2nd Meeting - 62nd Session of Human Rights Council

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Excellencies, distinguished participants.
I hereby declare open the second meeting of the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council.
We will continue with the enhanced interactive dialogue on the oral update of the fact finding mission for the Sudan and we continue with a list of speakers.
I first have the honor to give the floor to United Republic of Tanzania Okay.
Can you hear me? Oh, yes.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
The United Republic of Tanzania aligns itself with the statement made by the African group.
We expressed deep concern over the continued armed conflict in Sudan, which continues to claim lives, devastate infrastructure, reverse hard won development gains, and exacerbate an already grave humanitarian situation.
We are also concerned by the reported involvement of foreign actors in the conflict.
The United Republic of Tanzania supports the initiatives undertaken by the African Union, the intergovernmental authority on Development Igar and other complementary regional and international efforts to facilitate a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
We call upon the international community to continue supporting the Inter Sudanese dialogue, which remains essential for securing long term peace, political stability and security in Sudan.
The United Republic of Tanzania affirms its support to the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Sudan.
I thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Qatar.
Vice President, we took note of the oral update of the fact finding mission for Sudan, and we underscore our steadfast position supporting the unity of Sudan, its sovereignty, and its territorial integrity.
We express our rhetorical rejection of interventionist domestic affairs.
We call upon all parties to put national interests first and shield the country against division and fragmentation.
Qatar expressed deep concerns over the ongoing conflict and its impact on human rights situations in the country, which will lead to the displacement of millions, destruction of infrastructure and critical facilities.
In this light, we underscore accountability over violations and ensuring impunity.
We call upon all the parties to protect civilians and respect IIHL and international human rights law.
As well as ensuring delivery of humanitarian aid in a speedy and restricted manner to those who need them.
We stress that humanitarian response, though important is not an alternative to a comprehensive, lasting political solution.
For that reason, we call upon all the parties to restart an inclusive intra Sudanese dialogue that is serious and that leads to political settlement.
The president interrupts the speaker.
Thank you, Madam Vice President.
Belgium aligned itself with the EU statements.
We thank the FFM for its oral updates and reiterate our grave concern at the continued deterioration of the human rights situation in Sudan where millions face displacement, acute food insecurity, and limited access to basic services while attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure persists.
We are particularly alarmed by persistent patterns of sexual and gender based violence, grave violations against children, killings, torture, starvation, and ethnic targeting.
The shrinking of civic space as well as a lack of protection of humanitarian space further exacerbates this crisis.
We reiterate our call for a cease fire and stress that there can be no military solution to this conflict.
The human rights based confidence building measures the high commissioner developed should inspire a sustainable path forward, rooted in an inclusive civilian led political process that places human rights at its core.
We urge all parties to ensure the protection of civilians, grant unhindered humanitarian access, and take immediate steps to end violations and ensure justice for victims.
In that regard, we regret the lack of access granted to the fact finding mission and call upon all actors to fully cooperate with it as well as with all international accountability mechanisms, including the ongoing investigations of the International Criminal Court.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Russian Federation.
President, it has been three years since the bloody armed clashes began in Sudan between the regular army and the rebels of the so called rapid response force.
This brings mainly suffering to civilians.
There have been reports recently of intensive clashes between the army and the rebels in the border with Ethiopia and instability on the border with Chad.
The rebels are using drones, including to strike civilian infrastructure such as the International Airport of Khartoum, which is a grave concern.
We hope for a rapid end to the armed confrontation and renewal of San's dialogue.
However, the rebels who are trying to establish parallel structures of the authorities in the territories they control such as Darfur and Kordofan not only do not favor this, but rather they deepen the divide in the country.
We seek maintenance of the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sudan and see the highest sovereign council as the highest lawful authority in the country.
Given the many peace initiatives, we believe it's appropriate for a central role in bringing together the different approaches played by the United Nations.
We're categorically against any external interference in Sudanese affairs.
The Sudanese people can and must independently resolve their own internal problems.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Malta.
Thank you, Madam President.
Malta aligns itself with the statement of the European Union and thanks the FFM for their oral update and for their vital work.
We remain deeply concerned by the ongoing systemic human rights violations and violence in Sudan, which has led to displacements of millions of Sudanese who are living in conditions of acute food insecurity.
We condemn the unprecedented levels of sexual violence being used as a weapon of war.
The use of rape, gang rape, and other forms of sexual violence against women and girls is deplorable and must end immediately.
Malta is alarmed by the devastating impact of the conflict on children and the continued reports of grave violations against them.
We call on all parties to uphold their obligations under international law and ensure the protection of children.
More broadly, reports of mass killings, arbitrary detention, summary executions, and torture are widespread and we appeal to all parties to the conflict to stop the attacks against civilian objects and infrastructure and to ensure safe, rapid and unimpeded access for the delivery of humanitarian aid in line with international humanitarian law.
Finally, Malta urges all parties to the conflict to fully cooperate with the fact finding mission.
Ensuring accountability for human rights violations is essential towards justice and sustainable peace.
I thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Thank you, Madam Vice President.
The Human Rights Council should address human rights situations through genuine dialogue and constructive cooperation with the states concerned while avoiding biased and politicized approaches, including attempts to interfere in internal affairs or exert pressure under the critics of human rights.
It should be recognized that initiatives undertaken without the concern and cooperation of the country concerned are unlikely to bring about positive developments and may instead undermine the credibility and effectiveness of the council.
Expansion of initiatives by external parties are counterproductive and do not contribute to genuine progress.
We reaffirm our principled commitment to respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity, independence, and political unity of Sudan.
We also emphasize the importance of dialogue and cooperation in the promotion and protection of human rights.
In this regard, we urge the HRC to promote genuine engagement and cooperation with the member states to carry out its mandate in a strictly objective, impartial and non selective manner, and to firmly oppose politicization, selectivity and double standards in the field of human rights.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Angola.
Thank you, Madam Vice President.
Angola aligns itself with the statement delivered by the African group and thanks FFM for its presentation.
Angola remains deeply concerned by the deteriorating human rights and humanitarian situation in the Sudan.
The ongoing conflict continues to inflict immense suffering on civilians, causing widespread displacement and further exacerbating the vulnerability of affected populations.
We take note with concern of the mission's finding regarding allegations of cdious human rights violations and abuses.
The reports highlight the urgent need to strengthen the protection of civilians and ensure respect for human dignity.
Angola believes that the promotion and protection of human rights must remain at the heart of all efforts aimed at achieving a sustainable peace in Sudan.
Accountability and support for victims are essential to fostering reconciliation and preventing further violations.
Angola encourages continued engagement and constructive cooperation between the mission and the Sudanese authorities with a view to advancing the protection of human rights and building confidence among all stakeholders.
Angola reiterates its call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and reaffirms its support for regional and international efforts aimed at achieving a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Sudan.
I thank you, Madam Vice President.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Belarus.
Thank you, Vice President, in the context of the complex humanitarian situation in Sudan, which has worsened by the ongoing armed conflict, we emphasize the need to support the government's efforts to stabilize the situation and support the public, including refugees returning home.
Belarus has consistently opposed country resolutions and politicized mandates which are not supported by the concerned countries.
They do not make any constructive contribution to ending conflicts and to further peaceful development.
Imposing country mandates and their reports where the government of Sudan has been interacting with the universal human rights mechanisms and the Office of the High Commissioner becomes an instrument for manipulation, interference in internal affairs, and external pressure, which runs counter to the principles of international cooperation within the United Nations.
We confirm our support to the people of Sudan and call on the international community to prioritize humanitarian activities and assistance to the population of Sudan, including food aid and restoral of infrastructure.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Kenya.
Madam Vice President, Kenya aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Africa Group and takes note of the oral updates.
Kenya remains deeply concerned by the continued violence and humanitarian suffering in Sudan, particularly its devastating impact on civilians, especially women and children.
The conflict has evolved into one of the gravest humanitarian crises of our time and requires urgent international attention.
Kenya reiterates its call for an immediate cessation of hostilities by all parties.
We remain convinced that there can be no military solution to this conflict and that only a political, inclusive Sudan led and Sudan owned process can deliver sustainable peace.
In this regard, Kenya underscores the importance of coordinated response under the auspices of the EU and that provides a forum for all sides to engage constructively in order to advance peace negotiations and foster a lasting political statement.
In conclusion, we call on all parties to facilitate unhindered humanitarian access and urge the international community to scale up support to the people of Sudan.
I thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Governor.
Thank you, Madam Vice President.
Dana takes note of the or update by the FFM for the Sudan.
We remain deeply concerned by the continued deterioration of the humanitarian and human rights situation in Sudan, particularly the devastating impact of the conflict on civilians.
We reiterate our call for an immediate cization of hostilities and urge all parties to exercise restraint, refrain from actions that may further escalate tensions, and engage in inclusive dialogue towards a peaceful and sustainable resolution of the conflict.
We call on the international community and humanitarian partners to scale up support to address the significant funding gaps in the humanitarian response plan.
Equally important is ensuring safe, timely and unhindered humanitarian access to all affected populations across Sudan.
Ghana further underscores the importance of investigating all alleged violations and abuses of human rights and international humanitarian law, including conflict related sexual violence and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.
We therefore urge this council and the international community to remain united in affirming that atrocity crimes, and impunity have no place in Sudan.
I thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Uganda.
Thank you, Vice President.
We align with the African group statement and take note of the FFM report.
We also thank and welcome the chair of the Is Committee in Sudan for sharing the realities on the ground.
In the same spirit, we welcome and congratulate the Deputy High Commissioner to this first session.
Four years later of humanitarian despair, aggression, and a dim view to peace, my delegation remains deeply concerned with the persistent conflict, including the unwarranted foreign interference that continues to escalate the conflict in our brotherly state, Sudan.
In this regard, my delegation, Uganda reiterates the following one, We call for an immediate unconditional permanent cease fire in the Sudan to avert the bad situation.
Two, we call for an immediate end to external interference that is escalating the conflict and respect the sovereignty of the Sudan that plays a central role in stability.
And three, we call for continued humanitarian support to the Sudan and emphasize the need to support voluntary return of Sudanese to the safe pockets in the country and pave way for integration and the Sudanese to rebuild their country in their way.
Recognize and appreciate the cooperation demonstrated by the government of the Sudan with the Council and its mechanisms and encourage it to continue to do so.
Finally, Madam Vice President, we implore the council to prioritize dialogue and engagement with the Sudan as anything to the contrary is counterproductive.
I thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Spain.
Thank you, Madam Vice President.
Spain joins the European Union in its statement, and we thank the panelists for the presentations.
The civil war in Sudan has become the greatest humanitarian catastrophe the world over.
We continue to be alarmed over the serious human rights violations and the serious IHL violations that the rapid support forces and the Sudanese armed forces continue to commit with total impunity.
We energetically condemn the use of hunger and sexual and gender violence as arms of war and the serious violations against the rights of children as well as attacks on population, civil infrastructure.
We are greatly worried that crimes be committed from Darfur and the Fas and in the Kordofan region, as well as the over the growing use of drones against civil population victims, call for a peaceful solution to the problem and justice reparation for victims and accountability.
Th responsible, we urge the parties to reach a ceasefire and to respect territorial integrity and unity of the country and to renew negotiations with an eye on a broad dialogue on the national civil front that is inclusive.
And that establishes a representative civil government.
How might the international community contribute to identifying the representative civilian actors with capacity for dialogue to bring about a national political process that is inclusive and sensitive to all parties.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Colombia.
Madam Vice President, Colombia is hoping to cooperate with the Sudanese government to put an end to the conflict that primarily affects the civilian population.
My country rejects mercenasm and the deceitful or sham recruitment of combatants, as well as participation of Colombians in the Sudanese conflict.
For this reason, in 2025, we saw the creation of an interinstitutional group on matters related to mercenaries and in March of 2026, we saw the adoption of the International Convention Against the recruitment, use financing, and training of mercenaries.
We saw La 25 69 in Colombia, which is being reviewed by the Constitutional Court before entering into force.
The United Nations Working Group on the use of mercenaries visited Colombia in March 2026.
We would like to reaffirm our resolve to continue to work with Sudan and international mechanisms to eradicate this practice.
The response to mercenasm should be comprehensive, articulating with diplomatic action, judicial cooperation, consular assistance, and social sector prevention efforts.
This interinstitutional focus must ensure that no Colombian be used as an instrument in foreign conflicts.
We urge Sudan to continue to strengthen its cooperation with international mechanisms, including the designated expert and the International fact finding mission.
We appreciate their contributions to the promotion of human rights in Sudan.
Thank you very much, Madam Vice President.
This was the last speaker we could accommodate for this dialogue and I give the floor now to distinguished representative of the Sudan.
You have 1 minute.
Most of the statements we listened to and this the dangerous nature of support to a terrorist militia.
Violations will ce only one funding of the militia cases.
Sudanese government is open to sincere efforts aiming to end the war in line with the government's initiative for peace and with the intra Sudanese Sudanese led dialogue.
Our national islation protects religious freedoms and abductions and arbitrary arrest happen solely in militia controlled areas.
Thank you so much.
Thank you.
We shall now begin with a list of speakers for national human rights institutions and non governmental organizations.
First, I give the forward to legal action worldwide.
Vice President, Excellency's commissioners, we have heard the calls for justice and accountability.
Last Tuesday, legal action worldwide and our partners filed the first war crimes complaint with the Director of Public prosecutions in Nairobi, Kenya.
The criminal complaint identifies ten persons of interest from the rapid support forces.
These are mid to senior level commanders who travel freely in and out of Kenya.
We represent 12 brave Sudanese women and men who filed this complaint.
They were arbitrarily detained, tortured, raped, sexually enslaved, and witnessed family members being killed in and around Khartoum.
They are representative of millions of Sudanese who have suffered from horrific crimes.
The survivors are asking for something simple but fundamental, that their evidence is examined by a competent legal authority.
When the Kenyan Prosecutor's Office officially received the 196 page complaint and stamped it, this was already a first step towards accountability.
It is now for Kenya's prosecutorial authorities to independently assess the evidence and determine the next steps.
We have confidence that they will order an investigation.
Esteemed commissioners, how can member states best support justice and accountability efforts to ensure that Sudanese war criminals have no safe haven? Thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to MAT for Peace Development and Human Rights Association for intervention by video.
Mr.
President, we would like to thank the fact finding Commission for its oral update.
We express our concerns as there have been increasing numbers of civilian casualties in the Sudan.
We have documented at least 320, as well as the murder of around 206, all of them are civilians that have been killed by a drones and we are also concerned regarding the aerial attacks that have been launched from Bakradar city in Ethiopia and the expansion of the Ethiopia airport in order to receive military provisions for the interest of the rapid support militias as well as the transfer of aerial lines of Ethiopia, of armed forces that are affiliated to such militia from Ethiopia to the Blue Nile province in order to combat alongside the rapid support militia.
Hence, we call upon the commission to encourage all member states and observer states to exert pressure on the Ethiopian lines in order to stop such actions.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Eika Relief Foundation also by video.
Thank you, Vice President ska, welcomes to the results of the Berlin Conference, as well as the joint call aiming for an end to war adopted 15 April 26th, as well as the call for launching of a global political process looking for a United Sudan.
Unfortunately, on the ground, we see that things are different.
The rapid support forces continue to expread their influence throughout the region of Darfur and the West of Sudan, proclaiming a parallel government.
Leading to parallel administration on the local level, as well as new taxes on civilians.
The parallel governments created a Security Council for Defense in June of 2026, the threat of the partition of Sudan, against which the A Zika warns is imminent.
A Zika calls upon the members to establish to establish the facts and urge members of this council and observers to reject any parallel entity in Sudan as well as to abstain from agreeing to any legitimate political body.
We call for the joint policies put into this war as expressed in Berlin.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Development Assistance International.
Thank you, Madam Vice President of Development Assistance International.
I appreciate the updating of the international fact finding mission.
However, we wish to draw attention to members of the Mission to information regarding the massacres at the hands of the FSR.
According to this information, massacres by the RSF on five June 26 in the village of Misdi near Guinea and Darfur took place.
This targeted members of the Masalit tribe.
We believe that these could be crimes and crimes against humanity perpetrated by the RSF in the framework of their ethnic cleansing.
We also note the almost total meltdown of the food system in Sudan where the RSF have destroyed matresses, disturbed supply routes and greater.
This has brought one of the greatest food crises in the world.
We urge all parties to bring to bear their influence against the RSF and call for an end of their massacres against civilians, calling, particularly of minority groups in Genema.
We call upon donors also to step up their support for humanitarian response.
A plan for you Sudan.
Thank you.
Deploy to African Center for Democracy and Human Rights Studies for a joint statement.
Thank you, Vice President, distinguished members of the Council.
We fully support the Banu Joint Declaration on Sudan adopted on 12th May 2026 by the FFM and the joint fact finding mission of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights.
We believe that the comparative advantage of these two missions rests in their ability to fully exercise their mandates, which, and I quote the Joint Declaration, consist inter alia of investigating and establishing the facts, circumstances are root causes of the violations and abuses of international human rights law, as well as violations of international humanitarian law committed in the context of the armed conflict in the Republic of Sudan with a view to contributing to accountability and the protection of civilians.
Madam Vice President, as the situation in Sudan is worsening, we therefore call for renewal of the FFM mandate for at least two additional years.
We have identified several victims, experts, and witnesses who are willing to testify before the admission and for that purpose, we have facilitated the travel of some individuals to meet with it since late April 2024.
Finally, we implore the FFM to demand that Sudan makes public the results of the work of its national committee to investigate accusations about the use of chemical weapon, it should also add its voice to call on Sudan to allow the organization for the rehiion of chemical weapons to send a technical team to investigate this accusation.
Thank you, Madam Vice President.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Interfaith International.
Madam Vice President, Interfaith International thanks the independent International fact finding Mission for its update.
We remain deeply concerned by worsening humanitarian situation in Sudan, particularly in Tewa, which has become a refuge for hundreds of thousands of people fleeing violence in Zamzam Camp and Alphasher.
Women, children, older persons, and persons with disabilities continue to face immense hardship and protection risk.
The continued escalation of hostilities threatens to further destabilize an already catastrophic situation and places countless civilians at risk.
The urgent need of affected population must remain at the forefront of international response.
We therefore call on all parties to ensure safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access and to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law.
Interfaith International is also concerned by the continuing reports of attacks against civilians, forced displacement, conflict related sexual violence, and other serious abuses, accountability, remains essential to breaking cycles of violence and build sustainable peace.
We urge all parties to cooperate with international accountability mechanisms and to place the protections of civilians at the center of all efforts to resolve the conflict.
Lasting peace in Sudan can only be achieved through our inclusive, civilian led process that restores dignity, justice, and hope to the Sudanese people.
I thank you, Madam Vice President.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Eastern Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project.
Vice President, Deputy High Commissioner, we welcome you to your first council session and members of the FFM.
Thank you for your update.
Sudan's situation remains appalling.
RSF atrocities, some of which bear the hallmarks of genocide, should be condemned in the strongest possible terms, but all parties to the conflict must be exposed and held to account.
As this session open, we are particularly concerned about attacks on human rights defenders, closures of NGOs, including in staff controlled areas, and enforced disappearances across the country.
Welcome the May 2026 Banju Joint Declaration signed by the African Commission and African Union FFM and the UN FFM.
It is a clear example of how UN and regional mechanisms can speak with one voice.
Members of the FFM, despite under resourcing, you've done impressive work.
Your recommendations on key priorities, a ceasefire, protection of civilians, humanitarian aid, arms transfers, and accountability cannot be highlighted enough.
How do you intend to use the Banju Joint Declaration to advance accountability? As we prepare for HRC 63 and a likely push for further mandate extension, we urge states to use these and other debates to bridge the gap between the objective gravity of the Sudan crisis and the level of attention the country gets a fraction of what it should be.
Human rights should be at the center of political decisions regarding Sudan and its future.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Human Rights Watch for intervention by video.
Plan fact finding mission for the Sudan for their update.
Despite repeated appeals by this council, all parties have continued to attack and target civilians, notably Kordofan wildlife states where massive uptake in drone attacks is causing massive civilian deaths, injuries, and suffering.
All warring parties have conducted a abusive detentions involving ill treatment and torture.
While this council has addressed many of these crimes committed by the warring parties, it has failed to address actors backing them, notably the United Arab Emirates.
Human Rights Watch has documented how Colombian private military contractors, apparently hired by Abu Dhabi based company, passed through two UAE military facilities before being deployed.
To fight alongside the re cable forces.
These contractors were even present during the ISF assault and fashion, which the FFM found bore the hallmark of genocide.
This research contributes to the growing evidence that the UAE could be aiding and abetting or otherwise substantially contributing to the ISF widespread war crimes and crimes against humanity.
States of the council cannot continue to simply respond to atrocities that have been committed, they must act to prevent further atrocities.
This means taking long overdue action to implement the FFM's recommendations, including on civilian protection and accountability.
It also means breaking their silence on and holding to account other actors that could be aiding and abetting or otherwise substantially contributing to international crimes being committed in Sudan.
We would like to ask the FFM what recommendation they would emphasize in this regard and what more De Council can do to support their ongoing investigations.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Madam Thank you, Vice President Rad.
Congratulates the Mission for its work.
We note the relevant recommendations and renew our support to its ongoing mandate.
The conflict in Sudan is entering its fourth year and the human disaster continues in the context of impunity.
Rado is gravely concerned by the worsening famine and the extreme food insecurity caused by the conflict in a number of regions of Sudan.
We point to the weaponization of famine by the parties.
We call on all parties to authorize civilian safe passage and facilitate safe and hindered humanitarian access.
We condemn the drone strikes, repeated drone strikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including humanitarian staff, premises, and goods, and numerous attacks on the World Food Program.
These are, for us, war crimes.
We call on all parties to the conflict to respect and to protect humanitarian staff premises and goods in line with international law obligations and resolutions 2732 286.
In conclusion, we commend the efforts by regional partners, the United Nations and international partners to support the agreement on the humanitarian cessation hostilities and immediate ceasefire for an inclusive civilian led transition, and we call on member states to abstain from any external interference in the conflict.
We reiterate our commitment to the respect for sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Sudan.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the forward to International Service for Human Rights.
Thank you.
This is a joint statement.
In Sudan, civilians continue to endure unbearable conditions in Dillin South Kordofan while thousands walk on foot for days in search for safety in the Blue Nile State.
The conflict in South Kordofan region has intensified with the rapid support forces and SPL MN forces launching indiscriminate drone strikes and shelling on civilian areas, killing dozens of civilians including children and local responders, for example, Sarah Ahmad, a with the emergency response rooms in Dillinge.
Local responders and human rights defenders face vicious attacks as they work to save lives and document war crimes.
They operate with extremely limited resources to fill critical gaps in areas where international aid organizations cannot function.
Every day they choose to remain in high risk areas so their communities can access the limited aid available.
Our organizations urge all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law, ensure an immediate ceasefire, protection of civilians, unimpeeded humanitarian access, and allow safe passage for civilians and humanitarian workers.
We urge all parties to the conflict to guarantee civic freedoms by removing all restrictions for people to freely express and peacefully assemble and associate without fear of reprises and retribution.
And we call on donors to scale up funding for local groups responses across Sudan, especially for community kitchens, healthcare, and protection.
Finally, we ask the FFM what support it needs to effectively carry out its mandate.
Thank you.
Thank you.
This was the last speaker we could accommodate for this dialogue.
I will now give the floor back to our distinguished speakers for their concluding remarks and we start by Mr.
Mohamed Ahmed.
You have the floor, please.
Thank you.
In time of Holis on humanitarian crisis, there's rightfully as focus on urgent need to protect lives.
However, it is equally as necessary to document violations to economic, social, and cultural rights.
These are the respect of our lives as Sudanese that support the work we do.
We also must not forget the British of transitional repression, where the parties to the conflict have attempted to silence the forces that speak out against the violations and against the war that had been repetated.
The protection of human rights, humanitarian and human rights defenders is vital.
I thank you.
Hi.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to the fact finding Commission for his concluding remarks.
You have 3 minutes.
Madam Vice President, Your Excellency's distinguished delegates, I thank all of you for your interventions, especially those that reaffirm solidarity with the people of Sudan and the importance of respect for fundamental human rights, including international law.
Questions that were posed by Iceland, Switzerland, South Africa, and EU regarding also the Banju Declaration of the joint fact finding mission on Sudan by the African Commission on Human and People's Rights and FFM Sudan.
I would like to respond to that and other questions regarding accountability and how state can be of help.
You recall the resolution that renewed our mandate October last year, encourage FFM Sudan to focus its efforts on complementarity.
It is in pursuance of that that we have the joint declaration, which is a milestone in parallel that was adopted 12th May 2026 in Banju de Gambia.
I was personally there representing the fact finding mission.
This landmark document that was adopted at the margin during the 87th session of the EU African Commission on Human and People's Rights emphasized reaffirmed our shared commitment on complementarity and importance of cooperation and coordination between regional and international accountability mechanisms.
And then, of course, mentioned issue of immediate protection of civilians, cease fire and de escalation, humanitarian access, ending sexual and gender based violence, a guarantee of humanitarian access, and emphasis on accountability.
Time will not permit me to dwell on accountability, and I'll turn in to my colleague Mona.
Thank you very much for your important questions and engagement and thank you, OHCHR for all the support you've been given to us.
I will address quickly two issues.
First is the role of the external actors.
This has been asked a lot.
In addition to looking at the responsibilities of the parties to the conflict and their allies, Particularly those violations that amount to international crimes, we are advanced in our investigations regarding the role of other actors in terms of state responsibility, corporate responsibility, and individual criminal responsibility.
Our investigations are particularly focused on the supply of mercenaries, weapons, and fueling the war economy.
Today, which is my second point, today we focused on you asked about how to support peace in Sudan and our work.
I would say supporting our work is supporting the people of Sudan.
Today, we emphasize the issue of arbitrary detention.
Torture and disappearances.
Now I'll switch into Arabic.
Nath Jamal Araf there must be an immediate stop to the arbitrary detentions.
We call for all detainees held for political reasons to be freed, guaranteeing humane treatment.
And fair trials.
The independent bodies must have unhindered access to detention centers and the fate of all disappeared persons must be clarified.
There must be systematic, effective communication between detainees and family members.
To address arbitrary detention, torture, and enforced disappearance.
We're doing this will bring a peaceful settlement Given that the two parties to the conflict have been using detention and unfair trials to repress the Sen these people, we call on them to free their victims, cooperate with the International Criminal Court to broaden its mandate to Gabond collect evidence for criminal proceedings in the future and impose punishments on those who have violated the law, I thank you.
Okay.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to the Deputy High Commissioner for her concluding remarks.
You have the floor, please.
Madam Vice President, as my concluding remarks allow me to share a few key takeaways.
Firstly, on accountability.
All parties to the conflict should uphold the international legal obligations and commitments and ensure that these are upheld by all actors fighting on their behalf.
They should put in place effective measures to prevent sexual violence and to enforce strict command orders to end it.
The international community should scale up funding for service providers, health and legal in support of survivors.
Accountability for human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law, regardless of the rank and affiliation of the perpetrators, is essential to prevent the repetition of atrocities and to achieve sustainable peace in Sudan.
Secondly, on political efforts.
Strengthened and coordinated diplomatic efforts are needed to achieve a cease fire in Sudan, to protect civilians and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need.
Action is also needed to end arms transfers that fuel the continued conflict.
In addition, more diplomatic and political pressure must be exerted on the parties and their regional and international allies towards a cease fire and protection of civilians.
OECHR proposal of human rights based confidence building measures, which has been shared with parties to the conflict is aimed to support mediation efforts and propose concrete measures for agreement between the parties that can strengthen the protection of civilians and build confidence to advance negotiations on more contested issues.
The High Commissioner has tasked his designated expert on Sudan to engage in dialogue with parties to the conflict on the implementation of this proposal.
Thirdly, on civic space, it is also essential to protect civic space, to enable Sudanese people, civil society, human rights defenders, and local volunteers to be included in defining solutions to the crisis.
Given the current global funding challenges, donors are encouraged to continue supporting local humanitarian responders.
Thank you.
Thank you.
This brings us to the end of this enhanced interactive dialogue.
I wish to thank all speakers for their participation.
And we will now take a short break before holding the enhanced interactive dialogue on the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea.
The I Excellency participants.
We shall now hold the enhanced interactive dialogue on human rights in Eritrea pursuant to Council resolution 59 slash one.
Let me welcome our distinguished speakers.
Mr.
Mohamed Abel Salam Baker, special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea, miss Mary Corjnz Sherif, director of the Global Operations Division in OHHR.
Her Excellency, miss Sophia esa Maria, ambassador of Eritrea and Mr.
Ismail Musa, Civil Society representative.
The list of speakers will close in 15 minutes.
Without further ado, I will now give the floor to Mr.
Mohamed Abdel Sam Pubkir for his presentation.
You have 5 minutes, sir.
Thank you.
Mr.
President, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, it is an honor to address this council in my capacity as special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Eritrea.
62 second session marks my final presentation to the Human Rights Council before handing over the mandate to my successor.
Regrettably, after six years, the core human rights issues that prompted this mandate still remain mostly unresolved.
During my tenure, the situation has continued to deteriorate, remains dire and critical and is largely marked by ongoing systematic and widespread human rights violations.
In this report, I assert that reasonable grounds remain to believe crimes against humanity may still be occurring in Eritrea.
The ongoing systematic and widespread disappearance and prolonging communicated detention without charge or trial, torture, and the persecution of political opponents, journalists, and members of religious communities remain central features of governance in Eritrea.
Furthermore, the persistent and intentional use of these heinous practices coupled with a systematic refusal to acknowledge the fate or whereabouts of detainees and missing persons strongly indicates that these practices are not isolated incidents.
Rather, they constitute a broader state sponsored policy of repression and coercion.
Throughout my tenure, numerous families have persistently appealed to me seeking accountability and the disclosure of their loved ones whereabouts, Excellencies.
For this enhanced interactive dialogue, to yield meaning dialogue, I must use this platform.
To pose a direct and fundamental question to the representatives of the Eritrean government.
Why are these disappeared persons? Why are those who have been subjected to arbitrary detention, some of whom have been held in secret detentions for decades? Ten years after the Commission of Inquiry warned that crimes against humanity might have occurred, there are still no investigation, prosecution, or reform.
This severe situation has persisted since Eritrea again, its independence in 1993, in an environment entirely devoid of the rule of law, democratic institutions, political pluralism, and independent media and civil society.
During the reporting period, Eritrean authorities continue to detain prominent religious leaders.
While I acknowledge the government recent releases of 13 long term detainees since December 2025, who had been held for nearly 18 years without charge or trial.
In July 2025, two prominent Muslim leaders, Sheriff Adam Saban and Sheriff Hassan Sneti were forcibly disappeared.
Beyond Eritrea's borders, transnational repression is increasingly playing a more prominent role as the authorities continue to silence, intimidate, threaten, or harm Eritreans in the diaspora.
I call on host states to enhance protection against transnational repression and to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.
Mr.
President, the situation of Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers globally remains very concerning.
Many Eritreans continue to face deportations, arbitrary detention, extortion, trafficking, suspension of refugee protection and registration, and inadequate safeguards in host countries in violation of the principles of non reform and international refugee protection standards.
Your Excellencies, I want to emphasize that the resilience and bravery of the Eritrean people should not be met with indifference.
Victims and survivors are still seeking truth, justice and accountability.
To the families of the disappeared, your loved ones are not forgotten.
To those languishing in jails, and in detention conditions.
In underground cells and containers, we feel your sufferings.
To Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers worldwide, your protection and dignity are a shared international duty.
To Eritrean youth movements, whose future remains limited by repression, militarization, and fear, you deserve a future shaped by freedom and opportunity, not coercion.
As I conclude my tenure, I have not had the opportunity to meet or engage in a constructive dialogue with the Eritrean officials.
My persistent request to undertake an official visit to Eritrea remain unanswered.
This year marked the 20th anniversary of the Human Rights Council and the 14th anniversary of the M's creation.
Regrettably the lack of cooperation, including the denial of country visits and the persistent failure to implement recommendations continues to undermine the Council's resolution.
I call upon the council to closely monitor the situation and to support all efforts towards accountability and justice.
I thank you.
Thank you.
I have now the honor to give the floor to miss Mary Khan and Sharif for her presentation.
Thank you, Madam Vice President.
Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen.
Since the last update on the situation of human rights in Eritrea last year, according to the United Nations Country Team in Eritrea, 2025 annual results report, the government of Eritrea has made some progress in the areas of health, including sexual and reproductive rights, access to clean and water and sanitation, child protection, and social protection.
Eritrea recorded some improvements in maternal and child survival and access to essential health services.
The United Nations Country team in Eritrea reported that routine immunization remains strong while expanded outreach and mobile service delivery have improved access for hard to reach and border communities.
At the same time, malnutrition remains a concern, particularly in drought affected areas.
Efforts to eliminate harmful practices that affect the health and well being of women and children, such as female genital mutilation also reportedly advanced.
Whilst access to education is reported to have increased, ongoing prolonged national military service obligations are negatively impacting the right to education.
Since Eritrea's accession to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in January 2025, some national efforts have reportedly continued to expand disability inclusion in practice, including through rehabilitation and assistive services.
OHHR stands ready to support the government in fulfilling its reporting obligations, including the preparation of the initial report to the CRPD due in February 2027.
Eritrea engaged with human rights mechanisms, including through presenting its periodic report on the implementation of the African Charter on the rights and welfare of the child in April 2026.
At the government's request and in partnership with the UN country team, OHHR held a workshop in Asmara in November 2025 to strengthen the capacity of state officials to engage with human rights mechanisms.
This may reflect an emerging understanding of the importance of human rights for national development objectives and policy making.
The office takes note of Eritrea's request for support and its commitment to increase compliance with reporting obligations.
However, once more, I reiterate this office's offer of support for technical cooperation and capacity building.
In order to achieve real progress, more concrete follow up and action from the authorities is required.
Despite these developments, serious concerns remain.
The system of indefinite forced conscription and other grave human rights violations continue to compel many young people to flee the country.
Eritrea has so far not heeded this council's call to limit the national service to the statutory period of 18 months.
Our office also continues to receive credible reports of torture, arbitrary detention, inhumane detention conditions, enforced disappearances, and restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression of association, and of peaceful assembly.
And while 13 Eritreans were released in December 2025, after nearly 18 years of arbitrary detention, scores of politicians, journalists, human rights defenders, religious leaders, and believers and draft deserters continue to be held incommunicado detention.
Prolonged detention without trial remains the norm in Eritrea.
Civic space remains entirely closed.
There's no room for independent media, opposition activity, or peaceful civic organization.
The lack of organizational free election continues to undermine any form of debate and violates the rights of Eritreans to participate in public affairs.
Eritrea's youth, more than 45% of its population has no realistic opportunity of participating in decisions involving their future.
Madam Vice President, Eritrea has so far not undertaken any tangible steps to reform its legal and justice systems in line with international standards.
This situation hampers accountability, including for violations committed by the Eritrean defense forces in the context of a Tigay conflict.
Continuing tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia raise serious concerns about renewed conflict and its human rights consequences for the people.
Sustained and inclusive political dialogue with the support of the international community is critical for the promotion of mutual understanding, rebuilding trust, and advancing durable solutions for lasting peace in the region.
Excellencies, in this context, Eritrea's engagement with human rights mechanisms is all the more important.
We also call on Eritrea to submit overdue reports to the relevant UN human rights treaty bodies.
Our office calls on Eritrea to extend full cooperation to the International Human Rights mechanisms, including the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea.
At the conclusion of his mandate, allow me to acknowledge the important work undertaken by the Special Rapporteur, doctor Mohamed Abda Salmbabikir over the past six years and express our deep appreciation for his commitment, dedication, and persistence in reporting on the human rights situation in Eritrea.
Thank you.
I thank you.
I now give the floor to Her Excellency, miss Sophia Tsa Mariama, for her presentation.
You have the floor.
I thank you, Madam Vice President.
Eritrea rejects the report before the council as fundamentally flawed in its methodology, unsupported by independently verified information, and disconnected from the realities on the ground.
Its findings and conclusions therefore lack credibility and cannot serve as a reliable basis for informed deliberation or action by this council.
The methodology underpinning the report remains deeply problematic.
The Special Rapporteur relies heavily on anonymous and unverified sources while giving limited consideration to information from United Nations agencies and other institutions that have documented progress in health, education, food security, infrastructure, and socioeconomic development in Eritrea.
These realities receive little meaningful reflection in the report.
Instead, disproportionate weight is accorded to allegations advanced by a narrow circle of external actors whose claims are too often elevated to establish fact without adequate scrutiny or corroboration.
This results in a distorted analytical framework that cannot be reconciled with the principles of objectivity, balance, and evidentiary rigor that underpin credible UN reporting.
Eritrea has consistently responded to the allegations repeated in successive reports of this mandate and sees little value in revisiting the same unsubstantiated claims year after year.
Repetition does not constitute evidence, nor can it transform contested narratives into established fact.
Allow me briefly to address Eritrea's National Service Program, which continues to be singled out for criticism.
Established under Proclamation number 82 slash 1995, National Service is a sovereign institution designed to safeguard independence, territorial integrity, and national security while fostering social cohesion, self reliance, and resilience.
Its continuation beyond the statutory 18 months has been shaped by persistent external security threats and regional tensions.
Notably, a growing number of states, including several European countries, have revived, expanded, or are actively debating forms of national service and conscription in response to evolving security challenges.
Yet Eritrea continues to be denied the same sovereign prerogative afforded to others.
This program, including its duration and structure, remains a matter for Eritrea alone to determine in accordance with its national circumstances and security assessments.
Madam Vice President, the Special Rapporteur argues that his mandate is indispensable as the only international mechanism responsible for monitoring Eritrea.
This assertion disregards the existence of multiple UN mechanisms, including the UPR, treaty bodies, specialized agencies, and other intergovernmental processes to which all member states, including Eritrea, are regularly assessed.
Appointment by this council does not in itself establish independence.
Independence must be demonstrated through impartiality, methodological vigor, balanced analysis, and respect for the legitimate positions of member states.
Particularly troubling is the special rapporteur's criticism of African states that have exercised their sovereign right to reach conclusions different from his own.
A special rapporteur is mandated to assess a country situation, not to question the independent positions of member states within the council.
Yet while African states have been criticized for questioning the mandate, there's little reflection on the implications of coordinated positions by pen holders, including European Union members as reflected in successive voting patterns.
Divergent views are normal features of multilateral diplomacy.
And should be regarded as evidence of independent judgment and healthy scrutiny, not as a cause for concern.
Eritrea has maintained its sovereignty, preserve social stability, sustained public administration, and continued the delivery of essential services despite decades of conflict, sanctions, and external pressure.
While acknowledging the need for continued progress, this reality is fundamentally inconsistent with the picture repeatedly presented through this mandate.
When a country specific mechanism proceeds despite sustained questions regarding its selectivity, methodology, and balance, it risks shifting from a tool of engagement into one of entrenchment.
Rather than promoting constructive dialogue, it perpetuates a divisive process that has failed to command broad confidence amongst member states.
Eritrea therefore rejects both the report and the resolution before the council and reiterates its call for the termination of this mandate.
I thank you.
Thank you.
I now give the floor to Mr.
Ismail Musa for his presentation.
Madam Vice President, distinguished delegates, we thank the Special Reportur D Mohammed Babikir for his continued commitment to documenting and reporting on the human rights situation in Eritrea despite the government's persistent refusal to cooperate with the international human rights mechanisms.
Before I proceed, I wish to clarify that this intervention focuses specifically on patterns affecting the Eritrea Muslim population.
This is not to suggest exclusivity of suffered in Eritrea, rather, it is to highlight the specific dimension requiring attention within this council.
This intervention concerns a longstanding pattern of arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances affecting the Eratian Muslim population.
It affects religious scholars, community leaders, educators, students, and civilians, many of whom remain unaccounted for following their disappearances.
This pattern is not isolated in time, it spans decades.
In 1991, Shankar Morant was reportedly detained and subsequently disappeared.
This was followed by mass arrest in 1992 and again in December 1994, across multiple cities.
In 1995, Islamic education institutions were closed and their buildings confiscated, including Islamic endowment properties that has sustained religious education and community welfare.
1996-1997 disappearances expanded to traders, shopkeepers, and ordinary civilians.
In 1997, it was reported that over 150 sheriffs and scholars were extra judicially executed.
Religious practice has also reportedly been restricted in certain contexts, including limitations affecting five daily prayers and fasting during Ramadan for individuals in national service and military structures.
Access to Haji has also been affected by broader movement restrictions.
2002-2004, disappearances were reported in Tsai Guruj, and Amahajh different cities in the western part of Eritrea.
During the same period, land belonging to the grand mosque of Guruj was confiscated alongside islamic down properties.
This reflects a shift from targeting individuals to targeting communal infrastructure.
In current, the grand mosque has reportedly suffered structural damage over time, while repeated requests for maintenance and renovation were denied for many years, the building collapsed and permission for restoration continued to be refused.
Reflects a broader pattern of restriction, not only on religious practice, but on the maintenance of religious institutions.
In 2005, prominent cultural figures including Iris Muhammad Ali and Abdhalim Hamda were detained until today, their whereabouts remain unknown.
These individuals represented not only artistic expression, but cultural memory and identity within the Muslim population.
Following the 2013 FTA incident involving a group of military officers, reports indicating increased targeting of political and military figures within the state system.
Muslim officials who were ministers like Abdullah Jabber Ahmad Haj Ali disappeared from public life and their whereabouts remain unknown till today.
In 2017, Hajimusa head of Islamic institution was arrested following objections to state intervention in the administration of an Islamic school.
He died in detention in March 2018.
Following his arrest, colleagues were reportedly detained with some cases unresolved until today.
In July last year, 2025, in Genda, Shia Saban and Hassan Snei head of Islamic endowments were arbitrarily detained.
Their whereabouts remain unknown.
This pattern also extends to other Muslim populations, including the Af indigenous group.
Reports indicate that Afra communities in areas such as Asab the surrounding regions have experienced land confiscation and displacement, resulting in a long term displacement and the erosion of the presence of indigenous Muslim population in its historical land.
Many members of these communities now remain in refugee settings in Ethiopia, Yem, and Dibouti.
Following independence, large numbers of Eritrean refugees in Sudan, majority of whom were Muslims have remained in displacement.
Many continue to reside in refugee camps decades later with limited pathways for return.
Taken together, these cases demonstrate not isolated incidents, but a persistent and evolving pattern over more than three decades.
This pattern includes arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, institutional closure, confiscation of religious and communal property, restriction on religious infrastructure and displacement affecting multiple Muslim population.
The defining feature is not only targeting of individuals, by gradual weakening of the institution, leadership structure, and social systems through which the Muslim population sustained its religion, educational, and communal life.
In light of this, we call for sustained international scrutiny and meaningful steps towards accountability for all affected communities.
Thank you.
Thank you for your presentation.
The list of speakers is now closed.
I now invite interested delegations to ask questions to the presenters and to make comments on their statements.
The speaking time is 1 minute and 30 seconds for all.
I would like to recall that the duration of interactive dialogues is 1 hour and 30 minutes.
However, if time permits, additional delegations will be able to speak.
I will first give the floor to European Union.
Madam Vice President, the EU thanks the Special Rapporteur for his efforts in support of human rights in Eritrea over the past six years.
We continue to call on Eritrea to engage constructively and grant full access.
We welcome the release of some arbitrarily detained persons and note some progress on economic and social rights, including related to health and education.
We welcome the recent OHCHR capacity building and encourage Eritrea to make full use of such cooperation, including considering inviting further technical assistance and capacity building.
Nevertheless, we remain gravely concerned by the human rights situation in the country as reported by the Special Rapporteur.
This and persisting impunity underline the need to maintain monitoring and reporting on the situation and to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur.
Call on Eritrea to end the suppression of civil and political rights and in line with its international human rights obligations to uphold freedoms of expression and opinion, peaceful assembly and association, as well as freedom of religion or belief.
The EU calls on Eritrea to end the practice of indefinite national military service and arbitrary conscription.
The EU looks forward to enhancing dialogue with Eritrea.
The full statement will be uploaded on the extranet.
Special Rapporteur, how could states best support your successor in further advancing human rights in Eritrea? Thank you.
Thank you.
I will next give the floor to Iceland on behalf of a group of countries.
Madam Vice President, the Nordic Baltic States thank the Special Rapporteur for his report and voice our support for a renewal of the mandate.
We welcome Eritrea's recent engagement with OHCSR through training and other initiatives and note developments on some economic and social rights relating to essential health services.
While we acknowledge Eritrea's release of over 200 prisoners in the last year, the reports that the releases were on conditional and coercive grounds remain of concern, as well as the harsh and degrading conditions of prisoners in Eritrea.
Further, reports of continued arbitrary detentions and forced disappearances and widespread persecution of political opponents, journalists, and religious leaders are a matter of grave concern.
We are alarmed by reports of renewed forced recruitment, mass roundups, and increasing transnational repression.
We urge Eritrea to carry out legal and institutional reforms, release all those arbitrarily detained, and to provide information on the whereabouts of those subjected to enforced disappearances.
In this context, measures to address prevalent sexual and gender based violence are vital.
We continue to call on Eritrea to cooperate with international and regional human rights mechanisms, including by granting access for the Special Rapporteur to monitor the situation on the ground and to initiate dialogue.
I thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Tibuti.
Thank you, Madam Vice President Dibbouti hails the Special Rapporteur for this report, which sheds light on the prolonged detention practices and secret detention practices and forced enforced disappearances, as well as the detention conditions and ill treatment inflicted upon returned prisoners without consideration for fundamental processes of law.
The situation has increased concerns over the prisoners of war of Djibouti held secret and detention and where my delegation remains deeply concerned over the sort of the 13 Dibouti prisoners that have been held in secret detention, call upon partner Eritrea to provide information as well as to provide information to the ICRC and other partners.
It's time for Eritrea to provide information on these Dibou prisoners.
I Diboti believes firmly that the normalization of relations between Dibouti and Eritrea If it is supported by a significant commitment from Eritrea will contribute to resolving this matter of the Dibouti prisoners of war, Special Rapporteur, the High Commission, the Human Rights Council are encouraged regarding ongoing engagement with Eritrea regarding human rights and the incommunicado detainees of Dibouti.
Thank you very much.
Merci Buku, I will next give the floor to Lao People's Democratic Republic.
Madam Vice President, my delegation take note of the report of the Special Rapporteur.
The La PDR commends the positive step taken by Israel government for its constructive engagement with the HR and its human rights mechanism, including treaty bodies by accessing to the Convention on the Rights of persons with disability in 2025, as well as in fulfilling its obligation under the Relevance Convention by failing it to submit the initiative national report in 2026.
Second, my delegation reiterate that country specific mandate without consent of the concerned state are ineffective and do not contribute to any substantive outcome for the promotion and protection of human rights in any country.
We firmly believe that the promotion of the human rights should be based on genuine dialogue and cooperation and guided by the principle of imparity, objectivity, non selectivity, and non politicization, taking into account the need and priority of the concerned country.
I thank you Madam Vice President.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Cyprus.
Madam Vice President, Cyprus aligns with the EU statement and thanks to Special Rapporteur for presenting his report and for his continued efforts during his six year tenure.
We welcome Eritre's accession to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the reported 95% routine immunization rates among children.
At the same time, Cyprus remains deeply concerned by the findings contained in the report.
We are particularly alarmed by the continued use of indefinite military service and widespread arbitrary and incommunica detention.
While we welcome the release of a number of detainees during the reporting period, we call on Eritrea to release all individuals arbitrarily detained.
We further urge the authorities to cease and prevent acts on transnational repression targeting human rights defenders, journalists, and government critics outside of Eritrea.
According to UNHCR and as of December 2025, more than 679,000 Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers were recorded globally.
The figures highlights the persistent challenges that forced many Eritreans to seek refuge abroad, including indefinite national service, arbitrary detention, and restrictions on fundamental rights and freedoms.
Cyrus regrets Eritirs continued lack of cooperation with the mandate and calls on the government to engage constructively within the UN human rights system.
We also call on Eritrea to co hoperate with the Special Rapportur.
In light of Eritrea's persistent absence of cooperation, Mr.
Special Rapportur, what practical steps can member states take to amplify the findings of your report and further support the mandates work? I thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Luxembourg.
Madam Luis.
Madam Vice President, Luxembourg associate itself with a statement from the European Union.
We thank doctor Babque for the report and commitment throughout the mandate.
Mr.
Up Mr.
Special Raporteur, we very much thank you for your visit to Luxembourg in January 2026, the meetings that you held, with different stakeholders have underscored the severity of the situation of human rights in Eritrea as well as the cross border situation, this during your visit in Eritrea, we encourage the entire country, including those that are sheltering refugees and asylum seekers to cooperate with the mandate.
Your report underscores a worrisome situation marked by an inhumane penitentiary situation, forced disappearances, as well as ongoing practices such practices for an undetermined period of time.
There must be sanctuaries for faith.
We call for an end to these practices which go against the human rights of the Eritreans men and women alike.
We are particularly concerned over the ongoing presence of Eritrean troops and the serious human rights situation which fragilizes regional security.
Eritrea must and the withdrawal of these militaries should not be delayed any longer.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
Or to Venezuela.
Thank you.
Thank you, Madam Vice President.
Venezuela looks with concern upon the fact that this council continues to review the situation of Eritrea with a mandate that, in the opinion of this delegation is not in step with the principles of cooperation, constructive dialogue that should guide the work of the Human Rights Council.
Venezuela believes that the mandates established without the consent of the state concerned primarily undermdamental principles enshrined in the UN charter.
In particular, sovereignty and non interference in domestic matters.
Mechanisms of this manner applied disproportionately to countries of the global South, do not generate confidence necessary to address effectively and sustainably the promotion and protection of human rights.
Okay.
We take note of the efforts made for cooperation which Eritrea continues to make with this council, with the treaty bodies, and with the UPR.
However, we believe that this progress is not sufficiently reflected in a balanced manner in this report.
After a decade of this mandate, we believe that it is timely to reflect upon its efficacy and the need to privilege focuses that are based on mutual respect, genuine dialogue, and technical cooperation, these being more appropriate means of contributing to the promotion and protection of human rights.
I thank you kindly.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Ethiopia.
Thank you, Madam Vice President.
Ethiopia takes note of the report presented by the special reporter.
However, my delegation categorically rejects the references and allegations made concerning Ethiopia, which are speculative, unsubstantiated, and fall outside the mandate defined by the Human Rights Council resolution 59 slash one.
Ethiopia firmly rejects any assertion that it is contributing to regional escalation or instability, which is and it does not reflect Ethiopia's consistent and well documented calls for regional peace dialogue and de escalation.
Ethiopia also firmly rejects attempts to link its sovereign policy discussions, including matters relating to access with allegations of regional instability.
Such assertions are unfounded, selective, and fail to reflect Ethiopia's consistent commitment to peaceful dialogue and regional cooperation.
With regard to refugees, Ethiopia strongly rejects the blanket and unfounded allegations concerning the treatment of refugees within its territory.
Ethiopia is a long standing host to over 1 million refugees, including those from the concerned country and continue to uphold its international obligations.
Ethiopia further rejects any suggestion of a policy of refument or aforesaid return.
Ethiopia applies its immigration and security regulations in line with international standards and due process.
We request that our objection to unfounded references be duly recorded and we call on the Special Reporter to discharge his mandate.
I thank you.
Next, I give the floor to South Sudan.
Madam Vice President, South Sudan takes note of the Special Reporter's report on the situation right in Eritrea.
We reiterate our steadfast belief that sustainable progress in the field of human rights is best achieved through constructive dialogue and cooperation, respect of sovereignty and non interference in the internal affairs of the state.
South Sudan recognizes and commend the efforts undertaken by Eritrea to advance its national development priorities and to strengthen social services and institution building as well as to safeguard the human rights of its people despite challenges including imposition of unilateral sanctions.
This is the 14th year of the mandate of the situation of human rights in Eria and based on the efforts of rationalization and efficiency of the Human Rights Council, in addition to the current financial constance, we are of the view that it is high time to re evaluate mandates who are nearing two decades and country specific mandates in general.
I thank you, Madam Vice President.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Egypt.
Thank you, Madam Vice President.
We welcome the efforts exerted by the Eritrean government to promote and protect human rights despite the challenges it is facing.
We stress its steadfast position regarding that the human rights mechanisms have to be based on the consent of the country concerned.
And we urge the Council to establish a constructive dialogue with the countries concerned and to provide technical assistance and capacity building based on the request of the countries concerned and in accordance with its need.
We stress Egypt's commitment to the principle of non refoulement and this is in accordance with the UN Convention on refugees.
We host a large number of Eritrean and other refugees for decades, despite the strain it places on our limited budget and we would like to stress the national efforts that aim at enhancing human rights for refugees and asylum seekers on Egyptian land, which has been culminated with the law on refugees in December 2024.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Philippines.
Thank you, Madam Vice President.
The advancement of human rights is a continuing multi layered endeavor.
In situations where political security challenges and capacity constraints are significant, the process becomes even more complex.
Yet nations persevere because the enjoyment of human rights is an inextinguishable aspiration.
External interference, however, well intentioned, often complicates rather than facilitates the pursuit of meaningful chains on the ground.
This consideration has informed the PDPs position on country specific mandates that are often resource intensive but with debatable impact on the ground.
The role of the international community, including this council is to help empower duty bearers meet their obligations while respecting state sovereignty and the agency of the people they represent.
Genuine dialogue and cooperation through capacity building, therefore offer the best prospects For opening pathways to lasting human rights progress, the Philippe attaches particular importance to the cooperative partnership embodied in the UN Eritrea, sustainable development cooperation.
We encourage all stakeholders to support its continued implementation.
At the time of acute resource constraints and growing pressures on multilateral institutions, the prudent stewardship of any resources is imperative.
Such stewardship is best served by approaches that are cooperative, responsive, and cost efficient.
I thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Somalia.
The Federal Republic of Somalia aligns itself with the statement delivered by the Africa Group.
Somalia takes note of the report presented and appreciates the opportunity for this dialogue.
We recognize the efforts made by the government of Eritrea to advance national development, strengthen state institutions, and improve the socioeconomic well being of its people.
We believe that sustainable progress in the promotion and protection of human rights is best achieved through constructive engagement, dialogue, technical cooperation, and capacity building in full respect of national ownership and national priorities.
In this regard, we encourage the international community to continue supporting Eritrea through technical assistance, institutional strengthening, the sharing of expertise aimed at enhancing national capacities.
Somaliia further encourages the government of Alita to continue its efforts towards advancing human rights, strengthening institutions, and promoting inclusive development for the benefit of all its people.
We reiterate that cooperation, partnership, mutual respect, and support for nationally led efforts provide the most effective path towards sustainable progress in the fields of human rights and development.
I thank you, Mr.
President.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Sudan.
Thank you, Madam Vice President.
We have taken notes of the content of the report on the human rights situation in Eritrea and related recommendations based on which the Human Rights Council was established to promote and protect human rights away from politicization, selectivity, and double standards.
We stress the right of countries to choose the policies that meet its obligations and specificities and priorities.
Okay.
We encourage Eritrea to continue exerting efforts to promote and protect human rights, including the right to development, improving living standards, education, and the protection of vulnerable groups.
We also commend its signing of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2024, as well as the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
We commend its vital and active engagement with the UPR as well.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Turka.
Thank you, Madam Vice President.
We take note of the report and we thank Eritrea for its statements.
Ensuring peace, stability, and regional integration remain at the core of Turkey's policy towards the Horn of Africa.
We believe that an encouraging approach will be more conducive to strengthening our engagement with the region.
Building on our longstanding historical and cultural ties with the countries of the region, including Eritrea, we continue to further improve bilateral cooperation with the states in the region.
Members of the international community, we should develop an appreciation of the peculiar circumstances of Eritrea, which has devoted its efforts and resources to the establishment of a functional state and consolidation of a cohesive society since its independence.
We follow Eritrea's efforts to improve human rights and we believe that these efforts should be encouraged by the international community.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Mali.
Thank you, Vice President.
Mali, thanks to the Special Reporter for presenting the report on the human rights situation in Eritrea.
The report is essentially directed against the government.
We congratulate Eritrea on the dynamic implementation process for UPR recommendations with involvement by various stakeholders.
We point out that over 14 years ago, the Human Rights Council established a mandate to monitor human rights in Eritrea without the government's agreement, which is a lot of resources, an institutional crisis marked by liquidity crisis facing the United Nations and OHCHR in particular.
Would it not be time perhaps to reassess in detail the management of certain mandates, including the special rapporteur on the human rights Tria, whose implementation will be reaching 20 years soon and which does not have any support from the concerned country.
Thank you.
Mercy, next, I give the floor to Yemen.
Mr.
President, the Yemeni Republic thanks the Special Rapporteur for the presentation of his report.
The quality of sounds that prohibits us interpreters from continuing our work.
Hair, Alagvizen Hasa, Smisen Alpha family of N.
With blades, a arteria and mania.
Webin artery, mia, what is S, what is the heart, Schran arose.
Thank you, and we apologize that due to the poor sound quality, there was no translation.
Next, I give the floor to Russian Federation.
Madam Vice President, we note Eritrea's authorities efforts to improve the human rights situation.
We positively assess the limitations and application of the death penalty by the government and efforts to ensure equal access by citizens to education and health care and trade union activities.
Just Given the complex socioeconomic situation, Russia is providing assistance in gradual normalization of the situation and improving living standards, improving trade and economic connections, and developing cooperation and education, you might say in other areas.
We call on other countries to follow Russia's example.
It is important to move away from external political pressure on Eritrea, including through human rights topics and therefore categorically oppose the practice of regular renewal of the mandate of country special mandates.
This mandate for 14 years has existed showing us ineffectiveness.
We believe that assessing situation in Eritrea requires objectivity and a non politicized approach and interaction with the Eritrea must be on the basis of respect for sovereignty and national interests.
The Council of Special Procedures and the Mechanisms must work together in the field of promotion and protection of human rights and not impose on Eritrea its approaches in this area.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Thank you, Madam Vice President, the DPRK delegation opposes and rejects any practice of selectively targeting sovereign states and any attempt to interfere in their internal affairs under the pretext of human rights.
We maintain that the debates founded on prejudice and driven by political motives neither contribute to nor advance the gone promotion and protection of human rights.
On the contrary, such practices are inherently counterproductive, undermined trust and cooperation among states.
They should therefore be brought to an end without delay.
The genuine efforts and commitment demonstrated by the government of Eritrea in the promotion and protection of human rights deserve objective assessment, due recognition, and continued encouragement rather than politically motivated criticism and pressure.
HRC and OHCHR must strictly adhere to the principles of objectivity, impartiality, and non selectivity.
They should firmly reject politicization double standards and the practice of naming and shaming while promoting dialogue and cooperation based on mutual respect and sovereign equality.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to China.
Fu Jin Yang Jin Jing Chang, Hwang, Geng Xuan Hwang in, Chang a G.
The Jin ang hug audited the Qiang Xa, Chang in, Yan gang Yuguang.
Forcing the extension of the mandate of the relevant country specific mechanism can only intensify confrontation, reduce efficiency and waste resources.
China recognizes the efforts made by the government in promoting protecting human rights and its achievements, respects the path for national development independently chosen by the Eritrean people and firmly supports Eritre's efforts to safeguard its sovereignty security and development interests.
China calls on the Human Rights Council to terminate this country specific mechanism, urges relevant parties to stop interfering in Eritrea's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights and create a favorable condition for Eritrea to promote and protect human rights.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
The UK thanks the Special Rapporteur for his updates and his work throughout his tenure.
We are disappointed that the Eritrean government continues to refuse to engage with this mandate.
We welcome the release of some of those held in arbitrary detention for political or religious reasons.
However, many more remain detained in inhumane conditions and we encourage the Eritrean government to extend these releases.
The system of indefinite national service has a suffocating impact on the lives of Eritreans, especially young people, and has contributed to mass immigration, including to the UK.
It requires urgent reform.
We support the report's recommendations, including the calls for the implementation of Eritrea's Constitution.
Special Rapporteur, as you reflect on the past six years of your tenure, where do you see the most realistic opportunities for progress as you hopefully hand the baton to the successor? Thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Belarus.
Bugs.
Thank you, Madam Vice President.
We once more emphasize that country mandates adopted by the Human Rights Council without the approval of affected countries, do not affect the human rights situation on the ground, but they do absorb massive resources.
Given the financial crisis in the UN, it is crucial to stop this practice of creating and renewing the work of these mechanisms, 14 years of mandate in Eritrea.
This follows the pattern of confrontation and provision of distorted reports on the country's situation, undermining any possibility for mutually respectful non politicized dialogue.
Eritrea is actively working on human rights, including working with the UPR and the treaty bodies in keeping with its national priorities.
Any attempts to impose approaches from outside to human rights Cooperation undermines trust and international partnerships.
Promotion and support of true cooperation are preconditions for achieving progress on human rights on the ground.
Productive dialogue is possible only if trust is restored between the government and the human rights mechanisms with respect for sovereignty.
I thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Ukraine.
Then, Madam Vice President, Ukraine remains deeply concerned by the continued deterioration of the human rights situation in Eritrea and the absence of meaningful cooperation with international human rights mechanisms.
Reports continue to indicate persistent and systemic human rights violations, including arbitrary detention and forced disappearances, restrictions on fundamental freedoms, sexual and gender based violence.
We remain particularly concerned by the erosion of the rule of law and the continued militarization of society, including through the system of indefinite international service, which affects access to education, employment, freedom of movement, family life, and continues to drive displacement.
Ukraine regrets Eritrea's continued attempts to undermine international scrutiny instead of engaging constructively with the Human Rights Council and implementing its recommendations.
We strongly condemn Eritrea's continued alignment with states responsible for grave violations of international law, including its support for the Russian Federation's war aggression against Ukraine, which further undermines international peace and security.
We believe that continued monitoring and accountability remain essential, particularly where violations stem from political choices rather than capacity constraints.
Mr.
Special Rapporteur, in light of Eritrea's continued non cooperation, What additional measures could strengthen accountability and enhance the protection of Eritrean civilians and refugees? Thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Sri Lanka.
Madam Vice President, Sri Lanka welcomes the continued efforts by Eritrea to advance the full enjoyment of human rights through nationally owned, people centered, and inclusive development, particularly in the areas of education, health, social protection, and sustainable development.
We remain convinced that the promotion and protection of human rights are best advanced through mutual respect and cooperation, guided by genuine dialogue, rooted in sovereign equality, respect for territorial integrity, and non interference in a country's internal affairs.
This constitutes the bedrock of multilateralism.
Therefore, Sri Lanka reaffirms that this council must be guided by the principles of universality, objectivity, and non selectivity in its consideration of human rights issues and the elimination of double standards and politicization.
Madam Vice President, in no uncertain terms, we oppose country specific initiatives that do not enjoy the support of the country concerned as they are confrontational, counterproductive, and undermine the spirit of cooperation required in promoting and protecting human rights.
Such initiatives, especially in the absence of a sunset clause, continues to drain scarce resources, particularly at a time of severe financial constraints.
This must be discouraged while no benefits are achieved by the country concerned.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Saudi Arabia.
Thank you, Vice President.
My country notes the report, we welcome the efforts made by Eritrea working with the international mechanisms, including ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Eritrea faces a number of challenges.
My country points to the importance of constructive dialogue with the concerned country to ensure development in the protection of human rights.
The international community must support Eritrea.
In order to consolidate its capacities and ensure the protection of human rights.
In conclusion, we believe that progress requires cooperation with the concerned country, given the inversility and objectivity of issues related to human rights.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Angola.
Thank you, Madam Vice President.
Angola, thanks to Special Rapporteur for the presentation of his report.
Angola remains firmly committed to an approach to human rights that prioritize constructive cooperation, respectful dialogue, and support to states in their reform efforts.
It is under such conditions that United Nations human rights mechanisms can effectively contribute to strengthening national capacities and consolidating the rule of law.
The 14th tint here of the mandate on it today invite us to reflect on the effectiveness and sustainability of country specific mandates in general, particularly those that have operated for well over a decade without the support of the concerned state.
Such reflection, especially relevant in the current context of budgetary constraints facing our organization, which requires that limited resources be directed towards action capable of generating tangible and lasting impact.
We encourage ETA to deepen its engagement with this council and its mechanisms, and we urge the international community to support EDTA through technical assistance and capacity building programs tailored to its specific needs and national priorities in conclusion, Angola reaffirms its support for a balanced and non politicized approach that can contribute to sustainable progress and to the well being of all Eli citizens.
We reiterate our commitment to the principles of impartiality, objectivity, respect for sovereignty, and.
Next, I give the floor to Cuba.
Or Vice President Cuba regrets that once more, this council is devoting valuable time and major financial and human resources to an exercise that seeks to interfere in ritory's affairs, politicized measures imposed since 2012.
This mechanism violates the charters principles including respect for sovereignty and non interference in internal affairs of states.
The only effective way to promote human rights in any country is through respectful dialogue and genuine cooperation based on impartiality, objectivity, mutual respect and non politicization.
We reiterate our call to set aside the obsolete and effective punitive practices of this Council against countries of the South.
The first step to a new approach on Eritrea would be an immediate stop of the unilateral coercive measures which have applied to this country to the detriment of its people's human rights, I think.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Iran.
Thank you, Madam Vice President.
The Islamic Republic of Iran retreates principled position regarding country specific mandate and their selective and politicized nature.
In this regard, we express our objection to the continuation of the mandate of Special Rapporteur on Eritrea.
This year marks the 14th year of this mandate.
Such prolonged scrutiny raises serious concern regarding the effectiveness, objectivity, and added value of country specific mechanisms that continue for more than a decade without the consent of concerned state.
Reaffirmed the international human rights cooperation must be based on the principles of sovereignty, impartiality, non selectivity, and constructive dialogue and consent of the state concerned.
In this regard, Iran calls for a fundamental review of this mandate and for greater emphasis on the Dog technical cooperation and nationally owned human rights process.
I thank you, Madam Vice President.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Burkina Faso.
Burkina Faso is absent.
Next, I give the floor to Zimbabwe.
Madam Vice President, Zimbabwe takes note of the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation in Eritrea.
We commend Eritrea's commitment to addressing the social and economic needs as well as safeguarding the human rights of its people and for its continued engagement with the Human Rights Council mechanisms.
We deplore the undue pressure that continues to be exerted on Eritrea.
The vilification and politicization of Eritrea's human rights situation undermines the country's efforts to deliver on its national obligations and causes untold suffering to its citizens.
No country has a perfect human rights record.
The selective imposition of country specific mechanisms on targeted countries undermines the Council's core principle of objectivity, non selectivity, and constructive dialogue.
We therefore urge the Human Rights Council to engage in dialogue and cooperation with Eritrea, supporting its efforts to develop its capacities and meet its human rights obligations.
We call for the lifting of the unilateral coercive measures imposed on Eritrea as they obstruct the realization of human rights.
I thank you, Madam Vice President.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Switzerland.
Max, Madame Thank you, Vice President of Switzerland.
Thanks, the Special Rapporteur for the update.
We're concerned by the human rights situation in Eritrea and welcome the Special Rapporteur on the negative effects of UCMs visit to the country.
We encourage Eritrea to continue its engagement with the human rights mechanisms and to continue taking up technical cooperation.
This makes it possible to focus on the reduction, for example, in FGM Country access would certainly help you to exercise your mandate, Special Rapporteur.
We share the concerns regarding the reform of the indeterminate duration of national service and the effects of forced conscripttion on persons and their families.
While we welcome the freeing last year of 13 people held for over 18 years, we regret the arbitrary detentions, which are lengthy and the forced disappearances, we call for the immediate unconditional freeing of all persons who are arbitrarily detained, including for religious reasons.
Special Rapporteur Can the Council and its mechanisms strengthen the interaction with Eritrea on long term detentions and allow families to know about what has happened to them and where they're held? Thank you.
Mercy next, I give the floor to Burundi.
Thank you, Vice President Burunddi notes the report presented on Eritrea and recalls again that an imposed country mandate not accepted by the concerned country always turns out to be counterproductive and does not allow progress on human rights, which is the main mandate of this council.
We believe firmly in universality, objectivity, non selectivity in addressing human rights issues.
And are therefore concerned at the politicization and double standards that affect the objectivity of the work of this council.
We recognize the merit of the EPR, which has already done solid work.
This is a unique exercise which states undergo voluntarily to be evaluated by their peers.
We note the efforts already made by Eritrea's government to consolidate the human rights situation, including its constructive interaction with the EPR and the treaty bodies.
My delegation reiterates the need for an objective, constructive approach to analysis of developments in human rights in Eritrea and calls on the international committee to recognize the commitment of the government and support its efforts.
Thank you.
Mercy, next, I give the floor to Ireland.
Ireland aligns with the statement of the EU and thanks the Special Rapporteur for his update.
We notice some positive progress on the release of several arbitrarily detained persons and call on the government of Eritrea to continue with these releases and to fully comply with its international human rights obligations.
However, Ireland remains deeply concerned by the overall human rights situation in Eritrea as outlined by the Special Rapporteur, in particular, the targeting of human rights defenders, journalists, and members of Eritrean civil society, exercising their fundamental right to freedom of opinion and expression, both at home and abroad.
Human rights violations and abuses in connection with the continued practice of obligatory and indefinite national service, including the forced conscription of children are of particular concern.
We once again call on Eritrea to immediately end these practices and to respect the political and civil rights of its citizens.
We strongly condemn the obstruction by the government of Eritrea of the important work of the Special Rapporteur.
It is imperative that we see an improved human rights situation in Eritrea and the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapportoiur would be an important step forward in this regard.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Pakistan.
Vice President, Pakistan's principal position on country specific mandates remains consistent.
The consent of the country concerned and the principles of cooperation and genuine dialogue remains central to strengthening the capacity of member states to comply with their human rights obligations and improve the human rights situation on the ground.
My delegation has noted Eritrea's constructive engagement with this council and working groups, including the Universal Periodic Review, as well as its recent ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
This approach should be encouraged, maintained, and further strengthened, consistent with the Eritrean government's national priorities and human rights obligations.
The country's progress, particularly in healthcare and education, merit this council's appreciation.
Madam Vice President, this council's goal of universal respect for and enjoyment of all human rights by all is best served by uphold the principles enshrined in the IB package.
Amidst mounting concern about the efficiency and effectiveness of this council, it is all the more important to uphold impartiality, objectivity and non selectivity, constructive international dialogue and cooperation.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Gambia.
Madam Vice President, the Gambia thanks the special apporti and takes note of his report.
The Human Rights Council is a critical platform for fostering constructive engagement with states with a view to respond to human rights concerns in our countries.
We recognize that no state has a perfect human rights record and there is always a room for improvement.
Therefore, the Gambe encourages the government of Eritrea to strengthen its engagement with the Human Rights Council and its mechanisms with a view to addressing the areas identified for redress in the report.
In this regard, the Gambe welcomes the recent release of long held detainees and encourages the government of Eritrea to step up its efforts and to do more, including by enhancing its cooperation with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
We note with concern that since the establishment of the mandate of the S Repire, its relationship with the country concerned leaves much to be desired.
Accordingly, we implore on the council to find innovative avenues of dialogue and cooperation with Eritrea through appropriate technical assistance and capacity building initiatives.
Finally, as the special Rapporteur concludes his tenure, the Gmb expresses its appreciation for his service and looks forward to the work of his successor.
Mr.
Special Rapporteur, what practical technical assistance would you recommend to strengthen It's cooperation with the Council and OHCHR building on the recent release of detainees? I thank you.
I thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Dominican Republic.
Thank you very much, Madam Vice President, the Dominican Public thanks the Sci Rportur for the presentation of the report, and we thank Special Rapporteur for the efforts aimed at keeping the international attention on the situation which continues to be a source of concern.
We see with concern information on the restrictions on the enjoyment of fundamental freedoms and the difficulties faced by numerous sectors of the population when it comes to the full enjoyment of their human rights.
This includes challenges in the area of free speech, association, religion, and participation in public affairs.
We believe that the promotion, protection of human rights requires ongoing commitment to constructive dialogue, international cooperation, and national capacity building.
We encourage the Eritrean authorities to broaden cooperation with the human rights mechanisms of the UN.
This includes the special procedures and also to strengthen information exchange to generate confidence and to promote concrete progress.
We also reiterate the importance of strengthening rule of law guaranteeing fundamental freedoms, improving access to justice, and promoting an active and inclusive civil society.
The Dominican Republic, again reiterates its support for the cooperation and technical assistance efforts that contribute to tangible progress for the Eritrean people.
Thank you very much, Madam Vice President.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Kenya.
Madam Vice President.
Kenya notes with encouragement a number of positive developments during the reporting period, including Eritrea's accession to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the release of several long term detainees and its willingness to engage with the relevant treaty bodies reporting processes.
These developments demonstrate the value of dialogue and engagement and provide a foundation upon which further progress can be built.
Kenya recognizes that challenges remain and encourages Eritrea to continue its efforts towards implementation of its international human rights obligations, including through enhanced dialogue with relevant human rights mechanisms and call for their constructive engagement with the concerned state.
We further underscore the importance of technical assistance and capacity building tailored to national priorities and circumstances as effective tools for supporting sustainable progress in promotion and protection of internal human rights.
Kenya remains committed to supporting constructive, nationally owned engagement and cooperation aimed at advancing the human rights and well being of all Eritreans.
I thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Uganda.
Thank you, Madam Vice President.
We align with the statement of the applicant group.
At the outset, we underline the importance of the Human Rights Council maintaining a constructive, non confrontational, non politicized, and non selective dialogue with all states.
14 years later, Madam Vice President, since the creation of this mandate on Eritrea without the support of the government, and yet it has hardly registered any meaningful outcomes.
To the contrary, it has worsened and entrenched polarization and mistrust of this council.
While we appreciate the importance for a window of engagement, we underline that the continuation of this mandate without the support of the government narrows the window for constructive engagement with the government of Eritrea to ensure lasting promotion and protection of human rights in the country.
Uganda therefore implores this council to reassess the value of continuing to renew this mandate amid this the current liquidity crisis and prioritize dialogue and engagement with the government of Eritrea to pave a path to sustainable promotion and protection of human rights in the country.
I thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Camera.
Thank you, Madam Vice President Cameron.
Thanks to the Special Rapporteur for the report.
We take note of the concerns expressed regarding, among other things, matters tied to long lasting detentions and the situation of Eritrean refugees in certain host countries.
We believe that these matters merit ongoing attention from the international community with respect for sovereignty for the state concerned and in step with the principles of cooperation and shared responsibility.
My country remains attached, Madam Vice President, to an approach on human rights that is based on constructive cooperation, respectful dialogue, and support of states in their reform efforts.
It is this condition that the international mechanisms can effectively contribute to capacity building and consolidation of rule of law.
Cameroon continues to believe that all improvement or lasting improvement in the situation of human rights hinges on an inclusive interaction with the authorities concerned with the spirit of mutual trust.
It is this that we encourage the High Commissioner and the competent mechanisms to continue their efforts to favor dialogue and support.
At the same time, we would like to underscore the importance of encouraging the trade authorities to respond to the challenges that they have faced to continue to be committed to the commitments to the UN and other regional mechanisms as well as in the framework of the recommendations in the UPR.
We are faithful to the principles of dialogue and international solidarity and cooperation.
We affirm our support and approach for a balanced engagement with the country.
Thank you.
And to our list of speakers for national human rights institutions and non governmental organizations.
I first give the floor to Christian solidarity worldwide.
Thank you, Madam Vice President.
CSW thanks the Special Rapporteur for his comprehensive report and for his unwavering dedication to improving the plight of the Eritrean people during his tenure.
We share the rapporteur's concern regarding widespread systematic and critically severe arbitrary detentions and enforced disappearances which continue despite the recent series of prisoner releases.
We urge member states not to be misled by the well timed semblances of progress.
Credible reports indicate that more than 10,000 people are still held arbitrarily in over 300 sites nationwide enduring unacceptable conditions.
Moreover, while an estimated 200 evangelical Christians were released in late 2025, prior to their releases, most were made to sign documents renouncing their denominational affiliations and assuming responsibility for any punishment that would ensue if they negage.
The precondition compounded pre existing severe curtailments of their rights to freedom of religion, belief, assembly, and association.
It is lamentable that ten years after the Commission of Inquiry's final report, the international crimes it identified persist.
CSW calls on Eritrea to release immediately and unconditionally all who are detained arbitrarily and to disclose the fate and whereabouts of the disappeared.
We also call on this council to support a strong resolution extending the mandate of the Special Rapporteur, which remains critical as it is the sole independent international mechanism dedicated to monitoring Eritrea's dire human rights crisis.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to youth Parliament for SDG.
President, we thank the Special Rapporteur for her report on the situation of human rights in Eritrea.
Despite repeated calls by the international community, Eritreans continue to face serious human rights violations, including arbitrary detentions, indefinite national service, restriction on freedom of expression, and the absence of democratic institutions and independent civil society.
We are also concerned about the role played by external actors whose politically, military, and economic engagement may contribute to sustaining conditions that enable human rights violations and impunity.
In this regard, we urge all states, including the United Arab Emigates to ensure that their cooperations and regional involvement do not contribute directly or indirectly to violations of international human rights standards.
We call on the government of Eritrea to cooperate fully with UN human rights mechanisms and to implement the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur.
We further encourage the Human Rights Council to maintain close examinations of the situation and to support efforts aimed at accountability, justice, and the protection of fundamental rights of Eritrean people.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Conscience and Peace Tax International.
Madam Vice President, Conscience and Peace Tax International, CPTI thanks the Special Rapporteur for his report and continued work on the situation of the human rights in Eritrea.
CPTI highlights the ongoing lack of a domestic legal framework for conscientious objectors to military service.
The absence of alternative civilian service forces individuals who object to military service based on their deeply held beliefs into positions of extreme vulnerability, frequently leading to prolonged repetitive detentions without charge and other human rights violations.
Furthermore, Eritrea's transnational 2% diaspora tax on citizens abroad is mandated with the threat of withholding essential consular services, including access to passports and effective citizenship.
For conscientious objectors, this creates an unconscionable dilemma as these funds directly support the military apparatus rather than peace building.
CPTI seconds the recommendation of the Special Rapporteur that Eritrea implement the right to conscientious objection to military service, establish an alternative civilian program which must be compatible with international human rights standards.
We call for this to happen immediately.
We also urge all member states to ensure robust informed asylum and international protection for individuals fleeing Eritrea on grounds of conscientious objection to military service.
Thank you, Madam Vice President.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Vile Campaign.
Thank you, Madam Vice President.
Jubilee campaign and Human Rights Concern Eritrea, thank the panelists for their reports.
Ten years ago, the Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in Eritrea found widespread and systematic violations, some of which may amount to crimes against humanity.
A decade later, almost none of its recommendations have been implemented.
The suffering of the Eritrean people continues and the human rights situation remains unchanged.
Eritreans continue to be denied their civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights.
Thousands remain arbitrarily detained while indefinite national service continues to subject generations to forced labor and deprives them of their dignity and future.
Ten years of continuing impunity demonstrate that international scrutiny remains essential.
We therefore urge this council to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur and reject any attempts to end these vital mechanisms.
We also thank doctor Babikre for his years of dedicated for six years of dedicated services and his steadyfast commitment to monitoring the human rights situation in Eritrea despite the government's continued refusal to grant him access to the country.
The Eritrean people have waited too long for justice.
This council must stand with them and ensure that their voices are not silenced.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Human Rights Watch.
Mr.
President, we thank the Special Rapporteur for his latest report.
As it highlights, Eritrea's policy of indefinite national service continues to track generations of citizens in abusive conditions amounting to forced labor, while the government still punishes draft evaders and their families.
The government has dismantled independent media and unlawfully detained perceived critics, religious leaders, and journalists, often in Cumuncao, some for years, even decades with many facing torture.
Despite recent releases, the UN estimates that over 10,000 people remain arbitrarily detained.
This reality drives hundreds of thousands into exile while asylum space and protection for Eritreans in neighboring countries has shrunk dramatically.
Severe restrictions on civic space extend beyond Eritrea's borders through severe transnational repression as the Special part report shows.
Abuses by the Eritrean forces in Ethiopia's particular region have continued with impunity.
The government has systematically ignored recommendations by international and regional rights mechanisms to address these concerns.
The mandate of the Special Rapporteur remains a lifeline, ensuring a much needed sustained spotlight on ongoing abuses and documentation that offers hope to victims and may support future accountability.
We urge members of this council to support its full renewal and to request further guidance from the Special Rapporteur on measures to advance accountability for past and ongoing grave abuses.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to East and Horn of Africa Defenders project.
Madam Vice President, Mr.
Special Rapporter, dear panelists, ten years ago, the COI on Eritrea found that it had reasonable grounds to believe that crimes against humanity had been and continued to be committed in the country.
Ten years on, no adequate follow up has been mandated and no Eritrean official has been held accountable.
Eritrea has slipped down the list of priorities yet continued scrutiny remains essential.
The Special Rapporter's mandate is a lifeline for Eritreans.
In a letter, over 30 NGOs urged states to support a resolution extending his mandate and requesting an assessment of available pathways to justice and accountability.
Enhance attention to Eritrea and deter attempts to terminate expert mechanisms like the Eritrean government's 2025 draft resolution roundly defeated by vote, we suggest three more things.
One, strengthen the resolution by going beyond a technical rollover, two, reinstate Eritrea debates at match sessions, and three, shed light on transnational repression, such attacks against the diaspora.
Doctor Babikre, we salute your work in support of the Eritrean people's rights and dignity.
As of 2026, what options and avenues for accountability exist for Eritrean victims, survivors and their families.
I thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Amnesty International.
Madam Vice President, we welcome the report of the Special Reporter and call on this council to support the continuation of the mandate.
A decade after the Commission of Inquirys finding that there has been no progress towards accountability.
The Eritrean government has continuously ignored recommendations of human rights mechanisms.
While we note that some detainees have been released recently, this does not represent any significant reform by the government.
We are deeply concerned by the Special Reporter's findings that there still are reasonable grounds to believe that crimes against humanity are ongoing in Eritrea.
The government continues its practice of widespread and systematic human rights violations, including the use of enforced disappearances and arbitrary detention, which extends to religious leaders and communities and further undermines the freedom of religion or belief.
The Special Reporter's findings that these gross violations also encompass torture and other ill treatment and severe restrictions on civic space is concerning.
Eritrean refugees have faced multiple challenges, including registration in Kenya and Uganda.
We are also alarmed by the alarm that Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia are trapped between neglect and the risk of armed attack as tensions between the two countries continue to rise.
Ethiopian authorities should protect Eritrean refugees.
The Special Reporter's report underscores the growing use of cross border violations by Eritrean authorities, including surveillance, coercion through consular services, and reprisals against diaspora communities.
We ask the special reporter to elaborate on the steps this council and its member states should take to respond to this.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to Civicus World Alliance for citizen participation.
Madam Vice President, Civicus appreciates the work of the Special Rapporteur in his latest report.
Civic space in Eritrea remains entirely closed, marked by suppression of the freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly, and the right to participate in public affairs.
Civic rights are effectively nonexistent as they are only granted upon the government's approval.
In the past year, Eritrean authorities have persistently suppressed fundamental rights and escalated their use of unlawful detentions.
Particularly express concerns around the widespread use of arbitrary arrest and incommunicado detention as a systematic tool of intimidation to suppress Eritrean citizens, including journalists.
Eritrea retained its positions as the last country for press freedom globally and the largest jailer of journalists in Africa.
16 journalists are imprisoned for at least two decades without charge, trial, or access to due process.
Furthermore, freedom of association is severely restricted and independent CSOs are enabled to operate in the country as they are heavily censored and impose onerous reporting guidelines.
In light of the ongoing human rights violations and acts of transnational repression, we urge the Council to highlight and condemn the grave human rights violations committed against civic groups at home and abroad.
We also call on this council to adopt a resolution extending the mandate of the Special Rapporteur and urge Eritrea to cooperate fully with the mandate.
We thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I give the floor to United Nations Association of China.
Madam Vice President, we recognize Retreats continued efforts to promote national development and strengthen access to essential services for its population.
Progress in areas such as healthcare, education, and water access has improved the lives of the population and supported the resilience of communities across the country.
These achievements exemplify every tree's commitment to sustainable development.
We also note every tree's modest contribution to regional stability and its engagement with partners in areas of peace development and cooperation.
Continued dialogue and constructive engagement with UN mechanisms can help build mutual understanding and support sustainable progress.
Our organization believes that development, stability, and the well being of citizens are the necessary foundations for the realization of human rights.
We encourage all stakeholders to pursue cooperation grounded in respect, dialogue, and partnership with the shared objective of improving the lives of the Eritrean people.
We further encourage continued efforts that enhance opportunities for young people.
Strengthen community participation and advanced social and economic development throughout the country.
Constructive engagement and cooperation remain the most effective path towards lasting progress.
We stand ready to support initiatives that contribute to the prosperity, dignity, and well being of all ats.
I thank you.
Thank you.
This was the last speaker on my list and I now give the floor to the presenters for their concluding remarks.
You have 3 minutes each.
F I turn to civil society representative, Mr.
Ismail Musa.
You have the floor.
Madam Vice President, having listed some of the evidence and in light of the report of the Special Rapporteur, it's important to recognize that the issues before us are not merely a collection of individual cases.
It is a cumulative impact of decades of disappearance, detention, displacement, and restrictions on the ability of the Eritrean people to have a dignified life.
The Eritrean youth are trapped in an open ended modern slavery and free forced labor under the National Service banner.
As for the Muslim population, which was the focus of my intervention, this posed restrictions on its ability to preserve its institutions, educate its children, practice its faith and faith and practice and participate fully in public life.
The story of the Eritrean Muslim population is part of the struggle of the Etan people and it's not only a story of those who forcibly disappeared.
It's also the story of families who have spent decades waiting for answers.
It's the story of the children who grew up without knowing their fathers because of the disappearance, because they disappeared before they were born.
It is the story of scholars, educators, artists, community leaders, and ordinary citizens whose absence continues to be felt by the entire communities.
Enforced disappearance is amongst the gravest violations of human rights because it extends suffering beyond the individual.
It leaves families without answers communities without leaders and generations without closure.
The passage of time does not lessen this harm.
For many Eritrean families, the question remains unchanged after decades.
Where are their loved ones? The continued documentation of these cases demonstrates why independent monitoring remains essential.
In the absence of transparency, accountability, and effective domestic remedies, international scrutiny remains one of the few avenues available to victims and their families.
As we mark 14 years since the establishment of the mandate and ten years since the Commission of Inquiry on Eritrea issued its landmark findings, we must acknowledge an uncomfortable reality.
Many of the concerns identified over a decade ago remain unresolved today.
This should concern all those committed to the principles of human rights, justice, and human dignity.
We therefore reiterate our support for the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea.
The mandate remains necessary, relevant, and indispensable.
It provides a voice for victims, preserves the historical record, and helps ensure that violations are neither ignored nor forgotten.
The pursuit of truth, justice and accountability is not an act of hostility towards the state.
It is an act of solidarity with victims and commitment to the universal principles upon which this council is founded.
Families of the disappears disappeared, deserve answers.
Refugees deserve the opportunity to return in safety and dignity.
Religious communities reserve the freedom to practice and organize their affairs without interference.
All Eritreans deserve a future built on rights, accountability, and respect for human dignity.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I will next give the floor to Her Excellency, miss Sophia sf Maria Ambassador Fertria.
You have the floor exits.
Thank you, Madam President.
I'd like to thank all those delegations who stress the importance of constructive engagement in the promotion and protection of human rights while expressing their concern about the politicization, double standards, and selectivity of the human rights mechanisms.
Eritrea does not recognize the mandate of the Special Rapporteur.
Concerning the assertions we heard today, I want to reiterate that allegations regarding Eritrea's domestic systems exceed the mandate of the Human Rights Council.
Such claims risk contravening Articles 2.12 0.7 of the UN Charter, which reaffirm sovereign equality and prohibit intervention in matters within the domestic jurisdiction of states.
The Council is not mandated to determine how a sovereign state organizes its defense system, electoral timetable, constitutional implementation, or public administration.
Continuing mischaracterization of Eritrea's national service is a deliberate misrepresentation and Eritrea has addressed this issue ad nauseam and will not do so today again.
We must question whether the human rights situation in Eritrea is a genuine concern for this council.
There is no human rights crisis that merits this international scrutiny for 13 long years.
Eritrea urges the council to adhere to its cardinal principles and to treat states in a fair and equitable manner.
In conclusion, we've heard from many speakers today, including the special rapporteur, referencing the Commission of Inquiry on Eritrea that was established ten years ago.
That commission has been disbanded and its recommendations with it.
Continuing to raise the issue of the commission of inquiry is another way of prolonging the misrepresentation, the inadequate information, the misinformation on Eritrea, its people, and its government.
I thank you.
Thank you.
Next, I will turn to Mr.
Mohamed Abdel Salam Babikh, the Special Reporter on Eritrea.
Thank you so much for the opportunity.
I would like to emphasize the issue of enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention, and steps have to be taken with regard to this issue.
This is a very serious um, matter confirmed by the Commission of Inquiry.
The findings are there and also confirmed by subsequent es.
If the government of Eritrea wishes to demonstrate a genuine commitment to human rights, it must begin by releasing those unlawfully detained, and some of them have been spending more than three decades.
It must also provide families with information.
And here I appeal to the ambassador here to, um, reveals information for the disappeared ones.
We have heard information here about 10,000 detainees and for disappeared persons.
I meet during my tenure with many families and any practical steps taken by this council, and I think this is a historical responsibility for member states to honor this council.
Otherwise, it will be like a talking.
I think it's important for member states in particular as African states to engage with the government of Eritrea in order to deal with this file.
This is not politicization.
This is not selectivity.
Here we are talking about facts.
A number of people actually have disappeared, and the fact that Eritrea released a in December 2013 detainees is actually a confirmation of even the system does not exist, the system of rule of law and accountability because they spent 18 years in jail without any process of fair trial or any charge.
Also, with regard to constructive engagement and constructive dialogue, all during my tenure, I reached out to the government of Eritrea to engage on different files, but they never responded.
I reach out I end my report for their comments.
They never commented on my reports.
Finally, I would like to thank the Office of the High Commissioner for all the support and also thank members of the council.
I hope that my successor will be able to engage with the government, with the facilitation of member states.
Thank you again.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
And last but not least, I give the floor to miss Maroon.
Thank you very much, Madam Vice President.
I just want to share a few reflections because I also observe and I agree with those delegations that the debate on this item has grown so highly polarized over the few years.
One is that international law actually provides that human rights are not purely domestic matters and must be universally upheld under the legal obligations that member states have accepted voluntarily under human rights treaties.
The other one is that the importance of knowledgeing areas where progress has been reported must be done, but has to be balanced with serious human rights concerns that persist.
They're not mutually exclusive.
Another point is that achieving progress in the area of economic, social, cultural rights does not absolve the need to make efforts on the realization of civil and political rights.
In fact, human rights are indivisible and interdependent and sustainable development, peace and stability can only be achieved by making progress on all categories of rights.
Equally, human rights monitoring and reporting are not incompatible with engagement and cooperation.
In fact, establishing a baseline of the human rights situation through monitoring helps to develop more targeted and effective technical cooperation and capacity building programs.
Whilst OHHR has developed a reliable and established remote monitoring methodology, the best way to alleviate any concerns about the veracity of reported human rights allegations is by opening up access to the country and allowing for independent verification on the ground.
As several delegations have underscored, genuine progress requires more than selective engagement.
It requires a clear and demonstrated commitment to human rights, sustained cooperation with international and regional mechanisms, human rights mechanisms, concrete follow up to recommendations, and tangible steps to bring laws, institutions, and practices in line with the country's international human rights obligations.
To these ends, as we've done many times over the past year, OHHR once more reiterates its offer to engage constructively and in good faith with the Eritrean authorities.
We wish this cooperation to be meaningful and concrete beyond public expressions of intent.
Thank you.
I thank you.
This brings us to the end of this enhanced interactive dialogue.
I wish to thank all of the presenters for their presentations.
Mr.
Mohamed Abdel Salah Babkir, as this is your mandate as Special Rapporteur comes to an end, I wish to take this opportunity and express on behalf of this council our gratitude for valuable contributions you have made to the work of the council and to wish you every success in your future endeavors.
We will now take a short break before holding the inspective dialogue with the commission of inquiry on the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel.
I ask you to remain in the room, please.
Excellence participants.
We shall now hold the interveactive dialogue with the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel pursuant to Council resolution S 30 slash one.
It is my pleasure to welcome the distinguished members of the Commission of Inquiry.
I will now give the floor to Mr.
Srinivasan Mural Tar, Chair of the Commission for the presentation of the report.
You have the floor.
Thank you.
Mr.
Vice President, Excellencies, good afternoon.
I speak before this council while the most devastating attack against the Palestinian people since 1948 continues after more than 2.5 years now with complete impunity.
In a conference room paper published in September 2025, the commission found that the Israeli authorities and Israeli security forces had committed and were continuing to commit genocidal acts with the specific intent to destroy, in whole or in part, the Palestinian group in Gaza.
These findings followed the issuing of three binding orders of provisional measures by the International Court of Justice detailing the catastrophic conditions in Gaza and risks of irreparable prejudice to the rights of the Palestinian group.
Excellencies.
The report by the Board of Peace to the Security Council in May this year, pursuant to Security Council Resolution 2803, claims that the conditions for Palestinians in Gaza have improved.
Excellencies, this contradicts the findings of this commission.
The Israeli Prime Minister has been clear.
Israel aims to seize at least 70% of the Gaza strip in clear violation of the ceasefire agreement and international law.
The reality is that Palestinians continue to be killed and harmed in Gaza even after the cease fire was announced in October last year and the amount of humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza remains very much below the necessary levels needed.
The impact on children continues to be detrimental.
The conference room paper will be made available on the web page of this commission next week, focusing especially on the violations committed against children before and after the cease fire.
Furthermore, the public and severe mistreatment of the flotilla activists detained by the Israeli forces, disregarding international law support the findings of the Commission in previous reports that Palestinian detainees were severely mistreated, including tortured, raped, and sexually abused by these forces.
Excellencies.
The report presented to you today focuses on killing and causing bodily harm and mental harm by non state actors.
These acts are committed against Palestinians by settlers in the occupied West Bank and against Palestinians and Israelis by Hamas in Gaza and armed groups and others in the West Bank.
While their origins and motivations differ, these groups operate within environments engineered by Israel, including the continuing Israeli offensive in Gaza, despite the October 2025 cease fire.
Hamas has exploited the vacuum resulting from the relentless Israeli attacks and the destruction of Gaza, whereas violence by settlers is the direct result of Israeli policies that facilitate and support their actions.
Excellencies, Palestinian lives in the occupied West Bank are more at risk than ever.
From a January 2025 to eight, April 2026, Israeli settlers killed at least 15 Palestinians and injured at least 1296 Palestinians.
In 2025, at least seven Palestinians were killed and 832 Palestinians were injured.
This marks 130% increase in killings and injuries over the year 2024.
This trend continues in 2026 with attacks carried out on a daily basis and at least eight Palestinian civilians killed by settlers just in the first four months of the year.
When violence becomes so routine and it is met with almost complete impunity, it sends a devastating message that Palestinian lives are worthless and meaningless and that they can be taken day after day without consequences.
This surge in settler attacks comes against a landmark advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice in July 2024, declaring that Israel's continued presence in the occupied Palestinian territories are lawful and that Israel must immediately end the occupation, cease all new settlement activities, and evacuate all settlers from the occupied Palestinian territory.
Settlers have increasingly resorted to sexual violence to instill fear and humiliate Palestinians in order to pressure communities and force them to leave the land.
Since 2023, the commission has verified the rape of a Palestinian man and two cases of attempted rape.
Meanwhile, settlers have consistently intimidated and harassed Palestinian women and girls, constraining their daily life.
Violence against women and children contribute to the forcible displacement of Palestinian communities.
The targeting of these groups constitutes an instrumental factor in pushing Palestinian families and communities to leave their homes.
Excellencies.
Settler violence in the West Bank functions as a means of implementing Israeli state policies with both the state and violent settler groups working in collaboration towards the same strategic objective, unlawful territorial expansion.
This expansion, as previously pointed out by the Commission, takes the form of entrenchment and expansion of Israeli settlements, de facto annexation of Palestinian territory, and forced displacement of Palestinians from their land.
Members of the Israeli security forces are routinely involved in attacks.
They accompany, protect, and participate in these attacks, reinforcing a pattern in which Israeli forces assist in perpetrating violence instead of protecting the occupied Palin population from violence.
Now I move on to the violence by the armed Palestinian groups, including Hamas.
Excellencies.
Since it seized power in Gaza in 2007, Hamas has repeatedly exploited security vacuums and humanitarian crisis, resulting from Israeli attacks and escalations of hostilities to target suspected collaborators and political opponents with extreme physical violence.
In the surge of punitive violence since October 2023, the commission identified 249 cases of executions and severe physical violence in 2024, 2025, resulting in at least 108 deaths and 384 injured.
The commission found that Hamas affiliated forces were involved in at least 60 of these incidents.
Hamas also recorded and published the execution of alleged perpetrators as a form of public humiliation and to instill fear and deter opponents.
Public punishments, particularly against perceived collaborators have long lasting repercussions on the victims and their families, including shame and stigma.
Palestinians in Gaza are essentially trapped between the structural violence and mass atrocities of Israeli forces and settlers and the fear based rule of Hamas effectively becoming victims of all sides.
Excellencies, the government of Israel must immediately end the unlawful occupation of Palestinian territory, cease all new settlement activities, and remove all settlers and settlements in compliance with the advisory opinion of July 2024 of the International Court of Justice.
It must also take all possible preventive measures to protect Palestinians from settler violence and ensure accountability.
Above all, Israel needs to remove all obstructions to fulfill exercise of Palestinian people's right to self determination.
The de facto authorities in Gaza, controlled largely by Hamas, must immediately stop all extrajudicial punishments of civilians, including executions, torture, and mental, physical and sexual violence and ensure accountability and reparation to the victims and their families.
The government of the state of Palestine must also fulfill its obligations and investigate and prosecute crimes committed by armed groups in Gaza to the extent possible.
My final words are directed at the member states of the United Nations, many of which are represented here today.
All states must fulfill their obligations under international law.
As provided by the advisory opinion issued by the International Court of Justice, states must not recognize as legal situations arising from the unlawful presence of Israel in the occupied Palestinian territory.
This means not to render aid or assistance that supports or maintains the occupation, including by ending arms transfers and the provision of direct and indirect financial support to settlements.
Thank you.
Thank you.
According to our practice, we will begin by hearing from the delegations of countries concerned.
I will first give the floor to Israel.
You have 5 minutes.
Israel, I note that the delegation of Israel is not in the room, so I will give the floor to the Delegation of State of Palestine.
Excellency, you have 5 minutes.
Thank you, Vice President.
At the outset, I would like to welcome the chair and members of the Commission of Inquiry.
I also thank the Secretariat for preparing this report on violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law and crimes conducted by non governmental groups.
Despite the absence of any cooperation by the occupying power with the commission or with OHCHR, There is a release published by the occupying power in Geneva, which attacks the Commission for doesn't even know who the chair is.
It undermines the professionalism and independence of the commission as it did with previous commissions.
We would propose to the government of Occupation genocide to update its discourse and stop hawking around lies and pointing to manipulating the history of anti Semitism.
We point to the violations carried out by settlers in Palestine since 1947 using Nazi practices.
They were called this by the former war minister of the occupying power.
There are more than 30 groups of criminal extremists carrying out dreadful crimes, attacking religious sites, cutting off roads, Stealing harvests, carrying out rapes and sexual assaults against children, women and men.
This was documented in the report before us.
These are practices which continue the practices carried out in 1947 and 1948 with over 50 violent massacres of women and girls, destruction of villages, expulsion of thousands of citizens.
The same mentality guides the settlers now supported by the government of occupation and the occupying army.
They are armed.
As the Minister of National Security has stated, 100,000 settlers will be receiving more weapons shortly.
President, the report points to violations by a number of different groups in Gaza, including summary executions, ill treatment of citizens, On various pretexts, we condemn this as we do the targeting of civilians, be they Palestinians or Israelis, but we call for there to be prosecutions, including for the armed groups supported by the occupying power.
We have not controlled Gaza since the coup d'etat.
80% of the West Bank is under Israeli occupation.
We call on all parties to implement the recommendations of the report before us.
We will do what falls to us under our commitments and we welcome the measures by certain countries against ministers of the genocidal government, some of them settlements.
However, we believe that settlers are part of the occupation system, and we call for the advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice of 2024 and resolution of the GA and Security Council to be implemented.
All countries must rise to their responsibilities in order to stop the expulsions, ethnic cleansing, force department, and ensure that our people can exercise its right to self determination in the land of its state occupied in 1947 with its capital as East Jerusalem and settlement of the refugee issue in keeping with the relevant resolutions.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I will now give the floor to the Independent Commission for Human Rights of the State of Palestine.
You have 3 minutes.
Thank you, Madam Vice President.
The Independent Commission for Human Rights, ICHR welcomes the report of the Commission of Inquiry.
ICHR warns that continued international inaction and Israel's entrenched impunity have allowed the occupying power to act without effective restraint.
In Gaza, ICHR unequivocally condemns extrajudicial executions, torture, unlawful detention, and unlawful punishment documented in the report.
These grave violations require independent investigation and accountability.
However, while the grave violations by armed groups in Gaza, it does not address Israel's responsibility for occupation linked armed groups or for armed chaos in areas under its effective control.
This gap is critical.
Israel has systematically destroyed Palestinian civil, police, judicial and administrative structure, while enabling conditions in which armed groups operate outside any legal framework.
IC HR has documented occupation linked armed groups involved in abductions, unlawful detention, torture, extrajudicial executions, armed attacks against civilians, intimidation and interference with humanitarian aid.
Israel cannot create, arm, protect, facilitate, or tolerate such groups, then evade responsibility for the consequences.
In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, settler violence backed by political, military, legal and financial support, together with movement restrictions and outpost legalization, reinforces apartheid and accelerates de facto annexation.
OCHA reported that settler attacks causing casualties or property damage averaged six per day in 2026, the highest annual rate on record.
In February 2026, Israel's security cabinet approved unprecedented procedures to register West Bank land as state land, institutionalizing land seizure, accelerating de facto annexation, and reinforcing apartheid through permanent facts on the ground.
Therefore, ICHR urges this council to, first, hold Israel accountable for structure requires in Gaza, including its role in facilitating, tolerating, or failing to prevent violations by occupation linked armed groups.
Second, hold Israel accountable for state backed settler violence in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem and ensure accountability for the official settlers, military actors, and institutions enabling such violence.
Third, support the Commission's recommendations to address Israeli settlers in the Secretary-General Child and armed conflict Report.
Finally, demand an immediate end to the unlawful occupation, Apartheid annexation and settlement enterprise.
I thank you.
Thank you.
The list of speakers for this dialogue is now closed, but we will hear by delegations tomorrow morning.
Excellency participants, I understand that there are certain delegation have requested to exercise the right of reply.
I now give the floor to the representative of United Arab Emits.
You have 3 minutes.
Vice President, thank you.
We exercise the right of reply in response to the wrongful accusations in this room by the representative of a party to the conflict in Sudan.
The representative launches the attack in order to sidestep Accountability pertaining to acts carried out by the rapid support forces.
This party will not cooperate with the United Nations mechanisms.
It's always blocked diplomatic efforts.
The representative failed to investigate the members of the force which are indicated as criminals.
There is a connection with extremist groups including the Muslim Brotherhood.
It blocks the application of IHL in Sudan, bringing unimaginable suffering to the people.
This party to the conflict refuses any ceasefire pushing Sudan to the edge.
Our country's position is clear.
It is firm.
We are not a party to the conflict.
We have provided no weapons since it broke out in 2023.
Vice President my country reiterates that it has never permitted the use of its territory or institutions to frame or transfer foreign competence to any conflict, including that in Sudan.
On the contrary, our authorities have brought to justice 13 persons and six companies connected to the Sudan conflict who had tried to export military equipment to Sudan.
And launder money.
It is unfortunate that these accusations are attempted in this room and outside of it.
Everything must be done to alleviate the suffering of the people of Sudan.
Despite the politicized accusations.
We're the second donor to Sudan.
We have provided assistance over $4 billion over the past decade and we continue to provide humanitarian assistance to save the people of Sudan as a member of the at War in Sudan.
We will continue seeking an end to the war and transition to an independent civilian government far from the conflict and the extremist groups that trampled the aspirations of the people of Sudan.
We wish to Sudan have a decent life and prosperity.
Thank you.
I recognize that Sudan has raised its nameplate, but I would like to remind you that countries concerned are not allowed to exercise the right of reply to the statements made during the IE on the country.
Excellency, distinguished participants.
This brings us to the end of this meeting.
We will reconvene tomorrow morning at 10:00 A.M.
To continue the interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel to be followed by the interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner's annual report.
I hereby close the second meeting of the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council.