35]: Thank you, says the Vice-President. The Russian Federation is recognised. Russian Federation [29:39]: Mr. President, we greatly appreciate the work of Ms. Dolgan. This report has a universal analysis of the issue of the adverse impact of UCMs and ways that they are applied as well as overcompliance in on various aspects of economic, labour and social rights. Despite the fact that UCMs are not in line with the goals and principles of the UN Charter, are not in line with international law and have been condemned by many GA resolutions, the collective western satellite States continue to use those instruments as a lever for political pressure and reprisals against inconvenient countries following their own sovereign way. And these unlawful acts are essentially a collective punishment of the populations of countries affected by UCMs, whose negative impacts are worst felt in the economic, labor and social spheres. In particular, they affect people within vulnerable population groups. We commend the detailed conclusions and recommendations in the report, which seek to break out of the vicious circle of UCMs. In conclusion, we confirm our comprehensive support to the mandate of the Special Rapporteur and wish Ms. Dovchen every success in this important and essential work. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [31:12]: Thank you. I give the floor to Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe [31:18]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. We thank the Special Rapporteur for her comprehensive report on the impact of UCM's secondary sanctions and overcompliance on economic, labor, and social rights. We appreciate her insights on the impact of sanctions on unemployment rates, salaries, and job opportunities. UCM's cause broad economic disruptions as they target all strategic economic sectors. Due to sanctions-induced economic hardships, Zimbabwe experienced brain drain, which has heavily impacted on key sectors and critical services. Loss of foreign direct investment has led to closure of businesses and huge job losses. Not only have sanctions negatively affected the government's ability to provide basic economic and social rights, but also its capacity to adequately finance social protection programs and to develop and maintain infrastructure necessary for the performance and delivery of critical services. Our development agenda and the achievement of SDGs have been severely undermined by the UCMs. We continue to call for lifting of all UCMs and reiterate the need for UN agencies to monitor and report on the impact of UCMs, secondary sanctions and compliance on the enjoyment of human rights in targeted countries. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [32:44]: Thank you very much. And now, Rifkenas Belleris. Belarus [32:51]: Thank you, President. The report on the impact of UCMs on economic, labor, and social rights once again shows a range of human rights that are destroyed by sanctions. We note the convincing arguments, underpinned by facts, regarding the unlawful nature of the sanctions, which involve confiscation of citizens' property, overcompliance by banks and a negative impact on economic indicators, a high level of unemployment, inflation, pay levels, the right to labour and The broad adverse impacts of UPM affect the economies of countries that have sanctions adapted against them, as well as third countries and the initiators. They destroy economic, labour and social rights of huge numbers of people, including the most vulnerable. We share the concern expressed by the special rapporteur regarding the understanding of the documents of certain international organisations as legitimising or justifying UCMs. We commend her professionalism and, once again, express support for recommendations. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [34:02]: Thank you very much. Venezuela, in its national capacity, is called. Thank you. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) [34:10]: Thank you very much, President. We're grateful for the presentation of the report by the Special Rapporteur, Professor Doo-Han, and we reiterate our support for this very valuable mandate. Venezuela has reported the violations by the United States against our country on a number of times. These have had manifestation in UCMs, discrediting campaigns and undermining our legitimate institutions, and they represent an unprecedented threat now, including military interference by the United States in the Caribbean. The measures imposed on Venezuela have had a devastating impact on the economy. They've led to a drastic drop in GDP and the commercial involvement of the country, depriving the state the ability to access key resources for development. To date, 1,042 UCMs have been imposed on us, and despite this, we have been able to develop an efficient policy to fight and combat them and ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by our people. Just when Venezuela was experiencing a year-on-year economic growth, the USA imposed military efforts to destabilize our country and the entire Latin America and Caribbean region. It's clear that the USA is using an interfering policy with two goals, as a form of unconventional war, and secondly, a direct military threat to bring about regime change. We urge this Council to condemn completely the application of UCMs. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [35:44]: Eritrea, we have the floor. Eritrea [35:48]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Eritrea thanks the Special Rapporteur for her thorough report and for developing tools, measures that respond to the humanitarian and human rights impacts of UCMs. Her analysis of cumulative sanctions, secondary measures, and overcompliance provides an essential basis for this Council's work. The report shows these measures do not operate in isolation. Multiple regimes, secondary sanctions, and overcompliance create long-running effects that weaken states' capacity to fulfill economic, labor, and social rights, spilling over to third and even sanctioning states. For Eritrea, this is a lived reality. Banking restrictions, blocked transfers, procurement obstacles, and the effect on trade and investment reduce fiscal space and the state's ability to deliver services. Overcompliance by financial actors, account closures, and high costs further cut citizens off from basics. The report's data on poverty and wages show the concrete cost of these illegal measures. Eritrea's minimum wage levels illustrate the constraints on wage policy under sanctions. We welcome the monitoring and assessment tool and urge support from the High Commissioner, UN agencies, and member states to ensure it is inclusive, transparent, and funded. We urge this Council to act on the recommendations, restore legality, and end the normalization of measures that degrade human dignity. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [37:06]: Thank you. I give the floor to Mozambique by video. Mozambique [37:10]: Thank you, Mr. President. Mozambique thanks the Special Rapporteur for her report. We are deeply concerned by the findings of the report, which reveal how such measures severely restrict the ability of sanctioned states to fulfill economic, labor, and social rights, and create barriers that undermine development and humanitarian efforts. Mozambique is particularly concerned about the disproportionate impact of crises on vulnerable groups, including women, children, persons with disabilities, older persons and refugees, who suffer most when states are unable to deliver essential services and humanitarian assistance. We reaffirm our position that unilateral coercive measures not authorized by the UN Security Council violate international law, threaten state sovereignty, and undermine the enjoyment of human rights. We therefore call on all states to refrain from imposing or enforcing such measures and support efforts aimed at lifting sanctions that inflict harm on innocent populations. To conclude, we reaffirm our support to the Thank you, Mr. President. HRC · Vice-President [38:32]: Thank you. I give the floor to Brazil. Brazil [38:36]: Thank you, Mr. President. Madame Rapporteur, Brazil appreciates your report on the impact of unilateral coercive measures on economic, labor, and social rights. We are deeply concerned that as an adverse effect of unilateral measures, vulnerable groups, including older persons, children, women, homeless people, persons with disabilities, migrants, and refugees, are being deprived of numerous rights, including the rights to food, health, education, work, and adequate housing, among others. Brazil has consistently condemned unilateral coercive measures as they violate international law and have a detrimental impact on the enjoyment of human rights. Today, we are witnessing new forms of unilateral coercive measures, which target human rights, democratic institutions, and the independence of the judiciary, as well as the international order based on international law and the multilateral human rights system. Such measures are not only unlawful, but also inconsistent with international obligations of sanctioning states, as they disregard the principle of sovereignty, non-intervention, and respect for human rights. Madame Rapporteur, in the latter coercive measures, targeting democratic institutions can have long-term consequences for the enjoyment of human rights across an entire country. How do you envisage incorporating this perspective into your work? Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [40:10]: Thank you. I give the floor to the State of Palestine. State of Palestine [40:15]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. We would also like to thank the Special Rapporteur for her report. Sanctions are recognized obligations when a state commits grave breaches of international law. Yet sanctions are too often applied selectively, politicized, and weaponized by certain states, becoming tools of domination rather than justice. Instead of deterring violations, they frequently punish vulnerable populations, silence civil society, and even target UN experts while shielding those responsible for atrocity crimes. Nowhere is this hypocrisy more blatant than in the case of Israel. Since its inception, Israel has pursued the erasure of the Palestinian people. Today, it is committing genocide and ethnic cleansing in plain sight. And yet, instead of sanctioning the perpetrator, we see the opposite. The United States, main sponsor for Israel's genocide in Gaza, imposes sanctions on Palestinian civil society organizations, international court judges, and even on special rapporteurs who expose the truth. This is not simply a distortion of justice, it's complicity in genocide. We call on Member States to fulfill their obligations under international law, the very law so many claim they wish to preserve. If that commitment is genuine, then now is the time to act, to impose sanctions on Israel, to end complicity in genocide, and to demonstrate that this legal system is more than empty rhetoric. Madame Special Rapporteur, we urge you to raise your voice on this double standard and to address States' obligation in this regard. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [41:47]: Thank you. Togo is recognized. Togo [41:52]: Thank you very much, Vice-President. The Togo delegation is grateful to the Special Rapporteur for this report, which highlights the humanitarian consequences of unilateral coercive measures. We are committed to security, peace and development in Togo and concerned by the finding that these measures, beyond their political goals, It's a break on the fundamental rights of civilian populations, as well as sustainable development and growth, as well as undermining particular vulnerabilities. We'd like to express our solidarity with women, children, and those of the third age suffering devastating effects, particularly in the sphere of food, medicine, care, and education. We'd like to reaffirm our commitment to the United Nations Charter and the sovereign equality of states, as well as the principle of avoiding recourse to force and the peaceful settlement of differences. Unilateral coercive measures undermine multilateralism and the international order. They also constitute a major obstacle to the attainment of the SDGs, disturbing supply chains, threatening food security and compromising decades of progress, Togo will continue to promote dialogue, diplomacy and an inclusive approach which places human dignity at its heart. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [43:21]: Thank you very much. Sudan is recognized. Sudan [43:29]: Thank you very much, President. We appreciate the report of the Special Rapporteur on the impact of UCMs and the recommendations, and we support her mandate. These UCMs have had a negative impact on social, economic, and cultural rights in Sudan. They limited the right to education, health, and mobility, and led to more poverty, in addition to blocking foreign investments and remittances. And the war by the a rebel group that is supported regionally, have also exacerbated the situation. Despite of that, we are continuing on with our efforts towards development through social welfare programs and improving infrastructure, health, education, and encouraging the foreign and local investments and limiting the consequences of the war. UCMs are said to be in line with the UN Charter, but this is not true. The Security Council is the only one that is able to issue those UCMs, because what we see is that they are used selectively and do not respect collective rights. And Sudan would like to reaffirm the importance of the recommendations and the findings of the report, and we call upon the international community to take every action to ensure that the impact of the UCMs is limited, and we call for improving international cooperation to the people of Sudan to reach peace and security. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [44:55]: I give the floor to Libya. Libya, you have the floor. Malawi. Malawi [45:21]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Malawi aligns with the statement of the African Group and commends the Special Rapporteur for the comprehensive report. We agree with the Special Rapporteur's observation that multiple sanction regimes, alongside secondary sanctions and overcompliance, produce cumulative effects and wider implications on the economy of and economic rights of the targeted countries, third countries, and even sanctioning states themselves. The impact of targeted unilateral sanctions on economic rights of sanctioned states is enormous and takes the forms of sectoral sanctions which mostly affect sectors of the state's economy, such as the gold mining sector in the case of Zimbabwe. This negatively affects the economy and the social rights in different ways. We reiterate the position of the SADC and the African Union on unilateral coercive measures and call for the lifting of sanctions against Zimbabwe, as the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe continue to have far-reaching effects on the country and the entire SADC region. I thank you, Mr. Vice-President. HRC · Vice-President [46:24]: Thank you. I give the floor to South Africa. South Africa [46:28]: Vice-President, South Africa aligns itself with the African Group. and thanks the Sr. for continued efforts to shed light on the human rights impact of UCMs. We remain deeply concerned by the persistence and proliferation of UCMs, which undermine the principle of international law, multilateralism, and the sovereign equality of states. These measures imposed without the sanction of the UN disproportionately affect the most vulnerable, including women, children, and the elderly, and also erode the economic and social rights of entire populations. and are weaponized to achieve political ends. We call for greater transparency, accountability, and dialogue in addressing the unintended humanitarian consequences of such measures. The right to development must not be held hostage to unilateral agendas. We urge states to engage constructively with the SR's mandate and to lift all measures that contravene the international law and hinder the realization of the SDGs. In solidarity with affected states, South Africa reaffirms its commitment to a rule-based international order, grounded in respect, dignity, and justice. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [47:39]: Thank you. Ethiopia, you have the floor. Ethiopia [47:45]: Thank you, Mr. President. We thank the Special Rapporteur for her comprehensive and timely response. Ethiopia shares the concern expressed regarding the adverse impact of unilateral coercive measure on the enjoyment of human rights. By directly affecting the economies of targeted states, this measure significantly undermine economic, labor, and social rights, with wide-ranging spillover effect on third countries sanctioning state and the global population. UCMs reduce the capacity of sanctioned states to mobilize resources for the realization of basic rights. While states bear the primary responsibility for upholding human rights within their jurisdiction, UCMs severely constrain their ability to do so, fostering conditions for underdevelopment and humanitarian need. UCMs also weaken national institutions, obstruct the delivery of humanitarian assistance, and erode public trust in the multilateral system. They disrupt regional cooperation and undermine the principle of solidarity and sovereign equality that are fundamental to the UN Charter. We therefore urge the humanitarian assistance must never be criminalized or obstructed, emphasize the responsibility of sanctioning state to prevent or compliance by private actors under their jurisdiction, and call for enhanced international cooperation, inclusive dialogue, and reform all the global financial architecture to promote equity, accountability, and respect for human rights. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [49:09]: Thank you. I give the floor to Cambodia. Cambodia [49:16]: My delegation thanks the Special Rapporteur for the report and commend her continued efforts to shed light on the adverse impacts of unilateral coercive measures and to advocate for the rights of those affected, particularly the vulnerable groups. Cambodia understand that the impact of unilateral sanction is enormous. While these measures directly affect the economies of the targeted states, They also have direct and indirect negative impacts on the enjoyment of all economic, labor, and social rights, with spillover effects for third states, sanctioning states, and the world population. We welcome the Special Rapporteur's official launch of a tool in 2024 to monitor and assess the impact of unilateral coercive measures and overcompliance on human rights, as well as on economic and social development of the targeted countries. This is a significant milestone toward more comprehensive understanding of the impact and alleviation of the adverse humanitarian effects. Cambodia also wish to emphasize the importance of dialogue and international cooperation. We ask states to refrain from promulgating and applying any unilateral economic, financial, or trade coercive measures inconsistent with international law and the UN Charter, as this will impede the full achievement of economic and social development in the states concerned. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [50:34]: Thank you very much. Egypt is recognized. Egypt [50:40]: Thank you, Vice President. Egypt welcomes the Sr. and we reiterate our support for her mandate, and we take note of her report, which has presented some of the negative impact of UCMs on the enjoyment of human rights and the impact, both direct and indirect, on the right to work, as well as the negative impact of all human rights in countries subjected to those UCMs. Egypt stresses that any punitive measures or sanctions shall be implemented in full compliance with international law, international human rights law, and the Charter of the United Nations, and we reaffirm our categorical rejection of the use of such measures as a tool for political or economic pressure on states. We emphasize the need to distinguish between UCMs and national decisions that governments resort to for national security considerations, which are consistent with the constitution, with the law, with international agreements, especially if these decisions aid to combat terrorism, crime, and attempts to destabilize national and regional security. We would like for the international community to move, given what we see in terms of the dire practices in the Gaza Strip. Thank you, Vice President. HRC · Vice-President [52:00]: Thank you very much. Malaysia is recognized. Malaysia [52:02]: Malaysia thanks the Secretary General for her report. Malaysia remains concerned with the negative impact of unilateral cohesive measures on economic, labor and social rights. As highlighted in the report, such measures disrupt economies, undermine labor protections and weaken social safety nets. Ordinary people, especially women, children, and vulnerable groups, bear the heaviest burden. As a trading nation, Malaysia views with concern how unilateral measures distort supply chains and restrict access to essential goods, medicines, and technologies. This erodes fair trade and creates long-term inequalities. We also echo the special rapporteur's call to guarantee the delivery of humanitarian assistance to countries under sanctions. Malaysia believes that economic resilience, decent work, and protection are central to inclusive development. Unilateral measures that obstruct these priorities run contrary to the principles of the UN Charter and the right to development. We reiterate that disputes must be resolved through dialogue and multilateral cooperation. Malaysia reaffirms that unilateral coercive measures only deepen poverty, widen inequalities, and hinder the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [53:20]: Thank you very much. I recognise Chad now. Chad [53:25]: Thank you very much, Vice-President. Chad aligns itself with the statement made by the African Group and thanks the Special Rapporteur for her very relevant report in application of Resolution 54/15, highlighting the impacts of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of economic, social, and social rights and labor rights. Chad notes with concern legislation recently adopted in a number of countries to legitimize the confiscation of frozen assets. This legitimization violates international law, in particular standards against the immunity of states and the principle of equality between states. We share the assessment according to which states bear the primary responsibility for upholding economic and social rights and labour rights within the limits of available resources, and as a result responsible for taking measures to prevent or mitigate the effects of UCMs on the humanitarian level. To conclude, Chad supports the mandate of the Special Rapporteur and calls on all to promote dialogue, respect, mutual respect, understanding, tolerance and multilateralism, cornerstones of international relations. Thank you very much, Vice-President. HRC · Vice-President [54:42]: Thank you very much. Armenia is recognised. Armenia [54:46]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Armenia thanks Professor Arlene Dujan for engaging with the Council. Armenia attaches great importance to the promotion of economic, social, and cultural rights, as well as labor. Rights and technologies that there are instances where UCMs may have complex impacts on the enjoyment. Armenia has consistently emphasized the importance of guaranteeing that any measures taken at the international level remain firmly grounded in international law, the Charter of the United Nations, and the principles of multilateralism. The UCMs can disproportionately impact economic, social, and labor rights, with ripple effects extending to third countries. Small and landlocked economies such as ours are especially sensitive to disruptions in trade, financial transactions, and supply chains. These consequences often affect vulnerable groups most severely, including women, children, thereby widening inequalities and undermining sustainable development. In this context, Armenia stresses the importance of safeguarding humanitarian channels and ensuring that measures do not impede access to medicines, food, or medical equipment, and especially maintain all humanitarian exemptions. Equally important is preserving cooperation in areas such as health. Sustainable development and climate action. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [56:10]: Thank you very much. Algeria is recognized. Algeria [56:18]: Thank you very much, Vice-Presidents. We are grateful to the Special Rapporteur for her report, and we share her comments on the subject of the negative impact of unilateral coercive measures on economic and social rights and labour rights, particularly for vulnerable categories, women, children, elder people and refugees. These measures do not come under the aegis of the UN's mandate. They run contrary to the UN Charter and they go against the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of states. They weaken economies and spread poverty, as well as undermine the attainment of the SDGs. We call for all of these measures to be lifted, particularly those creating barriers to goods traffic, to health provisions and education provision, as well as any other measures allowing people to attain a good quality of life. We urge the Special Rapporteur to continue to work on supply chains and on all to continue to work towards a world that is fairer and has greater solidarity. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [57:33]: Iraq is recognized. Iraq [57:36]: Thank you very much, Vice-President. grateful to the Special Rapporteur for her report, which highlights the negative impacts of unilateral coercive measures on the enjoyment of economic and social rights. Vice-President, we have taken due note of the direct and non-direct impacts of unilateral coercive measures, in particular in the sphere of the right to development, labour rights, and impact on social security. These undermine trade, investment, and investment, and they increase inflation and unemployment. They also undermine the rights to health, education, and food security. And they do not only damage targeted states, but also third states, which are not directly affected by the measures, but share the concerns as is the case with our state of the special rapporteur and we urge all to pursue peaceful avenues in line with international law we would like to emphasize the importance of gathering data from official sources to undertake more precise evaluations and reach more objective conclusions thank you HRC · Vice-President [58:56]: thank you very much China is recognized China [59:01]: thank you very much vice president Unilateral coercive measures undermine international cooperation in economics, trade and science and technology and threaten food and energy security. They seriously jeopardise the right to life and development of all peoples. In a report, the Special Rapporteur has denounced the serious impacts of UCMs on economic and social rights and labor rights, and the findings warrant all of our attention. China would appreciate more efforts made by the international community in this sphere, and would like to urge concerned countries to respond to human rights violations which result from these measures. We call for an end to UCMs and accountability thereunder. Our world is suffering from serious turbulence as a result of the challenges to the multilateral system. China would like to work alongside all to defend sovereign equality and the respect for international law, as well as multilateralism. We would like to lobby for a humane approach, guided towards action to build an international system which is more appropriate for the destiny of the humanity as a whole. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:00:27]: Libya is recognized. Libya [1:00:29]: Thank you. Thank you very much, Vice President. We wish a warm welcome to the Special Rapporteur within this Council, and we also share the opinion that these measures have cumulative impacts on the economies of targeted States, as well as on economic and social rights. They undermine the combat against poverty, they undermine access to health and also to a dignified life. UCMs prevent targeted States from ensuring human rights in their countries as well as attaining the SDGs as a result of the economic problems that they create. Vice-President, we would highlight that all unilateral coercive measures of this kind must be compatible with international law. They must not be used as a means to bring pressure to bear. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:01:37]: Thank you very much, Excellencies, colleagues. This was the last speaker on my list. We'd now like to move on to the list of non-governmental organizations and international human rights institutions. I would like to pass the floor to the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission, please. ZHRC [1:01:57]: Thank you, Vice-President. The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission acknowledges the Special Report. It applauds the government of Zimbabwe for taking significant steps to address the challenges posed by unilateral coercive measures. Notably, it has actively engaged the international community to promote a nuanced understanding of the impact of sanctions on the enjoyment of human rights. The ZHRC commends the government's efforts in advocating for the lifting of sanctions because they hinder the country's development and exacerbate the suffering of its citizens. The ZHRC lauds the government for its efforts in raising awareness on the impact of UCMs, particularly with 25 October now being the Southern African Development Community's Anti-Sanctions Day. The ZHRC is concerned with the negative impact of UCMs. UCMs, including the targeted ones, are a blunt instrument. That has a devastating impact on the enjoyment of human rights in Zimbabwe, particularly with respect to the most vulnerable groups, such as the older persons, children, women, the homeless, and persons with disabilities. Sanctions have limited access to essential goods and services, including medicines, food, humanitarian assistance, exacerbated poverty and inequality, undermining the country's ability to achieve the SDGs. The ZHRC therefore recommends the lifting of UCMs targeting Zimbabwean people, the development of an international cooperation strategy to mitigate their adverse effects, especially on vulnerable populations. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:03:30]: Thank you. I give the floor to Association for Protection of Refugees and Internally Displaced Women and Children, by video. Association for Protection of Refugees and Internally Displaced Women and Children [1:03:42]: Madame Special Rapporteur, economic sanctions have wide-ranging humanitarian impact. They restrict access to financial and technical resources under sustainable development and weaken the ability of states to provide essential services such as education, healthcare and social protection. Iran present a clear example of these compound challenges. Sanctions have created fragile economic environment and reduced national resilience, placing heavy burden on our citizens. At the same time, Iran hosts more than 6 million Afghans who, due to insecurity, political instability, and economic collapse in their country, have sought refuge within our borders. While hosting them reflects Iran's humanitarian commitment, it imposes enormous costs, mainly on health and education sectors, where billions of dollars are spent annually to meet refugees need. Limited access to international resources has further strained Iran capacity. Meanwhile, condition in Afghanistan, including restriction on women and girls, absence of infrastructure, and lack of services, make large-scale return unsafe and unsustainable, increasing risk of renewed forced migration. Mr. President, the Association for the Protection of Refugee Women and Children call for urgent review of sanction regime, ensure protective humanitarian exemption and strengthen support for host state as well as for condition that enables safe and dignified return. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:05:15]: So I give the floor to Iranian, Tala Semir Society by video. Iranian Thalassemia Society [1:05:22]: Mr. President, we thank Professor Olena Duhon for her six-year relentless work to document the human cost of sanctions and to bring the voices of victims to this council. We are especially grateful for her country visits, including to Iran, and her engagement with the civil society. We strongly endorse her recommendations, in particular the call for lifting all unlawful unilateral sanctions and guaranteeing safe access to essential goods. One more time, we raise alarm over the impact of sanctions on thalassemia patients in Iran. In 2025, sanctions led to loss of lives for 167 patients and about 14,000 others have been seriously affected by limitation of access to essential medicine, and their lives are in danger. Democorp in Greece, Roche in France, Novartis in Switzerland, and bristol-myers in the US are among the pharmaceutical companies who complied with US sanctions and denied access to medicine for Iranian thalassemia patients. We call for lifting sanctions as political weapons. and ensure accountability for sanctioning states. Citizens who carry the burden of medicine shortages are not collateral damage. They are victims. States imposing such measures are the first violators of human rights. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:06:36]: Thank you. I give the floor to Medical Support Association for Underprivileged Iranian Patients. Medical Support Association for Underprivileged Iranian Patients [1:06:46]: We thank the Special Rapporteur for her relentless efforts to reduce and eliminate the negative impacts of UCMs on human lives. We underline the acute harms highlighted in her latest report. In Iran, shortages of lifesaving medicines endanger cancer patients. In Zimbabwe, infant mortality has risen due to the loss of external health funding. In Cuba, blocked payments prevent the import of essential medicines. And in Syria, persons with disabilities and trauma are left without vital services. Such outcomes are plainly inconsistent with the state's human right obligations. These sanctions have not only persisted for many years, but have also intensified, worsening humanitarian consequences, prolonged shortages of medicine, rising poverty, and the denial of basic services, amounting to clear breaches of international human rights and humanitarian law. Mr. President, we urge the Human Rights Council to call for the termination of unilateral sanctions. We urge the UN mandate holders to monitor the adverse impact of UCMs on human rights within the scope of their mandate, in collaboration with the Sr. on UCMs. We call on all stakeholders to actively support the Special Rapporteur's mandate and implement her recommendations, including through effective use of the monitoring tool for documentation and redress. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:08:12]: Thank you. I give the floor to the Charitable Institute for Protecting Social Victims for a joint statement by video. Charitable Institute for Protecting Social Victims [1:08:27]: Mr. President, this NGO, which has worked for many years in the field of protection of at-risk populations, expresses its deep concerns over the human consequences of UCMs. In practice, these measures, contrary to the UN Charter and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, have restricted ordinary citizens' access to medicine, healthcare, education, and social support services, exposing thousands of women, children, and patients to serious risks. Our field experience demonstrates that so-called humanitarian exemptions have largely remained on paper and failed to meet the real needs of people. In particular, the phenomenon of overcompliance by companies and the fear of US sanctions have become major obstacles to implementing humanitarian exemptions. While appreciating the valuable efforts of the current Special Rapporteur, especially the establishment of the Sanctions Research Platform and the development of the Sanctions Monitoring and Impact Assessment Tool, we call on the next mandate holder to reflect more explicitly in their reports the gap between legal commitments and field realities. We further urge them to stress the need for the effective implementation of humanitarian exemptions and to amplify more strongly the voices of civil society organizations and those directly affected before the international community. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:09:55]: Thank you. I give the floor to Cuba Association, in English, the Cuban United Nations Association for a joint statement. Cuban United Nations Association [1:10:09]: President, the Cuban United Nations Association greets the Special Rapporteur. On behalf of civil society and those who live and work in Cuba, and on behalf of hundreds of organizations, movements, networks, projects and social actors, we condemn the reincorporation of Cuba in the so-called list of terrorist sponsoring states drawn up annually by the US government. This list is immoral, unjust, intimidating, arbitrary and illegal. It is a tool used by the US Government to continue to justify and increase to extreme levels the genocidal blockade against Cuba. We're grateful for the importance that the Special Rapporteur and the OHCHR are lending to the impact of UCMs on human rights, in particular the communications and statements made by the US Government. The blockade constitutes a flagrant violation of the human rights of all Cubans, including our right to life. We reject this political act, which has a significant humanitarian impact. It undermines access to food, energy sources, medication and medical teams, and has a disproportionate impact on children, older people and persons with disabilities. It substantively affects the actions of Cuban civil society and their international partners. Cuban society calls for the lifting of the blockade. In so doing, we are supported by international civil society, wide swathes of American society, political personalities, and social workers and academics from the world over. We're grateful to the Special Rapporteur for her work and reiterate our call for the support to her mandate. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:11:42]: The Organization for Defending Victims of Violence, please. Organization for Defending Victims of Violence [1:11:46]: Mr. President, we thank the Special Rapporteur for her work. Mr. Vice President, we thank the Special Rapporteur for her six-year tireless efforts to document the humanitarian impact of UCMs. The recent U.S.-Israeli aggression against Iran should not be seen as an isolated incident, but as the culmination of a long-term strategy supported by a systematic campaign of sanctions led by the U.S. These measures went far beyond mere economic pressure, creating a web of restrictions that deliberately blocked Iran's access to essential defensive arms and technology, aiming to disarm the country and set the stage for planned aggression. The state's right to self-defense, as affirmed by Article 51 of the UN Charter, is more than a prerogative. It is a fundamental obligation to protect citizens' lives, security, and territorial integrity. Accordingly, the right to self-defense is not merely a matter of state discretion, but a human right owed by the government to its people. This deliberate deprivation of advanced defensive systems directly contributed to the death of at least 1,100 Iranians, many of them women and children, in clear violation of their fundamental right to life. We call upon the international community to address this serious concern under the category of sanctions, recognizing UCMs as a catalyst for aggression. Thank you, Vice President. HRC · Vice-President [1:13:09]: Thank you. I give the floor to Iran Autism Association by video. Iran Autism Association [1:13:15]: Mr. President, we thank the Special Rapporteur for today's report and for her valuable work during her mandate. I speak on behalf of the Iran Autism Association. Unilateral sanctions, along with widespread overcompliance by banks and companies, severely impact the lives of vulnerable people, especially children with autism. In Iran, Families face growing shortages of rehabilitation services, assistive equipment, and related medicines. Many mothers are forced to leave their jobs to provide full-time care. This deepens poverty, isolation, and erodes their sense of dignity. As Mrs. Doohan's report confirms, such measures violate basic economic and social rights, and persons with disabilities are often hit the hardest. In practice, so-called humanitarian exemptions are ineffective. Banking and transport restrictions continue to block access to vital goods and services. We urge this Council to ensure that sanctions never restrict access to essential care for persons with disabilities. Call on governments and private actors to prevent overcompliance and keep humanitarian channels open. Mr. President, Behind every statistic is a child whose right to live with dignity is being denied by barriers they did not create. We ask you to be their voice. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:14:45]: Thank you. I give the floor to Family Health Association of Iran by video. Family Health Association of Iran [1:14:53]: Mr. President, numerous studies and official reports, including recent reports by Professor Dohan, demonstrate that UCMs have severely restricted access to healthcare, increased the cost of medicines, and reduced nutritional quality for vulnerable populations. These impacts have resulted in higher mortality and the emergence of preventable diseases caused by malnutrition and lack of treatment. Recent data indicate that malnutrition in Iran, particularly among children has reached a critical level. This crisis has worsened following the reimposition of U.S. sanctions in 2018. For example, in 2020, the average price of food in Iran rose by over 42% compared to 2020, placing additional strain on low-income households. Reports further estimate that sanctions contributed to over 800,000 deaths globally in 2021, many of which occurred sanctioned countries, including Iran. We urge the HRC to establish robust mechanisms to prevent overcompliance by banks and companies, ensuring that sanctions do not unduly threaten citizens' right to life, conduct a true assessment of the humanitarian impact of sanctions, and create a mechanism for reparations to victims of unilateral, unjust, and inhumane sanctions. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:16:21]: Thank you. I give the floor to Wachihe Aseman, Camera Rehabilitation Institute for a joint statement by video. Wachihe Aseman Camera Rehabilitation Institute [1:16:32]: Mr. President, DISNJO expresses its deep concerns over the severe impact of unjust sanctions on children with disabilities in Iran. Despite theoretical claims regarding humanitarian exemptions, banking restrictions and overcompliance have blocked the entry of rehabilitation equipment, advanced wheelchairs, and specialized medicines, as many international suppliers are unwilling to engage with Iran. Meanwhile, charities and NGOs working in the field of disability face blocked financial resources and a disrupted aid supply chain, preventing them from providing sustainable services. This NGO believes that economic sanctions exceeding international legal frameworks clearly violate the fundamental rights of children with disabilities, including the right to life, the right to health, and the right to live with dignity, and have created a human crisis. Accordingly, this NGO calls on the mandate of the Special Rapporteur to, one, ensure secure financial mechanisms for the entry of medicine and medical equipment, two, Support the effective implementation of humanitarian exemptions by financial institution and international bodies. Three, encourage Human Rights Council member states to adopt meaningful accountability measures to our children and their families affected by sanctions. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:18:01]: Thank you. I'd now like to recognize. Yes, it's a development for a joint video statement. Speaker 85 [1:18:11]: We welcome the special reporter reports that's a concentration of various form of sanction operation countries by routinely by some countries. We remind all the members of the bitter reality that the UCM violent people right to development, the right to self determination among other right countries such United States, Canada, United Kingdom and European Union use unilateral measures against the LTTE and the impact on the genocide of Eelam Tamils by the Sri Lankan government, such violate a democratic international order. They violate all human rights in Tamil homeland. A number of people of the world have been put on the sanction by them simply for having been part of political organizations seeking independence of political change in another country. It is well known that Canada put members of the ANC on the sanction list long after Apartheid went down. We hope the Special Rapporteurs will include this unilateral sanction taken by some countries against the Tamil civil society movement, even after they have long moved on. We request the Council member to appoint a country-specific Special Rapporteur for Sri Lanka. refer Sri Lanka to the International Criminal Court for accountability for war crime and genocide. Thank you, Nandri. HRC · Vice-President [1:19:43]: Thank you, Excellency. Your Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, this was the last statement that it was possible to hear. I'd now like to pass the floor to Madam Duan for her concluding remarks. You have six minutes and 40 seconds, Madam. UN · Special Rapporteur [1:20:03]: Thank you very much, Mr. Vice President. I would like to thank all states as well as civil society organizations for the support they have expressed in their presentations and support for the mandate. But I would also like to thank all of you for facts, which basically demonstrate clear evidences of the negative humanitarian impact of unilateral coercive measures on different categories of human rights, including economic rights, labor rights, and social rights. And I believe that even the discussion during the ID session today, beside the facts which have been reflected in the report which I present today, are a good example of the impacts which cannot be denied any longer. Responding to questions which have been asked and issue raised, I will probably start with saying that I agree with the very first sentence by the representative of the European Union. Not all unilateral means of pressure constitute unilateral coercive measures, indeed. But the only measures which are allowed in accordance with international law shall not violate any single international obligations of the states deciding on them, so-called retortions, or they can be taken in strict accordance with the rules of countermeasures by a state directly affected by violation of international obligations and in strict observance of fundamental human rights. And as it have been demonstrated today, even by speakers, and it's reflected in my report, fundamental human rights are severely violated. Therefore, the majority of measures taken unilaterally, and I'm talking about approximately 98, 99%, constitute unilateral coercive measures and are illegal from the perspective of international law, whatever are the good intention of imposing them. I would also like to reflect on the fact that in accordance with principle of sovereign equality, principle of non-intervention to domestic affairs of states, states are not free to decide how to behave if the UN Security Council is ineffective. do something or do nothing, is the doctrine which sought to justify the use of military force in the course of humanitarian interventions of early 1990s, which has been unilaterally recognized to be illegal today. This same justification cannot be used for unilateral coercive measures. Any state is only entitled to take measures which are legal under international law. That means authorized by the UN Security Council, fulfill the criteria of retortions or countermeasures. Any other measures are prohibited under international law, and they cannot justify it by any higher values. I would like to remind again that in accordance with the principle of sovereign equality of states, all states are equal. There is not a single state which can decide that another state is a bad one or doesn't deserve to take its own decision and impose sanctions or other means of pressure on these states. This is imposing sanctions Up to the UN Security Council only in the situation of the, when the threat to peace, breach of peace, or an act of aggression takes place. I would also like to mention that, unfortunately, access to justice is a huge problem today. Unilateral coercive measures, as I have presented in my report presented to the UN General Assembly in 2024 on the access to justice, are not protected by this right. Coming back to the issue of the impact of UCMs on economic, social rights and labor rights, contemporary developments reflect that access to the court and moreover since recently access to international commercial arbitration is very limited as lawyers are scared to represent cases relevant to businesses, to economic, social rights and labor rights. as these decisions, for example, in the European Union, have been prohibited to be enforced at the national levels of the European Union countries. And since recently, it refers not only to judicial decisions, but also to international commercial arbitration decisions, if they are relevant to sanctions regime. Responding to the question concerning the possible steps which can be taken by the United Nations, The first step refers to the initiative done by the mandate and supported by many of the panelists is the establishment and proper functioning of the monitoring tool. to talk about consequences and to talk about the impacts, we need to know the facts. And we need to be able to verify these facts from different perspectives. The monitoring tool established by the mandate includes a part focusing on the many of social rights, including the right to health, the right to food, and many other. And I cannot fill this platform alone, and I'm inviting all states and non-governmental actors to share experience, what will help not only to demonstrate figures, but will demonstrate causality links as well. Another initiative, which, upon my opinion, are important, is the attention that will be paid to the impact of unilateral sanctions in multiple UN agencies and boarding, including, for example, ILO, WHO, FAO, UN treaty bodies, and many others. From my perspective, I believe that we, uh, one of the solutions and the only solution is if we bring back the rule of law at the table of settlement of international disputes and settlement of, uh, disagreements between states. I finalized recently the work on the development of commentary to the guiding principles on sanctions, business, and human rights. I did two more initiatives on humanitarian actions and responsibility, and I welcome all of you to help me in this initiative. Thank you very much for your attention. HRC · Vice-President [1:26:46]: Thank you. Your Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, this brings us to the conclusion of this interactive dialogue. I'm very grateful to the Special Rapporteur for her participation. And we will now take a short technical break before we turn to our interactive dialogue with the Working Group on Mercenaries. Thank you. Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, we will now start the interactive dialogue with the working group on the use of mercenaries. The list of speakers will close in 15 minutes, and I now call on the chair rapporteur, Giovanna Szysimirovich Renitto. to present the report. You have 17 minutes. UN · Chair-Rapporteur [1:32:01]: Ms. Yucel. Mr. President, Excellencies, Distinguished Delegates, it is my honor to address the Human Rights Council on behalf of the Working Group on the Use of Mercenaries as a Means of Violating Human Rights and Impeding the Right of Peoples to Self-Determination. I want to join my peers in unconditionally denouncing the U.S. Government sanctions on the Special Rapporteur of the Occupied Palestinian Territory. I express my fully solidarity with Francesca Albanese. Sanctioning a Special Rapporteur appointed by the Human Rights Council violates international law, and it's a direct attack on the integrity of the UN human rights system, including special procedures as a whole. I call on all states to act decisively to denounce these sanctions and refuse to carry them out. I also call on the United States to immediately withdraw these illegal sanctions. The working group would like to thank member states, UN agencies, national human rights institutions, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, non-state actors, investigative bodies, academic institutions, civil society organizations, and all other stakeholders who have engaged with its mandate in the past year. and have taken the time to share their views and experiences in order to strengthen the implementation of the mandate. Today, I am pleased to present our annual thematic report on the role of mercenaries, mercenary-related actors, and private military and security companies in its exploitation of natural resources. This is a follow-up report to the working group's 2019 report on the relationship between private military and security companies and the extractive industry from a human rights perspective. Excellencies, distinguished delegates, The protection of extractive sites and the exploitation of the natural resources by mercenary-related actors and private military and/or security companies involve direct and indirect contracting, payments in cash or in kind through concessions, and the use of direct or indirect violence with or without government consent and control. Services and activities provided by actors range from offensive and defensive military activities to training, advice, video monitoring, logistics in the form of resource transportation, and static security. With the above related services, issues can arise, including in situations that mercenary-related actors engage with governments through bilateral agreements to seize areas outside of state control in exchange for access to exploitation of natural resources as compensation. Impact to local populations, human rights, can be devastating when mercenary-related actors not recruited by states, but operate within them, are considered as rebel groups. Situations of diversion of funds from reaching the local communities due to corrupt practices of state officials and mining businesses have also been reported. In the context of exploitation of natural resources with the combination of contracts between state-owned security companies or private military and/or security companies, responsibility of the various actors are blurred and often result in the absence of investigations into crimes or violations, evidence collections, or prosecutions. The working group has identified areas in which mercenaries, mercenary-related actors, and private military and security companies are connected to the protection of natural resources sites, including in land grabbing, agribusinesses, mineral extraction, logging, and logistics. Mr. Vice President, the responsibility to establish clear rules and regulations for the operations and licensing of private military and security companies, monitoring of human rights abuses, and accountability measures through a security regulatory framework to address Private actors lies with states. In public-private partnerships, states must establish chain of command when multiple actors are involved to decrease the probability of violations of human rights and to facilitate accountability when violations occur. The report's findings underscore the difficulties associated with ensuring accountability for mercenaries, mercenary-related actors, and private military and security companies engaged in the exploitation of natural resources. While there are existing international frameworks to regulate the operations of private military and security companies in the context of natural resources and extractive industries, robust oversight and accountability mechanisms are critical to preventing human rights violations, particularly in the vulnerable local communities where those operations occur. However, the working group reiterates that a comprehensive, legally binding international regulatory instrument will ensure consistent regulation worldwide and adequate protection of human rights affected by activities of private military and security companies. In the context of the exploitation of natural resources, obligations can appear. third parties such as business enterprises. Private actors have an independent responsibility to respect and refrain from infringing upon human rights. Victims of human rights violations have a right to effective remedies, including judicial and non-judicial remedies. Mr. Vice President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, let me now turn to the country visit report of the working group to Cyprus, visited from 16 to 24 January 2025. The working group is grateful for the government of Cyprus for extending the invitation to visit the country and extend its appreciation to those who made this important visit possible. The working group visited Cyprus to assess the regulation and oversight of private military and security companies, particularly in maritime context. The working group urges Cyprus to ratify the International Convention against Mercenaries, strengthen the oversight of private military and security companies on land, ensure mandatory human rights training and vetting for private security companies personnel, establish independent complaint mechanisms, and align maritime and land-based standards with international norms. Cyprus is well-positioned to lead in shaping global standards, and the Working Group stands ready to support efforts to ensure those private security operations fully respect human rights. Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, in closing, I would like to underscore the Working Group's appreciation to the member states who have extended an invitation to the mandate to undertake a visit to their country. During the period of review, the working group received invitations from Colombia, Guatemala, South Africa, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. I look forward to fruitful interactive discussion with you and remain open for your questions and comments. Thank you for your attention. HRC · Vice-President [1:38:50]: Thank you. Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, we So now here the delegation of the concerned country in line with practice. I call on Cyprus. You have five minutes. Cyprus [1:39:11]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. We would like to thank the working group for their presentation. We also wish to thank them for their visit to Cyprus last January. As a strong supporter of the UN system, Cyprus has extended an open invitation to all special procedures mandate holders in line with its dedication to advancing the objectives of the human rights ecosystem. In that spirit, and although mercenary activities in the strict sense do not take place in our country, we welcomed the working group's request to undertake a visit, specifically to examine mercenary-related activities in a maritime context. The visit was valuable. As outlined in the report, it gave our authorities the chance to exchange views and share good practices on mercenary-related activities. However, the absence of activities that fall strictly under the definition of mercenarism meant that only a few authorities were directly involved. Turning to the report of the visit, I would like to make a few comments. First, welcome the working group's conclusion that the overall combination of national legislation and international standards regulating the use of private security companies within the maritime sector is exemplary this recognition reflects cyprus's careful and comprehensive approach to maritime security in line with international law second Cyprus remains fully committed to maintaining high standards for the vetting, oversight, and operational use of private security companies within the maritime context, and will carefully consider the working group's recommendations. Third, on the proposal to establish a body for the submission of complaints related to human rights violations, as well as the creation of a human rights monitoring mechanism, we note that such a mechanism already exists. The Commissioner for Administration and Human Rights is entrusted with supervisory powers and has full authority to receive and examine such complaints. Fourth, the competent authorities are also working on amending the legislation governing the activities of private security companies. A draft bill has been prepared and will soon undergo legislative review. The bill introduces specific provisions aimed at facilitating the licensing procedures for private security guards through transparent processes and oversight by the competent authorities. It also includes provisions on training for security personnel. Finally, Regarding the role of private security companies at reception and accommodation centers, let me assure you that they operate in full compliance with national laws and international standards. Their role is to protect facilities, staff, and residents, including seekers of international protection. Their work is closely monitored to ensure the provision of a safe environment for residents at reception and accommodation centers. In conclusion, Cyprus reaffirms its commitment to a strong and transparent regulatory framework governing private security companies and to continued alignment with international instruments and evolving standards. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:42:44]: Thank you, Excellency, distinguished colleagues. I call on interested delegations to ask questions and make comments on the report, which has just been presented by the Special Rapporteur. I call on the European Union. EU [1:43:06]: Thank you, Chair. The EU thanks the Working Group for their report. We agree that the use of mercenaries poses a threat to international peace and security and contributes to human rights abuses and to violations of international humanitarian law. We remain concerned that some non-state actors and some unincorporated private military and security entities, in particular the Wagner Group or Africa Corps, an armed group affiliated to Russia, have undertaken an increasingly destabilizing role in various parts of the world. We share the concerns regarding abuses documented in the report, including land grabbings, forced displacement, environmental damage, and violence against human rights defenders. The EU has adopted restrictive measures against certain persons and entities involved in mercenary activities, mainly due to their involvement in human rights abuses. Mercenaries are specifically defined under international law. As we have previously highlighted, the working group's work would be more effective if its scope focused more clearly on mercenaries and mercenary-related activities, while avoiding conflation with private military and security companies. Chair-Rapporteur, we take note of the working group's recommendation for stronger regulatory frameworks, transparency in supply chains, and accountability mechanisms. What good practices can ensure that resource revenues benefit local communities, including through due diligence, corporate social responsibility, and effective operational-level grievance mechanisms? I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:44:37]: Thank you. I call on Ghana on behalf of the African states. Ghana · African Group [1:44:43]: Thank you, Mr. President. The African Group welcomes the report and thanks the working group for its continued efforts to address the evolving threats posed by mercenaries and mercenary-related actors. We share the concerns raised regarding the complex role of mercenaries in the exploitation of natural resources and how their presence and activities can undermine the rule of law fuel local power imbalances and place undue pressure on communities, ultimately hindering equitable development and stability. Africa has suffered disproportionately from the destructive activities of mercenaries and private military and security companies, whose operations often exacerbate instability, undermine state sovereignty and violate human rights with impunity. As recommended by the working group, we stress the need for member states to refrain from recruiting, using, financing and training mercenaries and to prohibit such conduct in domestic law in line with the International Convention against the recruitment, use, financing and training of mercenaries. We support the adoption of a legally binding international instrument on the activities of private military and security companies to ensure consistent regulation at the national level. Finally, we reaffirm our commitment to multilateralism and to upholding the principles of the UN Charter in countering the use of mercenaries in all forms. Thank you, Mr. President. HRC · Vice-President [1:46:03]: Thank you. I call on Venezuela on behalf of the Group of Friends. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) · Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations [1:46:09]: Thank you, President. Venezuela takes the floor on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations. The Group of Friends attaches great importance to the purposes and principles enshrined in the UN Charter fully and interconnectedly, including with respect to the principles of sovereign equality, political independence, territorial integrity of states, self-determination of peoples, non-use of force or threat of use of force, and non-interference in internal matters of states. The Group of Friends expresses alarm and concern at the threat presented by mercenary activities to peace and security in developing countries throughout the world, particularly in conflict zones, and to integrity and respect of the constitutional order of the affected countries. We are concerned at the threat arising from the undue use of new and emerging technologies, including digital technologies and financial instruments, and the use of social networks and collective financing platforms online to organize, support and finance mercenaries and related activities. Finally, the Group of Friends reaffirms the need to abstain from any activity that threatens peace, security and self-determination of peoples and is an obstacle to the enjoyment of human rights. Thank you, President. HRC · Vice-President [1:47:38]: Thank you, Excellency. Distinguished colleagues, the list of speakers is now closed, and I call on the distinguished representative of Colombia. Colombia [1:47:48]: Thank you, President. We welcome the report by the working group and the dialogue. We categorically reject the work of mercenaries, which underscores economic vulnerability and a lack of legal protection, and which particularly affects people with a high level of vulnerability. We do not support commercialisation of violence or proxy wars. We promote an international order based on ethical principles and standards. We recognise that the use of mercenaries not only risks the lives of those who are recruited but also undermines international peace and fuels foreign armed conflicts. The take a responsible attitude to protecting our citizens, particularly those who have been victims of recruitment networks and trafficking, which can lead to war abroad. We are ratifying the convention against the recruitment, use and activities of mercenaries, and we have accepted the official visit of the working group in March next year. We hope that this will help us to strengthen Colombia's commitment to defending human rights and promoting peace internationally. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:49:22]: Thank you. I call on Sudan. Sudan [1:49:27]: Thank you, Vice President, uh, we have taken a note of the, uh, reports of the working group, uh, about the role of, uh, private, uh, military and security companies and, uh, mercenary related, uh, activities. activities. This has a disproportionate impact on some countries, including Sudan. There are links between mercenaries and organized crime in all its forms. This includes exploitation of natural resources. And we agree with the dangerous role that the private military and security companies play in this regard. They commit serious violations of human rights by certain entities that push people into armed conflict and various dangers. There are certain mercenary-related activities in various parts of Sudan as part of the rebel group that is conducting an open war against the government and its institutions. There is about 12 countries in the neighborhood and even overseas that see these activities in a flagrant form of human rights violations. These are mercenaries that loot and steal, and this is why we support the recommendation of the working group to stop using, training, or resourcing in any way to mercenaries or their activities, and to exercise oversight on military and security companies. President Xi. HRC · Vice-President [1:51:02]: Thank you. I call on Cuba. Cuba [1:51:08]: Thank you, Vice-President. Cuba thanks the working group for presenting its report. This is a valuable contribution to analysing the serious implications of mercenary and private military and security companies on human rights, particularly in context of exploitation of natural resources. We reiterate our condemnation of mercenarism in all forms. It is a direct threat to state sovereignty, and the rights of people to self-determination and international peace. These business activities very often, uh, draw on a lack of effective regulation and have led to forced recruitment, serious, and serious environmental damage. Call for a legally binding international instrument in order comprehensively to manage the activities of these businesses and call for accountability, reparation for victims, and due respect for international law. In this session, Cuba will present a draft resolution to renew the mandate of the Working Group, and we reiterate a call on the Group to maintain and strengthen its technical assistance, cooperation, and constructive dialogue with States as the way to address the problem of MRSA activities. And we thank all States who actively participated in the consultations on this resolution, and we call for broad support for it. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:52:44]: Thank you. I call on Rwanda. Rwanda [1:52:46]: Vice President, Rwanda aligns itself with the statement delivered by Ghana on behalf of the Africa Group. We thank the working group for the report, especially on the recommendation to adopt a legally binding international instrument on activities of private military and security companies. By both the 1989 UN Convention and the 1977 AU Convention, mercenaries are individuals recruited outside the regular armed forces, motivated by private gain and directly engaged in armed hostilities. Today, we see new rebels, private military contractors, security companies, service providers. These words do not change any reality. In Africa, conflicts, so-called contractors are not only training or advising national armed forces, they are also flying combat aircraft, operating attack drones and manning heavy artillery. That is directly participating in war and this is nothing but mercenarism. Worse still, in some theatres, mercenaries are seen operating alongside or in direct proximity to UN-mandated peacekeeping forces, such as the disturbing case of Eastern DRC, where European mercenaries hired by Al-Jamila and Colombian mercenaries under the infamous water Blackwater are openly active alongside MONUSCO. Let me conclude by stressing that mercenarism is real and presents a problem that has never and will never constitute a path towards stability. Rwanda maintains that lasting stability can only be achieved through development of institutions that are resistant... HRC · Vice-President [1:54:21]: Thank you. I call on Armenia. Armenia [1:54:26]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Armenia welcomes the working group and thanks for preparing the report. The 20th anniversary of the working group on the use of mercenaries marks a significant milestone for reflection of the group's achievements in protecting human rights and ensuring accountability for violations related to the activities of mercenaries and private military security companies. In this regard, we are pleased to observe that the dialogue and cooperation between the working group and Armenia has strengthened and further contributed to countering mercenaries at the global and regional levels during this period. We would like to recall that in various conflict situations worldwide, mercenaries have been often used as proxies, enablers, and facilitators contributing to serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. Addressing these violations is critical for preventing their recurrence and fostering long-term peace and stability. We look forward to continuing our cooperation with the working group to advance its important mandate. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:55:37]: Thank you. Speaker 109 [1:55:42]: Thank you, Vice President. We'd like to appreciate the efforts of the working group on mercenaries, and we also appreciate the important report that reaffirms that the mercenaries and their illegal activities in conflict areas are a threat to international peace and security and are a flagrant violation of the UN Charter and international relations principles. The activities of mercenaries are complex and are sometimes linked to cross-border crimes, including terrorism, illegal migration, and organized crime. The mercenaries, unfortunately, benefit from difficult economic and social conditions of civilians to recruit them. Mr. Vice President, my delegation insists on the importance of intensifying efforts and undertaking serious measures through the working group and other UN mechanisms to eliminate the scourge of mercenaries as we try to protect human rights and to preserve international peace and security. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:56:48]: Thank you very much. South Africa, please. South Africa [1:56:53]: Mr. Vice President, my delegation thanks the working group for presenting this informative report. South Africa looks forward to the working group's visit in the near future. My delegation is deeply concerned that the presence of mercenaries, related actors, and private military and security companies continues to exert undue pressure in local communities undermine the rule of law, as well as cause an imbalance in power dynamics and development among local populations. The latest statistics in this regard require urgent attention. This situation, coupled with the illicit financial flows, significantly undercuts efforts by many mineral rich developing countries to generate adequate revenues in order to fulfill their human rights, uh, obligations. Our own national laws prohibit mercenary activities and provide a regulatory framework for prohibition, any assistance or services of a military or military-related nature in a country of armed conflict. Accordingly, my delegation supports calls, in addition to existing international frameworks, for robust oversight and accountability mechanisms to prevent human rights violations, particularly in vulnerable communities where these operations occur. South Africa will continue to support the mandate of the working group to study the human rights violations, in particular to the right of people to self-determination committed by mercenaries and those engaged in mercenary-related activities, as well as private military and security companies. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [1:58:24]: Thank you very much. The State of Palestine, please. State of Palestine [1:58:30]: Mr. Vice President, we thank the Working Group for its important report. It sheds light on how mercenaries and PMSCs exploit natural resources at the expense of people's right and self-determination. For the Palestinian people, these findings are lived realities. Under an ongoing illegal occupation, Israel exploits our land, water, and natural resources in flagrant violation of international law. Settlement enterprises are built on confiscated land and guarded by private security companies that provide alongside the occupying army. These actors facilitate land grabbing, repress peaceful protests, and protect industries that pillage Palestinian communities, seize minerals, and agricultural land. As the report warns, such exploitation is inseparable from serious human rights abuses, such as forced displacement, destruction of livelihoods, arbitrary detention, torture, and attacks on human rights defenders. Palestinian resisting land theft face the same violence the report documents globally, compounded by impunity and international protection of the occupying power. We therefore echo the working group's call for the legally binding international instrument on PMSCs, one that applies in situations of occupation and prevents corporations from profiting from exploitation. We also call on states to ensure accountability for companies complicit in settlement activity and resource plunder. Mr. Vice-President, the right of peoples to self-determination cannot coexist with a system where mercenary logic and corporate profit override human dignity. Ending such exploitation is not only essential for accountability, but also a prerequisite for peace? HRC · Vice-President [2:00:04]: Thank you very much. Cameroon is recognized. Cameroon [2:00:10]: Thank you very much, President. My country aligns itself with the statement made by the African Group. Cameroon reaffirms its commitment to the aims and principles of the UN Charter, in particular the sovereign equality of states, territorial integrity, self-determination of peoples, and non-recourse to force and non-interference. It is in this vein that it supports the mandate of the working group and takes note with interest of the recommendations in its report. My country is concerned by the persistence and change in activities connected to mercenaries, including growing recourse to militarized societies and private security. This can have serious repercussions for human societies and the security and stability of states. Cameroon believes that recruitment, funding and the use of mercenaries has serious political, economic and social consequences which are damaging for affected countries. In line with its commitments, Cameroon has ratified a number of international instruments against mercenaries and ensures that it prevents any activity around recruitment, training or funding on its territory. Military activity is strictly governed by our regulation in that area and the 2014 law, which ensures that terrorism is punished and recourse to terrorist acts and participation in them is properly dealt with. Re-elected in February 2025, the Peace and Security Council in Africa is something that Cameroon believes will lead to significant commitments around the African Union Convention concerning the elimination of mercenaries in Africa in order to adapt to new realities and strengthen legal tools in our region. Thank you very much. HRC · Vice-President [2:01:47]: Venezuela is recognized. Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of) [2:01:49]: Thank you very much, Vice President. We're grateful to the working group for the presentation of their report. and reiterate our support for this valuable mandate. We take note of the outcomes of the report and we agree with the need for States to abstain from recruiting, funding or training mercenaries, at the same time that we urge States to investigate, prosecute and punish violations committed by mercenaries or private military companies, ensuring justice and reparation for victims. We also support strengthening international cooperation to bring to justice those who promote and use these practices. As is well known by the working group, Venezuela has been victim of the use of mercenaries to carry out actions against our country. Unfortunately, we have known how these groups act and who promote them in frank and flagrant violation of the principles and aims of the UN Charter. Recently, in April 2025, Venezuela reported the planning of a false flag operation against an ExxonMobil tanker in the sea between Venezuela and Guyana. This operation was organized by mercenary groups with the aim of promoting military actions against our country. As a result, we firmly reject any activity around contracting mercenaries, their recruitment, funding and training, which constitute actions which are aimed at undermining the free determination of peoples and violation of human rights while evading international responsibilities. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:03:24]: Thank you very much. Algeria is recognized. Algeria [2:03:26]: Thank you very much, President. My delegation is grateful to the working group for the presentation of its report, which highlights the exploitation of natural resources and interrelated violations of international law by mercenaries and their accomplices, as well as militarized societies or private security companies. We reiterate our full support for this mandate. We would like to emphasize that beyond violations that I mentioned, recourse to mercenaries constitutes often exacerbating factors around conflicts, fueling instability and undermining peaceful resolution. Their activities often take place in the context of foreign interference, which undermines the sovereignty of consent states and seriously exacerbates suffering of civilian population. We insist on the primary responsibility of states to regulate and have effective control over military companies and private security firms operating in their territory or under their jurisdiction. In this context, the implementation of solid legal frameworks as well as effective judicial mechanisms is essential to ensure access of victims to justice and effective reparation. Furthermore, the international community must work to ensure clear standards that are universal and binding are in place in order to provide a framework for the operation of these companies and ensure accountability in cases of human rights violations, as well as to establish credible reparation mechanisms for victims. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:04:52]: Thank you very much. The Islamic Republic of Iran is recognized. Iran (Islamic Republic of) [2:04:56]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. We appreciate the working group's report, which exposes the alarming role of mercenaries in committing serious human rights violations in multiple contexts. Their operations have long been a tool to perpetuate violence, destabilize nations, and silence civilian voices. Today, we must highlight a stark reality: the Israeli regime's systematic reliance on mercenaries in its aggressive policies, most notably during the 12-day war of aggression against Iran. Mercenaries were deployed to assassinate scientists, attack civilian targets, sabotage nuclear and developmental facilities, and spread insecurity across the region. These are not isolated incidents, but a calculated strategy aimed at obstructing peace, undermining sovereignty, and trampling upon the most basic principles of human rights and international law. Dear reporters, we call on the Working Group on investigate these patterns of abuse to expose the complicity of the Israeli regime in outsourcing violations through mercenaries, and to hold those responsible but before the international community. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:06:26]: Thank you very much. China [2:06:32]: Vice President, China carefully studied the report and the statements and knows the complex role of PMCs in the extraction of natural resources. As highlighted in the report, while existing international frameworks regulate their activities, robust oversight and accountability mechanisms are essential to prevent human rights violations. China shares this view. At present, PMFCs in certain countries seriously lack transparency and oversight, and the incidence of human rights violations and breaches of IHL are frequent. China always believes that the activities of PMFCs must comply with international human rights law, IHL, and the relevant national laws, and be subject to the oversight of international mechanisms. We call on relevant countries to take concrete measures to regulate such activities, standardize their acts, conduct in the extraction of natural resources to prevent human rights violations, and investigate cases of abuse to hold perpetrators accountable. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:07:43]: Thank you very much. I would now like to recognise the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland [2:07:51]: Thank you, Mr. Vice-President. We thank the working group for its report examining the role of mercenary-related actors in the exploitation of natural resources. The activities of mercenaries and related actors pose a grave threat to international peace and security. They often show blatant disregard for human rights, destabilise fragile communities and exacerbate conflicts globally. The UK is deeply alarmed by the actions of Africa Corps, whose personnel are directly contracted by the Russian state. Since Africa Corps takeover of Wagner Group, they have been implicated in the pillaging of natural resources, systematic massacres of civilians and the perpetration of sexual and gender-based violence. The Russian Federation bears full responsibility for these atrocities and should be held accountable. They can no longer hide in a grey zone of false deniability. The UK will continue to work with partners to uphold international law, prevent violations and abuses by mercenaries and other malign actors, to ensure that those responsible are held to account. What concrete steps can the international community take to ensure more effective coordination, monitoring, and oversight of these actors? Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:09:13]: Thank you very much. I now recognize Iraq. Iraq [2:09:20]: Thank you very much, Vice President. My delegation is grateful to the working group for its report, which highlights the serious problem undermining human rights and the right to self-determination. Iraq understands the seriousness of the mercenary issue, which fuels conflict and exploits natural resources to the detriment of sovereignty. This all should be done in full respect of state sovereignty and the right to self-determination. It is equally important to strengthen national and international mechanisms to ensure accountability of parties contracting mercenaries and ensure exchange of information to prevent the exploitation of natural resources by mercenaries, as well as the respect for state sovereignty and the right of peoples to self-determination. These are all key factors to ensure a robust international order. We'd like to call for the respect of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and an independent and stable state. And we believe that a people which is left defenseless are... Thank you very much. HRC · Vice-President [2:10:41]: I'd like to pass the floor to Egypt. Egypt [2:10:46]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Egypt welcomes the working group and thanks it for presenting its report on the role of mercenaries and private military or security companies related to it and exploiting natural resources and related violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law. We emphasize the importance of combating the phenomenon of mercenary activity and related practices that violate international law. We stress the importance of addressing the root causes of mercenary recruitment, which are often related to the lack of social and economic rights of recruited individuals. We stress that States shall fulfill their role in ensuring oversight and accountability regarding the activities of private military and security companies and the importance of government's commitment to providing legal frameworks and judicial mechanism for accountability, ensuring justice and ensuring victims access to remedy, as well as the importance of ensuring that the work of those companies is fully transparent and in line with the national laws and countries. of the countries in which they operate, as well as with international human rights law and international humanitarian law. We reaffirm the importance of the role of governments in regulating and monitoring the work of those companies on their territories, ensuring their full compliance with international standards of transparency and the legality of contracts with them, as well as the compensation of victims. Thank you, Mr. Vice President. HRC · Vice-President [2:12:10]: Thank you. I call on the Russian Federation. Russian Federation [2:12:16]: President, we have examined the report of the working group on the role of mercenaries, related actors and private military and security companies in exploiting natural resources. The information therein on the difficulties in combating violations in resource extraction are a concern. Clearly, only through joint forces can we correct this unfavourable situation. We share the recommendation on the need for reliable monitoring and accountability mechanisms to prevent human rights violations by such groups, particularly in vulnerable local communities and places of hydrocarbon extraction, as well as the recommendation to facilitate dialogue between states, private military and security companies, civil society and affected communities to identify problems and develop joint solutions, particularly regionally. In the context of ongoing discussion regarding the legal nature of the future instrument on the activities of private military and security companies, we note that there continues to be a wide range of positions among States. And in that connection, we would like to recall Russia's position. namely that at this stage there are no sufficient grounds to adopt a legally binding instrument on the issue of private military and security companies. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:13:45]: Thank you very much. Chad, please. CHD [2:13:50]: Thank you very much, Vice-President. Chad is grateful to the working group on the use of mercenaries for its report and the recommendations made. It also aligns itself with the statement made by Ghana on behalf of the African Group. Respect for human rights is a key priority for our country. In this vein, Chad fully supports the special procedure system and is firmly opposed to the use of mercenaries, as well as to any activities connected thereto. Chad's situation requires a particular focus, because Chad is a landlocked country surrounded by armed conflict on its borders. Ensuring territorial safety and security is a considerable and difficult task, requiring regional and international support and cooperation, which be pertinent and sustainable. Chad has undertaken a number of positive measures, ratifying the convention of the African Union on the elimination of mercenaries in Africa, as well as the criminal code we put in place, which has a specific article criminalizing mercenaries. This is punishable by a sentence of 10 to 20 years of prison in our country. By way of conclusion, Vice-President, Chad stands ready to support the working group and will continue to commit itself in different international fora in connection with regulating military companies, PMSCs, and private security firms, as well as the combat against mercenaries. Thank you, Vice-President. HRC · Vice-President [2:15:21]: Thank you, Excellencies, distinguished colleagues. That was the last speaker on my list. We would like, therefore, to move on to the list of NHRI and NGOs. And I'd like to start by passing the floor to the Medical Support Association for Underprivileged Iranian Patients. Medical Support Association for Underprivileged Iranian Patients [2:15:45]: Mr. President, group to monitor and investigate the use of mercenaries, mercenary related activities, private military and their impact on human rights. and the rights of people to self-determination, we drew the attention of the working group to the grave violations of human rights caused by the terrorist activities of the foreign-backed groups who committed numerous cases of assassinations in Iran in June 2025, such as mass killings of civilians, including women, children, and Iranian scientists. Mr. President, mercenary activities are heavily restricted under international law and international treaties, and all human rights violations committed by such individuals fall into the mandate of the working group. Therefore, we call on the working group to initiate immediate probe into the activities of mercenaries recruited by various governments inside Iran during and after the Israel-U.S. June aggression. Include the relevant findings in the reports submitting to the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly. Engage with the UN mandates on Iran for coordinated action and access to the documented information on the deadly human right impacts of the aggression. Provide information to the UN to help bring the perpetrators of these mercenary crimes to justice. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:17:14]: Thank you. I give the floor to Iranian Dalav Simia Society by video. Iranian Thalassemia Society [2:17:20]: Mr. President, we as an Iranian NGO draw the conscious attention to serious violations during the 12-day war against Iran by Israel. Coordinated attacks by mercenary networks supported by Israel targeted civilians, scientists, military personnel, hospitals, and humanitarian infrastructure deep inside Iran. Over 1,100 civilians, including children, women, and medical staff, were killed, and thousands of homes and medical facilities were destroyed. These actions violate international law, including Article 2 of the UN Charter, the 1989 International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing, and Training of Mercenaries, and international humanitarian law protecting civilians and medical personnel. The deliberate use of mercenaries for assassinations, bombings, and drone attacks systematically undermines Iran's sovereignty and civilian security. We urge the Council to conduct an immediate and impartial investigation into mercenary networks and foreign support. Publicly condemn these actions as violations of sovereignty and the right to self-determination. Ensure all findings are reflected in upcoming reports to the Council and the General Assembly. Protect civilians and humanitarian personnel under international humanitarian law and the Working Group's mandate. Mr. President, immediate and decisive action is the only way to safeguard human lives. and uphold the moral and legal integrity of the international community. I thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:18:44]: Thank you. I give the floor to Association of Iranian Short Statured Adults by video. Association of Iranian Short Statured Adults [2:18:52]: Mr. President, the UN Mercenaries Convention defines mercenaries as individuals recruited, financed, and employed to fight or destabilize a state for a private gain, outside national loyalty. The Working Group's founding mandate confirmed that such actors threaten peace and the right of peoples to self-determination. By every measure, Israel's recruitment and direction of foreign agents during its June 2025 aggression against Iran meets this definition. We stand here to draw urgent attention to a dark truth. These mercenaries operated inside Iran with Israeli. Support, leaving behind the blood of children, women, scientists, doctors, journalists, and humanitarian workers. Homes, schools, hospitals, and vital infrastructure were deliberately destroyed. This is not warfare; it is organized terror. International law is clear. The UN Charter prohibits aggression. The Mercenary Convention bans their. The Geneva Convention demands civilian protection. Israel and its sponsors choose mercenary violence, illegal assassinations, drone strikes, and sabotage, aimed at openly end regime change. We therefore call on the Working Group on Mercenaries to launch an immediate investigation, document these crimes, and ensure accountability before the Human Rights Council and the General Assembly. Justice for the victims is not optional; it is a duty. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:20:24]: Thank you. I give the floor to Egypt, Peace for Development and Human Rights. Egypt Peace for Development and Human Rights [2:20:30]: Mr. President, We condemn the Sudanese army's systematic recruitment of mercenaries as a tool of domination and control, in clear violation of international humanitarian law and the Sudanese people's right to self-determination. International organizations and eyewitnesses have documented the involvement of foreign fighters, particularly from the Dinka, Ngok, Fur, Missera, and Taama tribes, in military operations targeting civilians in Khartoum, Darfur, Kordofan, and other regions. These actions have resulted in mass killings, the forced displacement of more than 10 million people, the obstruction of humanitarian assistance, and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. Women and children in particular bear the brunt of these atrocities, facing sexual violence, abduction, and life-threatening deprivation. These violations not only constitute war crimes but also crimes against humanity, requiring accountability before the International Criminal Court. Mr. President, we urge this Council to condemn the use of mercenaries by the Sudanese army as a threat to international peace and security, strengthen the mandate of the Working Group on Mercenaries to monitor and document such practices in Sudan, impose targeted sanctions on the officers and commanders responsible, and refer the Sudanese situation to the International Criminal Court to ensure justice and end impunity. Thank you, Mr. President. HRC · Vice-President [2:21:50]: Thank you. I give the floor to a chief to the Youth Council for Development by video. Youth Council for Development [2:21:59]: Mr. President, out of the UN Convention against the recruitment of mercenaries adopted by the UN in December 1989 and that has come into effect in October 2001, we notice that mercenaries are used in different ways based on the country in accordance with the nature of the conflict. The definition of a mercenary has been expanded to include non-citizens who are recruited to topple a government or undermine undermine a constitutional regime of a certain country, as well as undermining its territorial integrity. In Yemen, the Houthi group has used African migrants to fight within its ranks in order to undermine the constitutional regime and has lured African migrants in order to join their ranks. In March 2011, the center with hundreds of African migrants has been burned in Sana'a, which has left dozens of casualties, and we call upon your Council to put an end to their use in Yemen. HRC · Vice-President [2:23:22]: And for human rights, by video. Speaker 145 [2:23:26]: Thank you, Mr. President. As witnesses to the tragedy unfolding in Sudan, we stress our voice about the devastating impact of mercenaries on the ground. Communities have reported how foreign fighters, supported and financed by external actors, in particular the United Arab Emirates, are fueling the conflict, targeting civilians and destroying the very fabric of Sudanese society. These mercenaries do not serve the Sudanese people. They deepen divisions, displace families and commit violations with complete impunity. Their presence prolongs the war. Undermines sovereignty and makes reconciliation and development almost impossible. We have seen schools and hospitals destroyed, children forced from their homes, and women left without protection, all as a direct consequence of mercenary involvement and the support that sustains them. Mr. President, we therefore urge the Human Rights Council and the Working Group to hold accountable those who recruit, finance, and deploy mercenaries, the demand that the UAE immediately end its role in this destructive cycle. Sudan deserves peace built by its people, not a war imposed by mercenaries. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:24:40]: Thank you. I give the floor to Systemic Development and Number 1. Systemic Development and Number 1 [2:24:46]: Thank you, Mr. President. We remain gravely concerned about the Sudanese army's persistent use of mercenaries in the ongoing conflict, in blatant violation of international humanitarian and human rights law. Recruitment of mercenaries, particularly from the Tujer, Dajau, and Ethiopian Tigray communities, has directly fueled atrocities, including extrajudicial killings, torture, rape, and sexual violence. It has also driven the forced displacement of nearly 15 million people, creating the world's largest humanitarian crisis. Today, more than 30 million Sudanese face acute food insecurity, half of them women and children. Mr. President, the deployment of mercenaries not only escalates human rights violations, but also threatens the Sudanese people's right to self-determination and undermines efforts to build sustainable peace. This practice constitutes a serious breach of Sudan's obligations under the International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing, and Training of Mercenaries and erodes prospects for accountability and reconciliation. We urge this Council to firmly condemn the Sudanese Army's use of mercenaries, call for full cooperation with UN mechanisms, and activate accountability measures, including referral to the International Criminal Court. Mr. President, halting the use of mercenaries is a necessary step to protect civilians and end ongoing violations. Thank you, Mr. President. HRC · Vice-President [2:26:15]: Thank you. I call on Thank you. Speaker 149 [2:26:19]: Thank you, Mr. President. Personaries exploit fragile situation, spread violence and profit from human suffering. Their actions not only destabilize society, but also destroy the lives of innocent people. A painful example is the terrorist attack of April 2025 in Palgam, Kashmir, India, where armed groups supported by cross-border network brutally targeted innocent tourists. The crowdly attack not only claimed lives but also spread fear, disrupted livelihoods, and attacked the very spirit of peace and hospitality. Such incidents expose how mercenary-style NATO forces violate human rights and the right to life with complete disregard for immunity. We emphasize that the state must remain the only legitimate authority for security. The use of violence for profit or political motives must never be tolerated. We call upon the Council and Member States to strengthen international law to regulate private military actors, enhance cross-border cooperation against mercenaries financing and training, support capacity building for vulnerable states to resist mercenary influence. Mr. President, the Human Rights Council must stand united. Every victim of mercenary-linked violence is a reminder that our silence only empowers those who trade in blood and fear. We must act now. We thank you. May all live happily. HRC · Vice-President [2:27:48]: Thank you. I call on the Eliska Relief Foundation. The next speaker, Elchin Akkulu. Eliska Relief Foundation [2:28:03]: Special Rapporteur, let me draw your attention to the devastating situation in the Sahrawi refugee camps in the south of Algeria, as the hosting state refuses to share its legal responsibility towards refugees, especially when it comes to their basic rights, as the right to move, to work, to seek legal protection. This legal vacuum has turned those camps into areas that are not subjected to the law, a fertile ground to recruit hundreds of Sahrawi youth as mercenaries. Those youth are being trained and armed by the Polisario in support by the Algerian security apparatus, and they are sent to the conflict zones in Africa to serve political agendas by supporting regimes, as has happened with Gaddafi, or by taking part in armed attacks. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:29:23]: Thank you. International. Not present in the room. We move to the, to Radhegh. Radhegh [2:29:37]: Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Allow me, first of all, to, express our thanks to the efforts that are exerted by the working group, and I would like to share our concern regarding the use of mercenaries as a means to violate human rights. As a Sahrawi myself, I would like to speak about Sahrawis in the Tindouf camps who are being recruited among armed militias by the Polisario and the Algerian security Forces, then sent against their will to fight as mercenaries in addition to Gaddafi regime. They have committed gross violations of human rights during the Libyan revolution. After that, they were directed once again by the authorities that had recruited them to the Sahel area. where they have continued committing atrocious crimes against the civilians, the ethnic cleansing, abductions, sanguinary terrorist attacks that have targeted the locals, as well as the UN peacekeeping forces. Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Thank you very much. HRC · Vice-President [2:31:07]: Excellence. Thank you. Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, that was the last speaker that we could accommodate. And I will now give the floor to Ms. Giovanna Szymiravich-Ranito for her concluding observations. You have 10 minutes, 10 seconds. UN · Chair-Rapporteur [2:31:29]: Thank you, Vice President. Thank you all for very insightful statements and considerations. about the report and more generally about our mandate. I would like to start first by, uh, thanking the Cyprus again for, um, the very insightful country visit and, um, a successful, I would say. Thank you for considering our recommendations and we find that your upcoming revision of the law, it's a great opportunity to implement many of the proposed recommendations of the working group. We also make ourselves available for any additional technical assistance that you might need in applying this and continue collaborations with you in the future. Regarding the questions that we had about the good practices, that can be taken for, um, about, uh, um, uh, social, um, social responsibility initiatives, but also, uh, from other actors, what we actually stress really, in some detail in the report is that, um, there are restorative justice me- uh, measures that can be and have been implemented so far in some states, uh, which may involve, uh, financial compensations, training, uh, of guards in de-escalation techniques, employment of female guards, and provision of training and funding for alternative income generating activities for artisanal miners and farmers who have lost access to land. We also stress the importance of looking into certifications and certification bodies who are usually looking at the due diligence as kind of a checklist and ticking box activity and counting mostly on self-reporting, which we don't find that it's very helpful and that reflects the reality that we observed on the ground. There was a question about what concrete steps can be taken by the states when it comes to limiting the operations of the mercenary related actors and private security companies. And we want to stress that it starts with adoption of the convention, ratification, and then application, of course, in domestic and national laws. We would like to see more states, and we have been seeing in last few years, rising number of the states who are ratifying the convention. We understand that the convention has limitations, but it's a good start implement it in the national and domestic laws, um, to, to prevent recruitment, um, and mercenary activities of the citizens of the state. Moreover, we consider that many states are starting to use extraterritoriality of incorporated entities. That is also another tool that states do have in their arsenal as well. But moreover, we would like to stress the importance of the Intergovernmental Working Group on Private Military and Security Companies and their mechanism that is being discussed and developed and importance to come to agreement about this possible new mechanism to regulate private military and security companies internationally. I would like to say that we understand that our mandate has been having a raising importance in last few years, and we see many different new manifestations of the mercenarism, but also use of private military and security companies, or at least the entities that are presenting themselves as such. So we understand that there is a conceptual difficulty in addressing these actors globally. However, we would like to also raise the question and issue of having these entities becoming with the blurring lines where we have incorporated entities involved in direct combat activities, which makes difficulty actually distinguishing when they are private military and security companies and when they are mercenary-related actors. I would like also to thank all of states and stakeholders who have been supporting the mandate, especially this year when the mandate is celebrating 20th anniversary. Our working group has organized this year a number of events, and we are very thankful for the great attendance of many of you who are present here today also in the room on these events, and we hope that these interventions have been useful for you. The working group is also offering technical advice and assistance to all states that are interested in implementation of domestic laws, the Mercenary Convention, but also the regulation of private military and security companies, and we stand to offer this help whoever needs it. We would like also to a bit stress what is the scope of the mandate because sometimes it appears that states and other entities are considering that this is a fact-finding mission or investigative body, which we are not. We belong to the special procedures, and we have the specific methods of work. So we would like many of you who raised many of different issues that are not related necessarily to the report that we are presenting today to invite you to make a submission through the existing submission process of the special procedures so we can look in those allegations. I would like to thank you again for all the availability to collaborate with Mandate, to invite you to continue collaborate with Mandate and to work in the future with us, thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:37:34]: Excellence, distinguished colleagues, this brings us to the end of this interactive dialogue. I thank the chair rapporteur for her participation, and we shall now move directly to the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human right to safe drinking water and sanitation. The list of speakers will be closed in 15 minutes, so you have 15 minutes. UN · Special Rapporteur [2:38:14]: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Vice President. Excellencies, energy is essential to ensure access to safe drinking water, while water is fundamental to energy production. However, market-driven energy models and strategies for privatization and commodification of water prioritize economic profit over environmental integrity and human rights. We need a just transition for both water and energy focused on human rights, the protection of aquatic ecosystems, and the fight against climate change. Large dams, new large dams for hydroelectric power generation often flood inhabited valleys and cause severe environmental impacts. Thermal power stations, in addition to contribute significantly to climate change, emit sulfur and nitrogen oxides and cause acid rain. Nuclear power plants require large reserves of water and pose severe risks that make unacceptable to use the downstream flows to supply safe drinking water. Even the development of clean alternative energies, such as wind, solar, biofuel, and green hydrogen, depends on the limited availability of non-renewable raw materials, generates severe social impacts in the extraction of critical minerals, and poses risks to food production. Furthermore, the unlimited growth in energy demand outlines an unsustainable future in terms of climate change and the degradation of aquatic ecosystems. Regarding water, we face serious problems of over-exploitation of aquifers, which should be our strategic reserve for managing increasingly frequent extraordinary droughts. On the other hand, systematic toxic pollution is progressively poisoning hundreds of millions of people every day. In 2018, the WHO estimated that 2 million billion people lacked guaranteed access to safe drinking water, the vast majority of whom are not properly thirsty people without water in their living environment, but impoverished people who live alongside rivers or on top of contaminated aquifers, or whose water is hoarded by powerful actors for their productive activities. In terms of energy, around 1 billion people still lack access to electricity and more than 1.5 billion rely on solid biomass as fuel for unhealthy cooking, which caused estimated 6.7 million deaths in 2020, disproportionately affecting women and children. In response to arguments about scarcity to justify these figures, I insist that guaranteeing the human right to drinking water requires less than 5% of the water we extract from nature. And similarly, the clean and sustainable energy needed to ensure a decent life represents only a small fraction of total energy demand. We need to prioritize human rights and basic needs for all while curbing and sustainable growth in demand for water and energy. The uncontrolled and unregulated development of mega data centers under unacceptable opacity and secrecy is extremely worrying, as it is causing a dramatic increase in electricity consumption and significant new demands for water. Regarding water, the most worrying aspect is the lack of transparency in the contracts at Singnet. which likely obscures the fact that these users could have top priority in times of scarcity over needs and functions of high social and/or environmental value. However, without a doubt, the most significant risks arise from electricity consumption, which is already outpassing the development of alternative sources, which such as wind, for instance, and solar that can be used to power these mega data centers instead of being used for the energy transition. In fact, the large corporations involved declare they need more and more energy and are relaunching nuclear power, large hydroelectric dams, and thermal power plants with the corresponding impacts on aquatic ecosystems and human rights linked to water management, while undermining agreed climate change mitigation plans. In this context, we need a dual just transition in water and energy. The massive emission of greenhouse gases, particularly CO2, is well known, requires that the energy transition be the central axis of mitigation strategies. However, the main social risks and impacts materialize through the water cycle, which necessitates adaptation strategies guided by a water transition. To develop this dual transition, in addition to applying the principle of sustainability, we must ensure a just transition based on the principle of equity, adopting a human right-based approach that pays special attention to those living in most vulnerable situations. The energy transitions. Beyond changing supply sources and improving efficiency must also include a change in consumption patterns that slows down the growth in demand. Concerning water, ensuring a sustainable future requires restoring and preserving the health of aquatic ecosystems, respecting the limits imposed by the natural order under the horizon outlined by climate change in relation to the water cycle. Promoting a just dual transition from a human rights perspective requires regulating and even decoupling the right to water and energy from market logic so that even those who struggle to pay the tariff can have access to them. Prioritize public budgets and available resources to ensure the progressive realization of these rights for all. and adequate regulation that guarantees transparency, social participation, and public accountability in both water and energy management. To this end, based on the recognition of the human right to water and sanitation, recognizing the human right to energy would provide a normative basis for moving toward alternative models of energy governance. Within the framework of the report's recommendation, I would like to encourage the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and all related UN agencies, as well as the 2026 UN Water Conference, to promote this dual water and energy transition by explicitly aligning with human rights treaties and mechanisms, including financial mechanisms. Finally, given the alarming development of mega data centers, I recommend promote a moratorium and provide clear information on water and energy demands so that the sector can be regulated on this basis, prioritizing the principles of sustainability, equity, and respect for human rights. Speaking about my visit to Guinea-Bissau. 10th to 19th March. I wish to thank the government for the invitation and for its cooperation. It's a small country which is very vulnerable to climate change. Most of the population live in extreme poverty. Its tropical climate has a rainy season and a dry season. The population depends mainly on groundwater, but as the sea rises, salination takes place, meaning certain communities have to move. I recommended developing strategies to collect and store rainwater during the rainy season, and I also recommended developing strategies to recharge the aquifers during the rainy season. The main problem is bio-contamination of groundwater because of the lack of sanitation and chlorination. Even in the capital, the water is not chlorinated. I was shocked to learn that children in Korabal River communities have blood in their urine because of water which is allegedly contaminated by mining. I also saw the building of the Howard Dam in Senegal had caused a river basin to dry up and the most precious treasure of Guinea-Bissau is its aquifers. but it has social treasures, it has community organizations, it has cities such as Bafata, which also have civil society organizations. In my final report, I recommend strengthening community organizations and having a programme to develop sanitation and chlorination based on the network of schools and health centres, and supporting women in driving the programme. HRC · Vice-President [2:48:23]: I thank the special rapporteur, Pedro Arrojo Agudo, for presenting his report. In In keeping with practice, we will hear the delegation of the concerned country. I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Guinea-Bissau by video for five minutes. Distinguished representatives, the sound, unfortunately, is very poor. The interpretation cannot be fully guaranteed. Guinea-Bissau [2:49:01]: It is with great respect and gratitude that we recognize the work of the Special Rapporteur on safe drinking water and sanitation. He reflects the realities of our country, particularly in rural areas where access to safe water and adequate sanitation is a challenge. The data presented reflect the fact that a small amount of our population has safe drinking water. It reflects a lack of infrastructure and ongoing basic human rights violations, the right to water, sanitation, and hygiene. We recognise the recommendations that have been made, and it is urgent to build resilient infrastructures with governance and institutional support to protect our water resources. The national integrated plan on water, sanitation and hygiene has clear goals and participation by local communities. This plan will cover the most vulnerable areas with programs of education and universal access to water and sanitation. Likewise, It is crucial to support the implementation of the recommendations, ensuring access to water and sanitation. This is a human right for all of our population. We thank the Special Rapporteur and his team for their important work and their awareness of our challenges. We believe that this will be a catalyst for change. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:51:28]: Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, the list of speakers is now closed. I would have wished to give the floor to delegations to ask questions and make comments. But I have been informed that there are requests for rights of reply, and I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cuba for three minutes. Cuba [2:51:58]: Thank you, Vice-President. Cuba categorically rejects the offensive, out-of-order, politicised comments by UN Watch, a so-called NGO. which, far from constructively contributing to the work of the Council, dedicates itself systematically to manipulation, provocation, and insulting sovereign states. Once more, it can be seen that it is not making any positive contribution to the work of this body. as stated in paragraph 56C of resolution 199631 of ECOSOC. It is shameful and unacceptable that in this room we have groups of persons who disrespect the rules of procedure of the Council. who spread hatred and confrontation, who abuse the mandates of the special procedures and the work of UN officials. They cynically support genocide against the people of Palestine. They receive money from Western powers to interfere in the internal affairs of states. They defend lucrative causes and have pronounced openly in favor of the blockade against Cuba, the same blockade that we have denounced in this council for 30 years. It has been rejected by the vast majority of member states of the General Assembly of the United Nations and is a flagrant systematic violation of the human rights of the people of Cuba. There is no sector of the economy and society in Cuba that is exempt from the impact of the blockade. It is a criminal, inhuman act, and we call for it immediately, unconditionally to be lifted. Thank you. HRC · Vice-President [2:54:05]: Thank you. I call on Tanzania. United Republic of Tanzania [2:54:10]: Mr. Vice President. I wish to exercise my right of reply regarding the statement made by the representative from the World Evangelical Alliance and Salvation Army. Their intervention does not accurately reflect the commitment and progress of the United Republic of Tanzania in protecting and promoting the rights and welfare of children. Child labor is strictly prohibited under our national laws. most notably the Law of Child Act 2009, one of the most progressive pieces of legislation on children's rights and welfare. This act is fully aligned with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, ensuring that our legal framework meets international standards. The government of Tanzania is implementing a national strategy on the elimination of child labor in close collaboration with domestic NGOs, UNICEF, the International Labor Organization, and other partners. Through the 2024 Miscellaneous Amendment Act, we have strengthened safeguards against online abuse and sexual exploitation, and officially recognized children's councils which enhance children's rights and participate in decisions that affect them. At the grassroots level, 1,406 children councils, 4,082 school-based child protection desks, and the nationwide helpline 116 provide effective reporting channels and timely protection. We also treat the sexual exploitation of children with the utmost seriousness. Under our penal code, offenders face severe penalties, including life imprisonment for certain crimes. These provisions are not theoretical. Judicial records confirm that perpetrators are consistently brought to justice. Tanzania will remained firm in ensuring that such crimes are met with full force of the law, as they have no place in our legal or moral framework. Finally, Tanzania continues to make significant investment in education, guided by the Law of Child Act 2009 and our national education policies. We have implemented fee-free primary and secondary education for all. This reflects our pledge to protect, empower, and invest in children as the foundation for inclusive growth and sustainable development in line with our international obligations. By safeguarding our children today, Tanzania is investing in a healthier--. President [2:57:22]: Thank you very much, Your Excellencies, distinguished colleagues. That was the last speaker that I had on my list. Would any other delegation like to exercise its right to reply? Sudan, please. Sudan [2:57:47]: Thank you very much, President. This right to reply, is this concerning the mercenary session? President [2:58:20]: Well, in the light of the time, you could maybe do that tomorrow on mercenaries, if that's all right. Thank you very much for your understanding. Okay, Excellencies, distinguished colleagues, that brings us to the conclusion of this session. We will meet back here tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. to continue our interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to water and sanitation, as well as to have our meeting on youth and human rights. 00 a.m. we will have our urgent debate to discuss the recent military aggression undertaken by the State of Israel against the State of Qatar on the 9th of September 2025, the 10th session of the 61st session of the Human Rights Council is closed. Thank you.