6th Meeting - 62nd Session of Human Rights Council

Excellency Excellency, distinguished participants.
I hereby call to order the sixth meeting of the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council.
We will now continue the interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health.
We will continue with the list of speakers.
I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the Marshall Islands by video.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
The Republic of the Marshall Islands, thanks to the Special Rapporteur for her report.
As noted in your report, dignity is a foundational principle of the right to health and a practical condition for its realization.
We fully agree.
A denial of dignity for individuals seeking care, including through discrimination, violence, and exclusion from decision making is a denial of humanity.
The right to health of the Marshallese people is, in that regard, still affected by the physical and psychological trauma caused by 12 years of nuclear testing.
During the nuclear testing carried out on All and islands 1946-1958, the Marshallese people were misled, forcibly displaced, and subjected to scientific experimentation without consent to study the nefarious effects of human exposure to nuclear radiation.
In official records, scientists qualify them as uncivilized, but more like us than mice.
Dehumanization ultimately enabled the violations which were committed against our people and the devastating impact on our health.
Madam Special Rapporteur, in your view, what are the best practices to restore dignity and trust of individuals that suffered human rights violations in the context of healthcare? And I thank you.
Thank you very much.
I call on Neale.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Nepal, thanks to the Special Rapporteur for presenting the report.
We believe that the promotion and protection of human dignity are intrinsically linked to the realization of the right to the health through enhancing access to health care services, both physical and mental.
The Constitution of Nepal guarantees every citizen the right to free basic health care services and equal access to health care.
Guided by this constitutional commitment, Nepal continues to strengthen its efforts towards the expansion of essential health care services and specific measures aimed at reducing out of pocket expenditures.
In addition, we are strengthening primary health care system, integrating mental health services, and advancing digital health initiatives to enhance access to quality health care services across the country.
We believe in a human rights based approach to health care, which is free from stigma, discrimination, and barriers to access.
In this context, Nepal, as a climate vulnerable country, would like to hear from the special rapporteur, what specific mess do you recommend for addressing climate induced public health issues and protecting climate impacted communities.
I thank you.
Michel Gras Thank you.
I call on the distinguished representative Togo.
Vice President, my delegation, thanks the Special Rapporteur for her report, which widely recalls the intrinsic connection between the right to health and human dignity lifelong.
Togo's government, noting the importance of this has successfully carried out deep preaching reforms of the health system based around strengthening health coverage, particularly in terms of infrastructure, universal health coverage now extended to travelers in the informal sector, training healthcare personnel and allowing patients access to quality health care.
Based on the principle of inclusion, Togo has established social programs to support and care and provide health care for specific groups such as pregnant women and school children.
My country will continue its efforts to overhaul its health system and calls for more solidarity and equity internationally, particularly as regards reforming public debt systems in order to allow low income countries to raise more resources in order better to finance their health care systems to the benefit of all.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I call on Vanuatu.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
F two, thanks, Special Reporter for her important report on health as an enabler of dignity.
We welcome the report's central message that health cannot be realized without dignity and dignity cannot flourish without health.
We are clear that access to quality health care, meaningful participation, equality and freedom from discrimination are essential components of the right to health.
For Vanua the discussion of gnity and health cannot be separated from the realities of climate crisis.
As a small island developing state on the front line of climate change, we witnessed firsthand how climate related disasters, sea level rise, extreme weather events, food insecurity, water scarcity, and displacement undermine both human health and human dignity.
Climate change is not only an environmental challenge, it is a profound human rights and public health challenge.
It affects access to drinking water, nutritions food in adequate housing, sanitation, and healthcare services, the very determinants of health highlighted in the In the report, repeated climate shocks place significant pressure on already limited health infrastructure and disproportionately affect women, children, persons with disabilities, older person and remote island communities.
We thank the special Robota for placing dignity at the center of the right to health and for reminding us that protecting health in the era of climate change is essential to protecting human dignity itself.
I thank you.
Mira.
Thank you.
Sierra Leone.
As the Vice President, Serian aligns with the African group statement and thanks Special Rapporteur, we reaffirm that the right to health cannot be realized without respect for human dignity and that health care systems must meet the standards of availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality.
Sion has sought to give these standards a concrete form in the free health care program for pregnant women, lactating mothers and children under five and in our efforts to strengthen primary health care and advance universal health coverage.
We note the attention of the underlying determinants of health.
Poverty, food insecurity, and inadequate sanitation do not merely accompany poor health outcomes, but often serve as causes.
Our national policy of anchoring food security and human capital development among others reflect that understanding.
Our experience in house stigma and discrimination operates to deny people the various systems built to serve them has helped us to accept that healthcare policy must empower individuals as rights holders, deepen community participation, and ensure services are culturally appropriate and delivered with respect.
We call for continued cooperation, technical assistance, capacity building, and predictable financing to make the right to the highest attainable standard of health a lived reality.
I thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Michels.
Thank you.
I call on Sri Lanka.
Mr.
Vice President, Sri Lanka welcomes the report of the special rapporteur and appreciates her concrete recommendations to achieve the highest level of health standards.
Sri Lanka believes that the right to health must be accomplished by respecting and protecting the dignity of the right holders.
Digital innovation, including ethical use of AI, should not only advance health, but also ensure patient privacy, confidentiality and integrity.
Sri Lanka, as a country that provides free health services through its national policy on health and well being 2026 to 2035, is committed to universal health coverage as a national priority and guaranteed access to essential and affordable health services across the full spectrum of care.
Further, we embark on the primary health care reform agenda through Aragia Health and Wellness centers to provide primary health care services to all its citizens.
Furthermore, Sri Lanka reinforced the health in all policies approach as many key factors influencing health.
Finally, we underscore that investing in primary health care, digital health, health literacy, and community education, and ensuring health financing and meaningful participation will secure the right to health of everyone with dignity.
I thank you.
Thank you.
Aye.
Call on Zimbabwe.
Mr.
Vice President, Zimbabwe governs the special labor report.
We conclude that right to youth is fundamental to human dignity and depends on equitable access to medicines, vaccines, and health products.
Despite fiscal constraints worsened by UCMs, Zimbabwe has prioritized domestic financing for.
We have designated health funds and the national AIDS Trust fund through public health taxes.
To secure constant medicine supplies, Zimbabwe is strengthening and advancing the national pharmaceutical strategy to expand local manufacturing, reduce import dependence, and enhance product sovereignty.
We are also strengthening community a systems, deploying community auto workers, and rolling out last mail distribution to eliminate stockouts and improve accountability.
We are depending public private partnership, partnerships including climate is linked community y systems to ensure a sustainable y system.
We call for international solidarity, fair technology transfer and global financial reforms to ensure that lifesaving medicines and vaccines are treated as global public goods.
Zimbwe remains committed to achieving sustainable yt equipy for all.
I thank you.
Mr.
Charles Gracias.
Thank you.
I call on Croatia.
Vice President, Croatia aligns itself with the EU statement.
Croatia thanks the Special Rapporteur for her report and welcomes its focus on human dignity as a cornerstone of the right to health.
Croatia agrees that the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health must be firmly grounded in respect for the dignity of every individual.
We share the concern that discrimination, stigma, and social exclusion continue to create barriers to health care for many persons, particularly those in vulnerable situations.
Ensuring accessible, inclusive, and people centered health care systems remains essential for the effective realization of the right to health.
We welcome the report's emphasis on participation and informed decision making as well as its focus on mental health.
Croatia attaches particular importance to promoting mental health and well being across all stages of life, including through community based support and prevention measures.
We also recognize the importance of addressing broader social determinants of health and ensuring that public policies respond to the needs of all members of society, including older persons and persons with disabilities.
Madam Special Reporter, would you be so kind as to share examples of good practices that have proven effective in promoting dignity and autonomy in health care services.
Thank you.
Mira.
Thank you.
I call on Car.
Mr.
Vice President, the state of Qatar reaffirms that preserving human dignity is a fundamental principle in its health policy.
The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health is guaranteed to all on an equal footing without discrimination.
We focus on the key determinants of health in Qatar.
This includes social, economic, and environmental factors, while we focus on social protection and quality of life in order to achieve better health outcomes for all.
We have adopted a patient rights and duties charter at the level of the Ministry of Public Health in Qatar, which is a holistic health care framework that guarantees the rights for health care of high quality and without discrimination for all patients in Qatar.
This also ensures respecting the regulations of healthcare facilities.
Qatar reiterates its commitment to engaging in international cooperation in the promotion of the right to health and preserving human dignity without leaving anyone behind.
Thank you, Vice President.
Thank you.
I call on Malawi.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Malawi aligns itself with the African Group statement.
Thanks the Special Rapporteur for a final report and fully endorses the central assertion that health cannot be realized without dignity and dignity cannot flourish without health.
Malawi is concerned that stigma, discrimination, and punitive legal frameworks remain root causes of poor health outcomes disproportionately affecting marginalized communities in the global South.
Malawi calls for a place of dignity at the center of the health legislation and policy by removing structural barriers, strengthening participation, and prioritizing those left furthest feet behind.
At the national level, Malawi's national health policy prioritizes universal health care and community based services.
Malawi has also enacted the Mental Health Act 2025, which adopts a human rights based approach to mental health care.
Malawi calls on all states to respect, protect, and fulfill the right to health with dignity and urges greater international cooperation to address social, legal, and commercial determinants of health in developing countries.
In that regard, Malawi wishes to ask the Special Rapporteur, what concrete measures does she recommend to ensure that international financing genuinely prioritizes dignity based health systems in low and middle income countries.
I thank you.
Michela Gracias.
Thank you.
I call on Mali.
Thank you, Vice President.
We thank the Special Rapporteur for the report on the right to health as a reflection of human dignity lifelong.
We have undertaken reforms to ensure access to health care for all of our population.
This seeks to overcome unequal access, strengthen the health system, and improve progress.
We have we have adopted decree 862716 on hospitals is the charter setting out the rights and obligations of patients and healthcare personnel.
It states that patients have the right to be cared for in respect for the human dignity.
However, we have heard of violations of the right to health within certain establishments in our country, often as a result of actions by terrorists, such as the destruction of a healthcare center in No on 24 May 2025.
We take the view that Strict legal measures and unregulated trade practices can have direct consequences on autonomy, access to health care, and equality in health care.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I call on Guinea.
Thank you, Vice President.
My delegation aligns with the position of the African group and thanks to Special Rapporteur for her excellent report which places human dignity at the heart of the right to health.
For Guinea, dignity is not a theoretical concept, but rather the very basis of health policy.
We support this global approach which brings together autonomy, equity, citizens' participation and public responsibility.
Full enjoyment of threat to health depend on access to social, economic, and environmental inputs.
Including drinking water, food security, education, and decent working conditions, particularly for women and rural populations in developing countries.
The Republic of Guinea recalls that maternal health is the ultimate test of dignity in health care.
The right to health care will be incomplete while women continue to die in giving birth because of a lack of adequate infrastructure and qualified staff.
We call for international cooperation to be stepped up and also for experience sharing to benefit developing countries in respect of the priorities set by each national authority, thank you.
Thank you.
I call on Côte D'ivoire.
Vice President.
Thank you, Vice President, Côte D'ivoire aligned with the statement by the African group and thanks to Special Rapporteur for the report, which sheds light on the intrinsic link between dignity and enjoyment of the right to health.
My delegation believes that enjoyment of the right to health is an essential basis for human dignity.
Health and dignity are mutually reinforcing, lifelong.
Equitable access to health care and decent treatment improve well being and good physical and mental health allow each person fully to exercise their autonomy and to participate actively in the life of their community.
Yeah.
My country has established a legal and regulatory framework which seeks to ensure access to health care while protecting basic rights.
This includes universal health care coverage, which seeks to uphold the dignity of people when they are unwell.
This also provides free healthcare for pregnant women and children aged under five, equal access to health care through improving local infrastructure and subsidies for complex procedures such as dialysis.
Courvoi calls on states and all stakeholders to place dignity at the heart of laws, policies and practices in health care.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I call on Paraguay.
Thank you, President.
We thank the Special apportur for presenting the report on health care as a crucial element in human dignity.
This is a valuable contribution to our reflection on the current challenges in health care systems.
We recognize the importance of strengthening primary health care, prevention, and access to mental health care services, particularly in rural communities and among indigenous peoples to make progress towards more local health care better adapted to people's needs.
Paraguay has adopted a national policy on mental health care and And strategies for decentralized coverage.
The comprehensive networks for health care have been strengthened with the construction functioning of more health centers.
We reiterate that Human life has a fundamental value and serves to be protected and respected at all times.
We protect the right to life in our Constitution and do not recognize abortion as a right deriving from personal autonomy or reproductive rights.
We reiterate our commitment to continue promoting public policies which are guaranteed progressively to strengthen the right to physical and mental health and we value the exchange of experience and initiatives to reduce barriers to access to health care.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I call on Peru.
Vice President Peru, thanks the Special Rapporteur for presenting the report and agrees that health and human dignity interdependent, poverty, inequality, and food insecurity as well discrimination and the effects of climate change have a disproportionate effect on the physical and mental health, particularly of vulnerable persons.
To respond to this, we have a national multisexual policy on healthcare to 2030 designed to overcome these barriers with a local and lifelong approach.
For mental health, we have a community based model.
With mental community health care centers and specialized services.
We emphasize that international cooperation, technical assistance, and exchange of experience are crucial to support national efforts.
We reaffirm our commitment to the right to the highest possible level of physical and mental health with inclusive health care systems based on what people need.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I call on Dibbouti.
President.
Thank you.
Dibouti.
Thanks, Special Rapporteur for presenting the report on health as a vector of human dignity and we share the view that there can be no health without dignity nor dignity without an effective guarantee of basic rights.
Dibouti prioritized healthcare and is constantly strengthening the national healthcare system to ensure equitable, inclusive, non discriminatory access to health care services.
We also consider that respect for Informed consent, medical confidentiality and physical integrity of patients is a basic principle of a human rights based health care system.
We recognize that challenges related to poverty, climate change, food insecurity, and social inequalities continue to have a direct impact on health and well being of populations.
We are pursuing our efforts to strengthen social protection policies, access to drinking water, health education, and resilience of communities in the context of crises.
Special rapporteur, given the many ongoing challenges.
What do you believe are the main levers allowing states to strengthen the resilience of their health care systems and ensure a human dignity based healthcare approach? Thank you.
I call on a man.
Mr.
Vice President, the Sultan of Oman would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for her instructive report, which reaffirms a fundamental truth, which is that human dignity is not a theoretical slogan.
It is at the core of the right to health and it's a yardstick for the quality of public policy.
Mr.
Vice President, the right to health is genuinely tested during crises and conflicts.
Hospitals are not battlefields.
They are inviolable and must be safeguarded and patients and workers are not party to wars, they are ambassadors that carry a noble humanitarian message.
One of justice.
It's not fair that patients and wounded should pay the price twice, once because of the fear and the wounds that they receive and secondly, when they are denied access to healthcare.
This is why the Sultanate of Oman reaffirms that stigmatization and discrimination and exclusion are dangerous restrictions against the right to health.
The Sultanate of Oman indeed reaffirms that rejecting discrimination is essential as part of its national policy.
We deliver health care based on the human need without regard to the ethnicity or the color of the patient.
In conclusion, the Sultanate of Oman calls for the strengthening of the protection of health facilities and health workers and anchoring human dignity at the heart of health policy Thank you.
Thank you, Vietnam.
Vice President, Vietnam thanks the Special Rapporteur for her report on health as an enabler of dignity.
We share the view that health and dignity are mutually reinforcing and that health policies must be people centered, equitable and inclusive.
This approach is consistent with Vietnam's priorities at the United Nations and WHO on universal health coverage, primary health care prevention, and leaving no one behind.
At the national level, Vietnam has recently adopted Politbureu resolution number 72, which identifies people's health as a foundation for happiness, sustainable development, and national prosperity.
The resolution places people at the center of health policy, promotes equal and equitable access to health services, and calls for a shift from treatment focused care to proactive prevention, grassroots health care, and life course health management.
It also sets the objective of achieving health insurance coverage of over 95% by 2026 and universal coverage by 2030.
Vietnam will continue strengthening preventive care, digital health transformation, health education, and services for vulnerable groups.
We call for enhanced international cooperation, capacity building, and technology transfer to support resilient and inclusive health systems.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Michelle Garcia.
Thank you.
I call on South Africa.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
South Africa aligns with the Africa Group statement and thanks to the Special Rapporteur for insightful report and commends a distinguished tenure, which has consistently advanced a human rights based approach to health grounded in dignity, equality and inclusion.
We particularly welcome the reports central message that health and human dignity are mutually reinforcing and that barriers such as stigma discrimination, criminalization, and social exclusion continue to undermine the enjoyment of right to health, especially for those in vulnerable situations.
South Africa appreciates the Special ape's contributions over the years in drawing attention to issues that have often remained in the margins of health policy discussions, including mental health, sexual and reproductive health and rights, harm reduction, racism, and the impact of discrimination based on sexual orientation, and gender identity on health outcomes.
The report rightly highlights that criminalization, stigma and discrimination can deter access to health care and exacerbate vulnerability.
In this regard, Safa remains committed to the conditional principles of equality, and dignity and non discrimination, including on the basis of sexual orientation.
We recognize that despite important legal protections, challenges persist in ensuring equitable access to healthcare and addressing the social determinants that continue to affect marginalized communities, including the LGBTQ persons.
South Africa thanks the Special Rapporteur for a valuable contribution to strengthening, yes.
Thank you.
I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Eritrea.
Vice President Verta health is a fundamental right and not merchandise or privilege.
We have always endeavored to try to rectify the inequality between rural and urban areas.
Today, Healthcare is practically free for all citizens and residents.
Our people centered approach has borne fruit.
We have national vaccination coverage between 98 99%.
We also a high level of births in health centers at about 80% today.
We're continuing to provide essential medicines free of charge to those with chronic illnesses.
However, coercive measures, UCMs continue to affect the right to health undermining access to medical equipment medicines and the efforts of our country to continue to develop.
Eritrea appeals to the international community to promote true partnership in terms of health security, founded on national priorities and dignity for all peoples.
I thank you.
Cora.
Thank you very much.
I give the thought to the distinguished representative of Zambia.
Mr.
Vice President, Zambia thanks the special rapporteur for the presentation of the report on health as an enabler of dignity.
Zambia remains committed to ensuring that no one is left behind in accessing quality health care.
Through the National Health Insurance Management Authority, NEMA, access to health services has continued to expand, helping to reduce financial barriers to care and improve health outcomes for our people.
We are also encouraged by the support of cooperating partners whose collaboration has contributed to increasing the number of beneficiaries covered under NEMA.
Thereby strengthening efforts towards universal health coverage and improving access to essential health services, particularly for vulnerable populations.
While progress has been made, challenges relating to health financing, human resources for health, and the growing impacts of climate related health risks remain.
We therefore underscore the importance of sustained international cooperation, capacity building, and support for resilient and inclusive health systems.
I thank you.
Muti.
Thank you very much.
I recognize the distinguished representative of Brazil.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Madam Special Rapporteur, Brazil's unified health system known as SUS translates this link between health and dignity institutional practice.
It is grounded in universality, equity, and comprehensive care.
No one must demonstrate merit, previous contribution, or a particular social condition to be entitled to health care.
Universality, however, must be assessed by the capacity of a health system to reach those who face the greatest barriers.
Policies for persons in street situations, therefore, provide a concrete test of whether the right to health is effective in practice rather than merely recognizing in law.
Madam Special Rapporteur, Brazil commends your contribution to placing dignity, equality, and the needs of marginalized groups at the center of the right to health.
How can states ensure that the principle of universality translates into effective access for people who face multiple intersector barriers, including persons in street situation.
Thank you.
Gracias.
Thank you.
I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mauritius.
Mr.
Vice President, we thank the Special Rapporteur for a report and for highlighting that dignity is an essential principle of the right to health.
In fact, dignity permeates across all fundamental rights and freedoms and it is our duty to ensure that this principle remains unviolated.
Mauritius has a longstanding policy of promoting equity and social inclusion in the delivery of health services.
As a welfare state, free health care is provided in all public institutions to all persons.
The right to health can only be upheld through provision of accessible, non discriminatory and quality health care services to all individuals in the community with particular emphasis on the most vulnerable.
Whilst emphasis has been put on qualifications, ability, and experience amongst the practitioners and other supporting staff in the health sector, we are of the view that ethics is also an important aspect as this would ensure that human rights and dignity remain at the forefront of health care.
Mr.
Vice President, to conclude, as AI is increasingly reshaping delivery of healthcare, can the Special Reporter kindly provide views on how to preserve dignity with these automated systems? Thank you very much.
Gci.
Thank you.
I'll give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cameroon.
Mm.
Thank you, Vice President.
Cameroon aligns itself with the statement from the African group and commends the Special Rapporteur for her report.
All persons should be able to enjoy the highest levels of health, particularly mental health, which also disproportionately affects groups that are systematically marginalized.
Cameroon has taken a number of steps or measures to guarantee the rights to health of these vulnerable groups and we have created institutions to give effect to this right.
The government launched the National Strategic Health Plan to 2030 in one.
This initiative has equipped the country with a secure digital healthcare system focusing on confidentiality for health care data.
On the margins of the WHA, we took part in the ministerial African meeting to reaffirm our commitment to global governance for health and ensure that it is more inclusive, innovative, and focused on health sovereignty in Africa.
To conclude, my country takes note of the conclusions and recommendations from the Special Rapporteur.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Afghanistan.
Mr.
Vice President.
We thank the Special Reporter for her report and for her continued efforts to advance the right to health.
In her report, Madam Special Reporter recalls that states have a duty to respect the right to health by refraining from policies that cause preventable illness and death and by removing barriers to dignified and effective healthcare access.
Far from meeting these criteria, since 2021, the Taliban have banned women from medical education and in several provinces, women are unable to receive treatment by male doctors.
Simultaneously, female practitioners are increasingly excluded from the workforce.
These restrictions compound an already fragile system.
Nearly 23 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance while international funding continues to decline.
As the Special Reporter on Afghanistan warned, we are witnessing a full scale health catastrophe for women and girls.
Madam Speci Reporter, in a context where domestic policies systematically exclude women as both provider and receiver of care, what concrete steps should the international community take to ensure that funding and engagement with the Taliban are challenging rather than enabling this system of exclusion.
I thank you.
Thank you very much.
I recognize the distinguished representative of Libya.
S.
Mr.
Vice President, at the outset, we would like to thank Madam Special Rapporteur on the Right to Health for her instructive report, which reaffirms a critical truth, which is that there's no health without dignity and no dignity without health.
Health is not just an absence of illness, it is a core right that enables humans to live adequately and to participate fully in societies.
Mr.
Vice President, we agree with the outcomes of the report that state that human dignity is not complimentary to health policy.
It is a fundamental principle that all policies and health care systems must abide by in such a way as to guarantee quality health services that are facilitated and of high quality available to everyone without discrimination.
Mr.
Vice President, in this context, the commitment of the state of Libya to the right of health is part of its national legislation and international obligations.
This is part of our strategic partnership with the WHO 2026-2027, in which we are going to improve the digital transformation in the health care system, as well as rehabilitating the medical workforce.
Mr.
Vice President, we reaffirm our firm commitment to our cooperation with regional and international partners in elevating the right to health as a core right within the framework of Human Rights.
Thank you.
Gracias.
Thank you.
I recognize the distinguished representative of Botswana.
Mr.
Vice President, Botswana welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on the right to health and appreciate his timely focus on health as an enabler of dignity.
Motsona reaffirms a commitment to strengthen universal health coverage, expanding access to essential services, and ensuring that no one is left behind.
Guided by our national Vision 2036 and international commitments, Botswana continue to invest in primary health care, mental health services, and community based interventions to address the social determinants of health.
Primary health care in particular remains critical for building a strong equitable health system that promotes a people centered and community led healthcare system.
We note with appreciation the report's emphasis on equity, non discrimination, and the need for resilient health system capable of withstanding future crisis and pandemics.
Botswana echoes the call for enhanced international cooperation, technology transfer, capacity building, and predictable financing to support countries in fulfilling their right to health.
Honoring the global health commitments to health care is pivotal to ensuring self reliance and reducing dependency, thereby enhancing health equity within the international systems.
Botswana remains committed to constructive engagement with partners to ensure that health system empower individuals to protect dignity and promote the well being of all.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
I recognize the distinguished representative of the UAE.
Vice President, promoting the right to health is the cornerstone of sustainable development and human dignity I.
In step with our approach that places human beings at the center and in light of our national or international obligations, we'd like to highlight what the Special Rapporteur underscored in the report as to how we should promote this right by respecting economic, social, environmental factors to allow individuals to embrace their society's prosperity.
We continue to develop our health care system by investing in necessary infrastructure, ensuring digitalization and develop healthcare.
For mental health as well.
We have established legislation and policies to promote health, prosperity, social protection, and equal opportunities, notably for children for women, children, and persons with disabilities in order to guarantee human dignity.
Against this backdrop, we are in favor of international efforts to promote the right to health and we are open to exchanging experience and in achieving the SDGs would allow us all to have a dignified healthy life.
Thank you.
Michelle.
Thank you very much.
I recognize the distinguished representative of Luxembourg.
Vice President, Luxembourg aligns itself with the statement from the European Union.
Madam Special Rapporteur, Luxembourg thanks you for your reports and reiterates its full support to your mandate.
We hail your commitment to the right to health for all in a context that is characterized by persistent inequalities and growing pressure on health care systems, as well as the focus you place on structural determinants of health.
This chimes with recent action taken by Luxembourg, notably in the field of sexual reproductive health care and its fight against discrimination.
We thank you for your visit to Luxembourg in April 2023.
This shed light on significant progress made and highlighted the need to strengthen follow up as well as data collection and equal access to health care.
Luxembourg reaffirms that combating stigmatization and discrimination is a sine n condition to the right to health, in particular for people who are living in vulnerable contexts.
Therefore, what priority recommendations would you address to states to better integrate combating discrimination and integrating structural determinants in ensuring universal health care coverage.
I thank you.
Thank you.
I give the floor to the representative of UNICEF.
They are absent.
I recognize the distinguished representative of the Syrian Arab Republic.
Thank you, Vice President and we thank the Special Rapporteur for her report.
We insist on the importance of highlighting the key role of physical and mental health to preserve human dignity and prosperity for all.
This is a fundamental right and a determinant for society.
Therefore, it's all the more important to support national health care systems to ensure that they meet the needs of the people and ensure the provision of healthcare.
There are some challenges that remain.
However, I Because of the previous regime, it's pressing that we have support for our national efforts to ensure that we restore damaged health care centers, that we train health care professionals and facilitate access and promote access to health without discrimination.
We call on international support to help restore our health care system in order to ensure high quality health care can be provided.
And to help support efforts.
Thank you.
I recognize the distinguished representative of Colombia.
Vice President, Colombia would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for the reports.
We agree that human dignity is not just an accessory to right to health, but it is a key condition for its effective realization.
Colombian experience has shown that dignity that we can see concrete progress when we have measures in place.
Constitutional progress has made it possible to give access to this right in practice, particularly for people who face barriers in accessing medicines.
At the same time, Colombia recognizes that one of the main challenges is to ensure access to this right in rural parts of the country that are isolated and geographical distance means there's a lack of communication as well as historical practices that means that it's difficult for health care services to access.
We have brought about strategies to try to serve these communities and recognize that the response needs to be tailored to the reality of each territory.
We'd like to ask the rapporteur, what measures do you think should be priority to convey the principle of dignity and equality into concrete results for rural isolated communities who practice a different culture.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Saudi Arabia.
Mr.
Vice President, we've taken good note of the report and thank the special rapporteur for her efforts to highlight the right to health.
And it's social determinants throughout the life cycle.
This is why we place importance on the right to enjoy physical and mental health.
This is a prerequisite to guarantee sustainable development and quality life.
In light of our 2030 vision, we have ruled out a health care reform program to guarantee health care access to all our people based on prevention, public health, improvement of services, This has made it possible to extend the lifespan for 79,000 people and ensure healthcare coverage for 97% of our citizens.
These are statistics by the end of 2025.
The Kingdom continues to provide countries in the region with certification as tons recognized by WHO, and we'll continue to continue our efforts to try to guarantee dignity and health for all.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Cyprus.
Thank you, Vice President.
Cyprus thanks the Special Rapporteur for her report and aligned itself with the statement by the EU.
We agree that the right to health is not merely the absence of disease but an absolute and fundamental enabler of human dignity.
Without universal, equitable and dignified access to health care, the enjoyment, of all other human rights is compromised.
When we protect a person's health, we protect their dignity, their potential, and their fundamental humanity.
Cyprus firmly believes that health care must never be treated as a market commodity or a luxury for privileged.
Dignified health care requires a system that is inclusive, accessible, resilient, and responsive to the needs of all individuals.
Driven by this conviction, Cyprus has established a general health care system, a national framework ensuring universal equal and lifelong health care coverage for all residents.
The system serves as a cornerstone of our commitment as well as an institutional safeguard for human dignity, guaranteeing that access to life saving healthcare is never determined by a person's financial status, employment, age, or social standing.
Special Rapporteur, how can states better address the commercial environmental determinants of health which disproportionately undermine the dignity of the impoverished communities globally.
I thank you.
Thank you very much.
I recognize the distinguished representative of Algeia.
Thank you, Vice President.
We've taken good note of the report from the special apportur and we agree with her.
That dignity is fundamental for health care.
We need to guarantee this right.
This involves assessing legal, social and economic determinants for health.
This is what we have cemented through a social policy that's based on free education, housing for vulnerable categories and to promote the constitutional right to health without discrimination.
Giving effect of the Act on Health 18 11, which ensures that healthcare is free of charge, as well as education, nutrition, transportation, In order to try to empower patients and guarantee the health care cycle, we've also endeavored to guarantee the dignity of healthcare professionals to try to protect them from any harassment or harm with a view to optimizing their performance, promoting human rights requires an inclusive approach.
This includes a diversity of culture.
We must ensure that community choices are respected.
I recognize Georgia.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Georgia thanks the Special Rapporteur for the presentation of the report and underlines that universal health coverage is a cornerstone of its health policy, ensuring publicly funded access to essential health services for the population.
Georgia has advanced reforms aimed at promoting inclusion and addressing structural barriers faced by marginalized populations.
Ongoing mental health reforms have strengthened community based services and supported the transition from institutional care towards more person centered approaches that respect autonomy, participation, and social inclusion.
Georgia is also committed to improving access to healthcare and rehabilitation services for persons with disabilities and expanding support for individuals living with chronic and rare diseases, including through increased access to essential and innovative medicines.
Unfortunately, due to the Russian occupation of Georgia Sakaia and Shnvali regions, population residing therein is deprived of the same opportunities and benefits offered by the Georgian government.
Mr.
Vice President, we recognize that stigma, discrimination, and exclusion continue to undermine the enjoyment of the right to health.
Georgia therefore remains committed to a human rights based approach that promotes equality, protects dignity, and ensures that no one is left behind.
I thank you.
Guti Thank you very much.
I recognize the distinguished representative of Senegal.
Thank you, Vice President.
Senegal hails the holding of this interactive dialogue and commends the special rapporteur for the high quality report devoted to health as a catalyst for human dignity.
It reminds us that you cannot have health without dignity or dignity without health.
We share approach to health care, equality, non discrimination, participation, as well as the inclusion of commercial, legal, and social determinants to health.
On a national level, my country is continuing its efforts to bolster universal health care coverage, develop local health care services and improve social protection for the most vulnerable groups.
To conclude, Senegal reaffirms its readiness to work with the Special Rapporteur and all partners to continue to ensure that dignity is a common thread of national health policies as well as within the regions and globally.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Mozambique.
Mr.
Vice President, we thank you.
We align ourselves with the statements made by the African group, and we thank the Special Rapporteur for her report that recognize the intrinsic relationship between human dignity and health.
My delegation recognized that the rights to health and well being continue to face significant challenges arising from geographical, infrastructural and financial constraints, important social determinants of health, and from the shortage of health professional.
These challenges are exacerbated by extreme weather events, including recurring cyclones coupled with terrorism activities in some areas of my country, which have resulted in the destruction of health infrastructure, disrupted the provision of essential services, and contributed to internal displacement.
To address these challenges, the health sector in the country has focused its efforts on reforming the National Health Service, strengthening institutional capacities, and leveraging major international financing mechanisms in line with the Lusaka agenda.
Mozamique has adopted a unified National Health System law, which for the first time integrates and harmonize the public, private, and community health systems, therefore enabling more coordinated and effective interventions.
Progress has also been made in expanding access to mental health services.
In closing, I wish to call for the strengthening of primary health care whilst enhancing the integration of the community health systems as key measures towards achieving universal health coverage.
Thank you.
Mira.
Thank you very much.
I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Ghana.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Garner thanked the Special Rapporteur for her report which highlights the central role of dignity in the realization of the rights to health.
Garner particularly takes note of the Special Rapporteur's call for states to ensure that health services, goods, and facilities and the underlying determinants of health are accessible without discrimination and based on substantive equality.
Ghana recognizes that health and human dignity are mutually reinforcing and therefore, guided by our constitution and national development priorities, we continue to pursue inclusive health policies that seek to ensure equitable access to quality health care for all.
Through interventions such as the National Health Insurance scheme, the Ghana Medicare Trust Fund, and the community based Health Planning Services Program, Ghana is working to expand access to affordable health care while reducing geographical and socioeconomic barriers to essential services.
GA is also taking steps to improve the underlying determinants of health through investments in social protection, education, water and sanitation, nutrition, and community based health care programs, that strengthen health literacy and promote inclusive participation in health governance.
Mr.
Vice President, could the Special Rapporteur share examples of practical measures that have proven effective in strengthening dignity centered health care delivery in resource constrained settings.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I call on Bulgaria.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Bulgaria thanks the Special Reporter for her timely insightful report on health and as an enabler of dignity.
We welcome the key message of the report that health and human dignity are mutually reinforcing and that upholding one's right to health requires not only access to quality healthcare, but also respect for autonomy, participation, and accountability.
Bulgaria shares the view that violation of dignity in their various forms continue to undermine health outcomes and disproportionately affect persons in vulnerable situations.
We therefore support efforts aimed at ensuring equal access to health care services and addressing other factors influencing a person's health status, including education, access to reliable information, and social protection.
We appreciate the emphasis on meaningful participation in health related discussion making.
Inclusive policies centered on people are essential to build resilient health system that respond effectively to the needs of society.
Bulgaria attaches particular importance to protecting privacy and confidentiality in the context of digital health technologies.
As health systems become increasingly digitalized, safeguarding personal data and maintaining public trust remain fundamental.
I thank you.
W? Thank you.
I call on Ukraine.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
We thank the Special aportur for her comprehensive report, we share view that health and human rights are closely interconnected and violence coercion, discrimination, exclusion are key drivers of poor health outcomes.
Russia's full scale invasion in 2022, and ongoing tempor occupation by aggressor state of part of the territory of Ukraine since 2014 demonstrate this reality.
Russia's war has created one of the most severe health and mental health crisis in modern Europe, causing lasting harm to physical and mental well being of millions of Ukrainians and undermining access to essential healthcare.
Despite ongoing war, Ukraine has made significant process progress.
Over 130,000 professionals trained, 137 mental health centers and 326 residence centers established.
Regional coordinators and community consultants created.
Initiative led by First idea of Ukraine played important role in raising awareness and supporting community based interventions, reaching hundreds of thousands of people who previously lacked access to mental health support.
The same time, we remain concerned about people in temporary occupied territory and forcibly transferred to Russian Federation facing serious barriers to healthcare and essential medicines, particularly persons with chronic conditions.
We call for humanitarian access and urge sustained attention to impact of armed conflict on right to health.
Madam Saciir Rapporteur, what concrete mechanism do you consider the most effective to ensure accountability for systematic violations that undermine the right to health in conflict settings? I thank you.
Thank you.
I call on Ireland.
Thank you, Vice President.
Ireland aligns with the EU statement and thanks the Special Rapporteur for her report, welcoming its focus on human dignity as a foundational principle of the right to health.
Ireland strongly supports a human rights based approach to health care, and support with emphasis placed on protecting and promoting people's rights and respecting their autonomy, privacy, and dignity.
We recognize that dignity and well being must be embedded across public policy and that social connection is a fundamental determinant of both physical and mental health.
Ireland further emphasizes a healthy communities approach in addressing the wider determinants of health and creating environments that enable people to lead healthier lives.
Through our healthy Ireland framework, we are advancing crossctoral action to improve population health and reduce inequalities.
This includes strengthening community based initiatives, supporting social connection, and integrating well being into decision making across sectors.
In May 2026, Ireland enacted the Mental Health Act 2026, the largest overhaul of mental health legislation in a generation.
This legislation enhances the safeguards and rights of all people accessing mental health services in Ireland and enshrines consent and co decision making as a core component of mental health service provision.
Special Rapporteur, can you share good practices in the development of mental health legislation placing dignity at the center? I thank you.
Thank you.
I call on the Gambian.
Mr.
Vice President, the Gambia congratulates the special rapportoi on the presentation of her final report and thanks her for her valuable contribution throughout her mandate to the promotion and protection of freedom of opinion and expression.
Digital technologies have expanded access to information and created new opportunities for public participation.
At the same time, AI manipulated content and the growing influence of global platforms are reshaping how information is produced, distributed, and understood.
The Gambe believes that protecting freedom of expression and safeguarding information integrity are mutually reinforcing.
In this regard, the Gambe adopted the Access to Information Act in 2021, and on 25th April 2026, with the support of ECOS, launched the first national mechanism of its kind in West Africa to strengthen evidence based verification, fact checking, and public access to credible information.
The initiative reflects the Gambia's commitment to addressing harmful disinformation through public awareness, verification, and cooperation with journalists, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders while preserving open public debate.
The Gambia calls for stronger international cooperation and technical assistance to help developing countries strengthen information integrity, promote responsible digital governance, and protect media freedom.
We asked the special rapporteur what forms of international support are most effective in helping developing countries address disinformation without restricting legitimate expressions.
I thank you.
Michel Gracias Thank you.
Michael.
I apologize.
That was the last speaker that we could accommodate from the list.
We shall now move to the list of national human rights institutions and non governmental organizations.
I call the on the Ombudsman of Colombia by video statement.
The right to health in Colombia is undergoing a structural and other crisis with impact on access and on basic medicines.
The ombudsman in 2025 in November published a report on inaccessible medicines and violation of rights a The recommendations call for a comprehensive agreed reform and a localized ethnic based approach.
It was found in 2024.
There were over 900,000 protection orders.
This is a constitutional mechanism for the immediate protection of fundamental rights and among the most frequent applications was the lack of timely provision of medicines because they were not available.
The ombudsman's office replied through interinstitutional work in different areas of the country.
Calling for unified measures to be taken and the implementation of intersexual dialogues as well as bringing the problem to international bodies, including the inter American system.
The final recommendations call for a consensual comprehensive approach based on localities and ethnic groups and which place human dignity at the heart of healthcare.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I call on the National Human Rights Council of Morocco.
Thank you, Vice President, Special Rapporteur.
The Moroccan Human Rights Council thanks you for this report which reaffirms the basic principle according to which there can be no health without dignity, no dignity without health and recognizes the role to be played by national Human Rights institutions in health.
We recall that we have a dedicated chapter in our National report on health with thematic reports and recommendations based on human rights.
We address complaints in 12 regions of Morocco and monitoring visits on health, including in detention centers and psychiatric health centers.
We note the progress made in Morocco, some identified as good practice in your report, including framework Law 622 on the National Health System and dignity in healthcare, and the measures for protection of personal health data.
To intensify the efforts, we recommend reinforcing governance and implementing recommendations on the promotion and protection of the right to health to ensure the adoption of a human rights based approach in national healthcare policy, as well as strengthening human financial resources to ensure that all people throughout their life have equal access to quality health care.
This must be a fundamental lever for human dignity, taking into account the specific nature of vulnerable groups.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I call on the Independent Commission for Human Rights of the State of Palestine video statement.
And gentlemen, ICHR thanks the Special Rapporteur for her important report on health as an enabler of dignity.
The report's central message that health care cannot be realized without dignity and dignity cannot flourish without health is painfully relevant in the occupied Palestinian territory, particularly in Gaza.
More than 2 million Palestinians in Gaza are facing the near total collapse of the healthcare system.
Patients with cancer, kidney disease, severe injuries, disabilities, chronic illnesses, and urgent surgical needs are being denied timely and adequate care.
Thousands including children, require medical evacuation while many injured persons need rehabilitation and long term care amid severe shortages.
The mental health consequences are equally grave, especially for children and displaced families.
The situation reflects the report's emphasis on the underlying determinants of health.
Without safe water, food, sanitation, shelter, access to hospitals, and protection of healthcare workers, the right cannot be realized.
ICHR stresses that protecting the right to health in Gaza requires urgent action, safeguarding health facilities and personnel, ensuring unrestricted access to medicines and fuel, enabling safe medical evacuation, restoring essential mental health services, and ensuring accountability for serious violations.
Thank you.
Michelle Gras.
Thank you.
I call on the National Human Rights Committee of Qatar.
Cedar Carsad.
Mr.
Vice President, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, the National Human Rights Committee of the State of Qatar reaffirms the importance of the right to health as a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of human dignity and sustainable development.
This requires ensuring equitable and universal access to health care services for all without discrimination.
The committee closely follows the efforts undertaken by the State of Qatar to further develop the healthcare sector and enhance the quality of health care services.
These efforts include expanding access to healthcare strengthening medical infrastructure and enhancing preventive and curative services.
The committee Also continues to observe modernization of healthcare facilities while improving the effiency and quality of services provided to all segments of society.
Our committee further underscores the importance of continued investment in healthcare professionals and the development of national capacities within the health sector, thereby enhancing the efficiency, resilience and sustainability of health care services.
At the same time, the committee considers that mental health remains an area requiring further development, particularly with regard to facilities, logistical support systems, and the expansion of specialized services.
Such measures are essential to improving access to mental health care and psychological support.
Our committee believes that international cooperation and the exchange of expertise in the field of health constitute essential elements in addressing global health challenges and strengthening the capacity of states to develop health care systems.
Thank you.
We continue with the list of NGOs.
First, for a joint statement, I give the floor to Women Deliver Incorporated.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
My name is Brenda Act, and I'm a proud trans African trans woman, delivering this statement on behalf of Women Deliver Trans Advocacy Week and 37 feminist organizations.
We commend the Special Rapporteur for our principles and courageous tenure in progressively advancing global norms and standards towards the attainment of the highest standards of physical and mental health.
Rights based intersectional and decolonial analysis has consistently championed sexual and reproductive health and rights grounded in bodily autonomy, and she has set unequivocal standards in calling for the decriminalization of abortion, sex work, and an inclusive definition of gender based violence as including violence based on sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.
She has recognized health and care workers as human rights defenders deserving of protection, including in the context of Israel genocide in the occupied Palestinian territories.
We warmly welcome doctor Mofokn's final report, which centers human dignity and equity as fundamental components of the rights to health and identify detrimental impacts of criminalization, stigmatization and discrimination as key and recurring barriers to attainment.
We call on this council and the special rapporteurs to build progressively on doctor Mofokn's a considerable legacy of body of work, and to implement the recommendations in full as a means to rebuilding and achieving family health systems and addressing the sectural determinants of health.
My lived experience shows that access to gender farming care has been lifesaving.
It is giving me safety and a dignified life.
It is a fundamental human right.
Thank you.
Gras.
Thank you.
I call on the United Nations Watch.
Video statement.
Of King, your report focuses on human dignity, including protection from exploitation.
Now, on page 21, you refer to sex workers.
In that regard, you've published an article for Teen Vogue magazine encouraging adolescents to view prostitution as legitimate work.
Given the widespread exploitation, trafficking, and abuse in the prostitution industry, do you still stand by those remarks? On page two, you write that Health cannot be realized without dignity.
Do you believe your own conduct reflects that principle? As documented in you and W's latest report, you have repeatedly used profane and abusive language against those with whom you disagree.
On July 1st, 2024, you called former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Filthy.
In a tweet about him on December 8th, 2023, you wrote, E up.
Is this dignified behavior? On pages 1 and 3, your report opposes stigma and racism.
Yet when I criticized your conduct, you called me evil scum white man.
As a result, South Africa's health authority found you guilty of bringing the medical profession into disrepute.
Do you now regret those remarks? Special Rapporteur, you were elected chair of the UN human rights experts.
Is your conduct setting the right example? Finally, South Africa gave the world Nelson Mandela, who taught that human dignity belongs to every person, including one's political opponents.
Special Rapporteur, do you believe that Nelson Mandela would have approved of your conduct? I thank you.
Thank you.
I call on the IDPC Consortium Pavi.
IDPC alongside Harm Reduction International and the Institute of HIV Research and Innovation, welcome the special Rapporteur's report on a visit to Thailand.
Punitive drug policies, along with stigma and discrimination continue to undermine access to health for people who use drugs.
Health systems, laws and policies must instead place dignity at their center, ensuring equal access to services without discrimination and grounding responses in autonomy, participation, equality, confidentiality, and accountability.
While the 2021 drug policy reforms in Thailand initially led to a steady decline in drug related incarceration, this trend reversed in 2024 following new measures to increase penalties for simple possession.
Today, prison overcrowding in Thailand remains largely driven by the overcriminalization of drug related activities, which has disproportionate impacts on marginalized communities, especially women.
The government has made efforts to shift its drug policy towards health and harm reduction.
However, the retention of criminal penalties for drug use and possession has led to a drug treatment system that remains overwhelmingly punitive.
It continues to rely on abstinence and normalizes practices that have resulted in human rights violations, including extortion, bribery, and physical or sexual abuse.
We call on the Special Rapporteur to continue to work closely with Thailand to implement a genuinely harm reduction approach to drug use with a commitment to engage meaningfully with communities directly affected by drug policies.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I call on Frontline Aids Limited for a joint statement.
Mr.
Vice President, Frontline Aids delivers this statement on behalf of a group of civil society organizations.
We welcome the Special Rapporteur's report and its clear message that health and dignity are inseparable.
The report affirms that the right to health is grounded in autonomy, equality, participation, accountability, and reminds us that dignity must guide health laws, policies, and services.
We strongly affirm the report's focus on criminalization as a structural driver of poor health outcomes across the HIV response and the broader landscape of sexual and reproductive health and rights.
We therefore support dismantling punitive legal frameworks, decriminalizing where criminal law obstructs access to essential services, and expanding evidence based harm reduction that upholds right, autonomy, and dignity.
We also welcome the report's emphasis on privacy and confidentiality, ensuring that health data is never used for policing or punishment, and that people can access healthcare without fear.
We thank the Special Rapporteur for placing dignity at the center of health system and advancing the rights of those left furthest behind.
We also extend our deep appreciation to doctor Talen Mufukn for her fulfilled mandate and her significant contributions to advancing reproductive justice, gender justice, and confronting the structural determinants of health.
Doctor T, your leadership has helped us ensure that dignity remains central to global health and human rights discussions.
Uli Kaw Sisi, we are thankful for you and all your service in the time of your tenure.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I call on China NGO network for international exchanges.
Mr.
President, the WHO Constitution clearly states that enjoying the highest standard of health is a basic human rights to everyone.
China always puts people first and makes protecting people's right to health a top priority.
As a urologist and the president of Beijing Xitang Hospital, I have personally seen and taken part in China's health care development.
Our hospital has launched a one patient service initiatively named Shi Tans.
We regularly help primary hospitals and share our experience in disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.
In addition, we use telemedicine and smart care care tools to break geographic limits.
So we call on all governments and civil society groups to strengthen international medical cooperation.
Let us work together to help everyone enjoy the best possible health.
Thank you.
You.
Thank you.
I call and medical aid to Palestinians.
Madam Special Rapporteur, we thank you for your important report which affirms that health and dignity are mutually reinforcing.
For Palestinians, both health and dignity are being systematically denied through occupation, apartheid, and genocide.
In Rz Israel's ongoing genocide has dismantled the healthcare system.
Hospitals, ambulances and infrastructure have been attacked and conditions have been imposed that deprive Palestinians of the determinants of health, including access to healthcare, food, water, sanitation, and sheltered.
In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem Israeli military raids, movement restrictions, settler attacks, and forcible displacement inflict physical and psychological harm on Palestinians while undermining access to healthcare and other essential services.
Palestinian healthcare workers continue to save lives while facing violence, obstruction, detention, and killing.
In the past decade, almost a quarter of all attacks on healthcare in countries in conflict globally have been committed in the OPT.
Madam Special Rapporteur, your report is clear.
States have obligations to respect, protect, and fulfill their right to health, and they must protect health care workers and their dignity and ensure accountability for attacks against them.
As such, states must take measures to put an end to Israel's genocide in Gaza and unlawful occupation, impose a comprehensive arms embargo on Israel, hold those responsible for violating international law to account and protect principled humanitarian action.
I thank you.
Thank you.
I call on Action Canada for Population and Development by video statement.
President.
Action Canada delivered this statement on behalf of the SRI.
We thank the special Reporter for this critical report, which rightly affirms that the right to health requires dignity as both a normative and practical standard.
State's obligations extend far beyond health coverage.
Healthcare must be available, accessible, acceptable, and of good quality.
Yet governments around the world continue to adopt laws, policies and practices that undermine these obligations.
We welcome the report's emphasis on the duty of states to refrain from measures at their own dignity.
Criminalization anti immigration policies, invassive surveillance, and restrictions on sexual and reproductive health and rights continue to exclude already marginalized communities.
For example, in countries across the SQ region, sex workers still face barriers to accessing health services.
In Canada, refugee claimants have been affected by the government's implementation of a co payment policy through the Interim Federal Health Program, creating additional obstacles to CRE.
We are particularly concerned that some states continue to resist recognizing the positive obligations arising from the right to life that directly impact the full realization of the right to health.
Without such obligations, dignity risks becoming an aspiration rather than an enforceable human rights guarantee.
As governments underfund public services, expand privatization and failed to support international technology transfer, held inequities deepen domestically and internationally.
We urge all states to fulfill their human rights obligations by investing in publicly funded health system and ensuring health care is delivered in a manner consistent with dignity, equality, and human rights.
Thank you.
Michel G.
Thank you.
I call on the T Stim Thank you.
Kamil Maha, President of the Al Association International and coordinator G of the network of Arab and Lebanese NGOs.
Over 1.2 million displaced persons in Lebanon because of the Israeli attacks and 100 villages raced to the ground.
There was a total violation of international human rights.
Of international humanitarian law.
But as regards healthcare, 230 institutions have been destroyed, four doctors and a nurse have been killed and 8100 people have been killed.
The breadth of this violation and its persistence call for an institutional response in line with the facts on the ground.
We call on the council to establish an international independent investigation mechanism on Lebanon with the necessary mandates to investigate violations of international law, identify perpetrators, and keep proof for future prosecutions.
And we call for a mission to Lebanon by the Special Rapporteur under her mandate.
Every day we see people hard hit by this crisis, seeking to uphold their dignity and we have the duty and the possibility to provide them with justice.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I call on the Center for Reproductive Rights for a joint statement.
Mr.
Vice President, we welcome the Special Rapporteur's report and its intersectional approach, reflecting that gender, age, age, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression, sex characteristics, socioeconomic status, and other factors shape, legal and social barriers, produce unequal health outcomes and determine whose autonomy and dignity are recognized in practice.
Support the finding that punitive laws remain a central obstacle to the right to health.
Criminalization of abortion, same sex relations, consensual adolescent sexuality, and HIV related conducted thirst, caretaking and entrenches, exclusion and violence against marginalized groups, including LBQT women who were denied confidential affirming and non discriminatory health care.
We welcome the imphasis on bodily autonomy and informed consent as central to dignity, particularly in reproductive health contexts where third party authorization requirements, legal capacity restrictions, and non consensual practices persist.
As this is her final report to the HRC, we take this opportunity to celebrate the incredible legacy of doctor T.
She has made clear the intersectional links between colonialism, racism, patriarchy, and power that expose the root causes of barriers to health and she has grounded the rigorous academic quality of her work in the lived experiences of the most impacted.
We deeply appreciate the contributions her analysis and tools have provided the global community.
It is now up to states to implement these critical guidance and truly real.
Thank you.
I call the International Planned Parenthood Federation.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President, doctor T, doctor Tal, the International Planned Parenthood Federation warmly welcomes your final report to the HRC on Health and Dignity, and we thank you for six years of courageous and principled work.
As highlighted, criminalization deters care seeking forces unsafe practices and falls hardest on those already marginalized women and girls, LGBTI persons, sex workers, people who use drugs and migrants.
Decriminalization is necessary for sexual and reproductive health, rights and justice to be realized.
Throughout your tenure, you grounded this mandate in an anti racist and anti colonial approach, exposing how racism and colonial legacies continue to shape health laws, systems, and outcomes.
We are proud to stand aligned with you.
We also commend your courage in documenting genocidal acts perpetrated in Gaza, where our own clinic was bombed and the principle stance you maintain in the face of coordinated attacks.
Finally, as a Federation of Service Providers, we are grateful for your sustained recognition of health and care workers as defenders of the right to health, deserving of protection, safe conditions, and a voice on the policies that govern their work.
Special Rapporteur, your legacy is an agenda for action.
We will carry it forward.
Thank you very much.
Gracias.
Thank you very much.
This was the final speaker we could accommodate in this dialogue.
I now give the floor to miss Muff King to provide some concluding remarks.
You have 8 minutes.
Thank you very much, Mr.
President.
Dear colleagues, I will give my closing remarks and start off with giving some answers to your questions and thank you very much for your interventions.
At both the clinical level as well as the level of health systems, and also importantly in underlying determinants of health, we must recognize equity and non discrimination as immediate obligations.
In order to do so, we have to ensure that we end direct discrimination and also indirect discrimination that may include laws or policies or practices that may somewhat look neutral, however, have a disproportionate or adverse impact on protected groups such as documentation requirements that may lead to exclusion of migrants, people experiencing homeless or internally displaced persons from care.
We must strengthen the conditions for dignified living as well by guaranteeing access to safe and adequate housing, food and water, safe working condition, as well as education.
We must protect the dignity and rights of health and care workers.
They are the ones who actually translate policy and human rights into tangible dignified care, which means that they must participate in policymaking and they must have human rights included and actually examined as part of their medical education and training.
It's important to view health care workers not just as defenders of the right to health, but as people who are critical for ensuring that the healing environment of patients is actually one that is dignified.
Some member states for my report, which is six pages of good practices, so I urge you to please have a look at those pages, have given examples of how they're exercising rights of people with disabilities, how at regional level up to 14 countries are doing community based mechanisms, and how some others have reported a reduction in stigma and discrimination through professional standardization and complaint mechanisms.
I urge you all to please give a mandate that is funded and resourced to your National Human Rights institution.
Mr.
President, as this is my last And final closing remarks as the UN Special Raportur on the right to Health.
I want to state very clearly that I stand with all oppressed people everywhere in the world, who are exploited, who are humiliated, who are brutalized, who are colonized.
I have fulfilled this mandate for six years viscerally aware and understand very much the compounding and the crushing weight and the structural nature of the violations that they face every single day.
An end to all forms of violence and specifically imperialist violence must remain the ultimate goal.
The generations that come after us and those that we are losing every single day to carelessness demand our ability to acknowledge our own blind spots as we sit in these rooms.
And so we must expand our concern and our capacity to care about oppression and exploitation of other people.
And it's only through a love ethic that makes this expansion possible.
I remain in deep unwavering solidarity with all of you.
And I want to particularly thank my family who have allowed me and carved time to allow me to do this work with diligence and conscientiousness for six years.
I want to acknowledge also the human rights officers who have supported this mandate, the junior, the JPOs and the interns, and every single stakeholder and interlocutor who have given parts of their time and effort.
This mandate of the right to health is especially stronger because of your work.
Dear colleagues and distinguished representatives, delegates, civil society, and stakeholders, it is through your cooperation that we are here today, a place where the right to health is and must be central to diplomacy to the peace and security agenda of the United Nations and the human rights agenda as we move forward.
It is the everyday actions, the decisions, and the everyday mundane.
It is in those moments that dignity is promoted and protected.
I also want to wish my successor well in her tenure or her tenure, his tenure, I wish that they will have continued cooperation from you in this room to ensure that everyone throughout the world can realize their right to health.
Adré Lord said that when you live on the edge of any structure, you have to know that survival is not theoretical.
And for many of us, survival is not theoretical.
And once you live on that level of survival as a daily reality, you learn that you have to critique the particulars of life all the time because any moment, anything can mean the end.
And in the face of fierce personal targeted attacks, incitement of violence against me, escalating into domestic spaces as professional harassment and intimidation, both in real life and in online spaces, I stand here today with very few answers to the grand scale of human suffering.
I bear witness, navigating life as a mandate holder on a very personal terms, and with the greatest humility, I submit to you that it is my hope that my tenure and my attempt has been worthy of the trust of the billions of people who continue to have in this mandate and more broadly in the mechanisms of the United Nations.
I hope that when we meet again in the future, I will not be writing about a pandemic or a genocide or violations of international human rights, but instead, that we would have collectively carved and love ethic that centers dignity for this council and its UN agencies.
I walked in here six years ago, an ordinary Black woman, a medical doctor, a child who survived a brutal apartheid regime from a rural town of Futhiba in Guagua South Africa.
I leave this podium in a few seconds.
It is time to make my way home in the margins where I belong and where I shall remain, delirious with possibility and with my dignity intact.
It's not much, but everything that I have had I have carved and I have resisted.
I put it all in these six years.
I hope through my tenure, the margins have become centered even by an inch.
Although I cannot tell you when, I cannot tell you how, but the people of the world win.
They win against exclusion, against intimidation, against racism and sexism.
They win against ableism and poverty and scarcity, criminalization and stigmatization.
Dignity will always win.
This present moment right now, though fleeting, it is the only tangible moment I carry forward with me after six years of service.
This has been an honor of a lifetime.
Mr.
President, distinguished representatives and delegates, for the very last time, thank you very much, Galgua.
Thank you.
This brings us to the end of this interactive dialogue.
Miss T Ling Mo Fu King, as your mandate as a special rapporteur comes to an end, I wish to take this opportunity to express on behalf of the council our deep gratitude for the 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 interactive dialogue with the special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
Excellencies, participants.
We shall now begin the interactive dialogue with the special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
Let me welcome the mandate Holrum is Irene Khan.
The list of speakers will close in 15 minutes.
I now give the floor to miss Khan to present the report.
Please go ahead.
Okay.
Thank you.
Mr.
President and distinguished delegates, friends, let me begin by thanking member states, civil society and international organizations for their support of my mandate, not just during the past year, but during the past six years as this is the last time that I will address this council.
It has been an honor to serve as special rapporteur and to engage with some of the most courageous human rights defenders, journalists, and digital rights champions.
The work was challenging but enormously satisfying.
I wish I could say that freedom of opinion and expression today is better protected than when I took up my mandate in 2020.
Unfortunately, the reverse is true.
The space for freedom of expression is shrinking dangerously as many states aided and abetted by new technologies are suppressing dissent and the corporate digital giants are manipulating online spaces to enrich themselves.
Let me highlight four factors that exploit the vulnerabilities of freedom of expression in the digital age.
Firstly, digital revolution has been transformative, but at significant social cost, which is borne not by those who profit from it, but by women threatened by online violence, children whose health and safety are endangered online, journalists whose livelihoods are destroyed by platforms who refuse to share value, and the public whose capacity to form independent opinions is degraded by information environments polluted by hate and lies.
AI is running a mock.
From the highly political to the deeply personal, nothing is out of bounds for new technologies.
Public trust in information integrity is at an all time low, yet most governments promote AI as a driver for economic growth and downplay its risks.
Innovation at speed with no human rights gogils is a recipe for disaster.
Secondly, the staggering asymmetry of state and corporate power.
The reach, resources, and influence of large platforms far outstrip that of most governments.
Major decisions impacting the rights of billions of people are being made by a handful of big tech companies and oligarchs who are accountable to no democratic process, subject to no meaningful oversight and often face no consequences for their harmful actions.
Such asymmetry of power challenges the human rights model in which states have the primary obligation to protect their citizens against corporate harm.
The line between the regulator and the regulated, the protector and the predator has been blurred, especially where states themselves are also unlawfully restricting freedom of expression.
Let me add that the regulation of the digital sector is challenging, not only because of corporate power and greed, but also because of the impulse of many states to misuse their regulatory authority to censor online speech.
That brings me to the third factor, the backsliding of states on freedom of expression.
Increasingly populist governments and political leaders are weaponizing freedom of expression to incite violence, discrimination, and hostilities against those most vulnerable in society and silence minority voices.
Governments, including liberal democracies, are increasingly using counterterrorism and other criminal laws to suppress dissenting voices and peaceful protests.
Global Internet freedom is shrinking, online information manipulation by states is rising.
The fourth factor is the rupture of international cooperation and the erosion of international law.
Protection of freedom of expression requires states to work together to uphold international human rights law.
Instead, we see an alignment of geopolitical and corporate interests to undermine freedom of expression.
When the world's most powerful government asserts its political and economic weapons, from tariffs to sanctions to dissuade other states from regulating its digital platforms and AI companies, then freedom of expression becomes fodder for geopolitics, a commodity for trade.
Freedom of opinion and expression, a fundamental inalienable human right, has been privatized, monetized, manipulated, and unlawfully restricted.
Despite this grim assessment, I remain optimistic that change is possible.
I'm encouraged by the creativity of civil society and their courage and the good state practices that I mentioned in my report.
So what can we do to ensure healthy, pluralistic, quality information spaces? My first recommendation is broad coalition building of states, international organizations, civil society, experts and activists to confront powerful interests and uphold the fundamental principles of the right to freedom of opinion and expression.
States must neither seek to legitimize prohibited speech nor prohibit legitimate expression.
Secondly, institutional counterweights should be strengthened to resist both corporate and state capture of freedom of expression.
Regulation must be rooted in international human rights law, regulators must be well resourced and independent of political influence, and robust data protection must be in place.
Thirdly, reducing our reliance on large companies must become a high priority.
States must work together to design and adopt measures that break the monopolistic grip of big tech and its oligarchs.
Fourthly, states must create an enabling environment for independent, diverse, and pluralistic media by protecting journalism from the negative effects of the platform economy and by ensuring the safety of journalists.
Last but not the least, green shoots are sprouting of good community and state practices from novel regulatory approaches to alternative information spaces.
States and international community should invest in them.
Now, let me turn to my country visit to Germany.
I thank the federal, state, and local authorities and civil society for facilitating my visit.
I appreciated the frank, serious, and thoughtful engagement of all stakeholders, even where our viewpoints differed.
Freedom of opinion and expression, including academic and artistic freedom, enjoy strong constitutional protection in Germany, backed by an independent judiciary, diverse civil society, and independent media.
However, there are some serious concerns about freedom of expression, including a polarized political landscape in which anti Semitism, anti Muslim hatred, and other forms of hate speech and incitement of violence against minorities and migrants have surged.
I detected starkly different perspectives, especially among political parties, about what constitutes freedom of expression, as well as manipulation of information to feed fear and uncertainty.
Not surprisingly, many people from across the political, social, and ethnic spectrum told me they feel uncomfortable about expressing their views in public spaces.
The officials shared with me their conviction that given Germany's history of violent extremism, the defense of democracy requires the criminalization of certain forms of expression.
Nevertheless, I am concerned about the overly broad use of criminal laws to stifle legitimate political discourse and undermine public trust in the very democratic values and institutions that the government is seeking to protect.
I am disturbed by the use of counterterrorism laws to suppress peaceful expression of public support for Palestinian rights or climate activism, and the knock on effect on academic freedom and artistic freedom on those issues.
Broad laws and vaguely defined malleable policy terms also heighten the risk of executive overreach.
Although the authorities have drawn lessons on policing and protests since October 2023, the changes are uneven and insufficient.
I commend the government for its commitment and action to combat anti Semitism.
I encourage the government to also address urgently the rising tide of anti Muslim and other forms of hatred.
I call on the government to establish an independent commission to investigate complaints, draw lessons, encourage good practices, and rebuild trust between communities and authorities.
I strongly urge the government to review its criminal and security oriented approach and to adopt the guidance provided by the Rabat plan of action on non criminal calibrated responses.
It is also vital that international obligations are not undermined by non binding policy recommendations.
I encourage the academic and artistic institutions to uphold their autonomy and freedom without discrimination or undue restrictions.
All stakeholders, from civil society to state officials, including myself, are looking to the higher courts in Germany to provide legal certainty and guidance on balancing competing interests underlying freedom of expression.
But courts alone cannot solve all problems relating to freedom of expression in Germany.
That will require a whole of state and society approach, and my mandate forwards, looks forward to working with the German government and other stakeholders on those and other objectives.
Finally, let me just use 1 minute to refer to my second appendix, the guidelines on strengthening the protection of journalists and working in armed conflict.
These guidelines highlight the concurrent application of international human rights law, as well as international humanitarian law in conflict situations.
This is a practical policy normative guidance for practitioners as well as policymakers, as well as the media itself.
I believe the clear articulation and analysis of international standards and practices will improve the protection of journalists and will also help us to tackle impunity for crimes against journalists, garner public support, contribute to advocacy, and stimulate the political will of states and other key stakeholders to address this critical issue.
It's a living document open to revision in light of experience, and I look forward to working with all stakeholders to ensure its effective implementation.
Thank you.
Thank you very much to miss Khan.
According to our practice, we shall start by hearing the delegation of the country concerned.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Germany.
You have 5 minutes.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President, Madam Special Rapporteur.
Germany would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for her visit.
It was marked by constructive and intensive exchanges held in Berlin and across Germany.
We are glad that you were able to meet high ranking government officials on both the federal level and in the federal states, but also, for instance, the presidents of our two highest courts.
As with all special procedures, Germany grants a standing invitation and respects the mandated special Rapporteurs independence.
Germany remains a steadfast supporter of freedom of opinion and of expression as universal human rights.
These are prerequisites for democratic and free societies.
They are anchored in the German basic law, Article 5, and defended in by our judiciary.
Germany continuously works towards safeguarding these rights against new challenges, including potential threats to free speech and democratic discourse as posed by AI or illegal hate speech.
Germany therefore actively supports the consistent enforcement of the EU Digital Services Act.
This European law precisely addresses the systemic risks described in your reports, such as the development of online spaces that foster manipulation and incitement.
The same applies to the implementation and enforcement of the EU AI Act, which is designed to mitigate the risks posed by AI.
Welcome the Special Rapporteur's reflections on the role of our institutions.
We have had to learn the value of strong and stable institutions such as the Constitution A Court from our own history.
Germany also protects the freedom of the media and of the press derivatives of these rights.
As outgoing co chair of the Media Freedom online Coalition, we will sustain our efforts to protect these freedoms worldwide.
It is in this spirit that we will carefully review the thoughtful report and engage with its recommendations.
For instance, we have already begun advocating for fair competitive conditions, ensuring a level playing field between traditional media and platform providers of the EU and national levels.
This would facilitate preserving a public information space where diverse and independent media can survive financially.
Reports rightly stress freedom of opinion and of expression is indeed facing tremendous challenges in a disruptive digital age.
Bots, disinformation, surveillance, synthetic media.
Many of these developments have overwhelming and unpredictable efforts, effects worldwide, while effective and targeted regulatory responses require time and our sustained attention.
Germany remains engaged in this ongoing feat.
We call on everyone to effectively craft the responses needed to protect freedom of opinion and of expression under threat.
Finally, we thank the Special Rapporteur for her valuable work throughout her mandate, including, for instance, reporting on social media platforms and elections.
We look forward to working constructively with her successor.
Thank you.
Gracia.
Thank you very much, Ambassador.
The list of speakers is now closed.
I now invite interested delegations ask questions to the Special Rapporteur and to make comments on her reports.
The speaking time is 1 minute, 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 give the floor first to the distinguished representative of Finland on behalf of a group of countries.
Mr.
President, I have the honor to speak on behalf of Finland and the United Kingdom, the co chairs of Media Freedom Coalition.
The coalition brings together 51 countries, civil society, legal experts, international bodies, as well as journalists and media workers to strengthen their rights to freedom of expression and opinion.
We thank the special rapporteur for her report and dedicated work throughout her tenure.
In conflict settings, independent journalism is particularly critical.
Journalists can keep people safe by providing information on unfolding conflicts.
During conflicts, independent media provides timely information critical for the communities affected.
Factual, timely reporting can save lives and livelihoods.
A free, independent, pluralistic media can help achieve peace and sustain it.
Special Rapporteur Khan, how can we best work together to strengthen the conditions for free media? I thank you.
M.
Thank you.
I call on the distinguished representative of Latvia on behalf of a group of countries.
Mr.
Vice President, the Nordic Baltic States thank the Special Rapporteur for her report and dedicated work.
We reiterate our strong support for the mandate.
We share the Rapporteur's concern that the rapid advance of new technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and algorithm driven platforms is increasingly affecting the right to freedom of opinion and expression and how individuals form their opinions.
The global information environment has become a contemporary frontline where the digital threats to freedom of expression, such as the manipulation of information and the amplification of disinformation are endangering human safety and weakening the very foundations of democracy.
While acknowledging the opportunities offered by digital technologies, we are alarmed by the surge in weaponization of online spaces by states and non state actors to narrow the space for freedom of expression.
We call for strengthening of responses to mitigate the harmful potential of digital technologies to freedom of expression.
Nordic Baltic states remain committed to protection of information spaces and ensuring transparency and accountability.
We will continue to actively contribute to tackling the challenges to freedom of opinion and expression in this digital age.
Madam Special Reporter, what action should states prioritize when addressing the digital threats to freedom of expression.
Thank you.
Mt Gracias.
Thank you.
I call on the distinguished Representative of Canada on behalf of the group of countries.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
I am pleased to deliver the statement on behalf of the core group on freedom of opinion and expression comprised of Brazil, Fiji, Namibia, the Netherlands, Sweden, and my own country, Canada.
Thank you, Special Rapporteur, for your steadfast leadership over the past six years in advancing respect for freedom of opinion and expression.
Your principled guidance has been invaluable amid profound global shifts, particularly amid escalating threats to the rights of vulnerable groups, including women and girls.
Report on the influence of big technology companies on freedom of opinion and expression raises important considerations about the need to regulate and augment accountability efforts.
Coalition building and multi stakeholder partnerships are essential to protecting human rights and fostering an open, free, and secure Internet and information environment.
Increasingly, states justify restrictions on expression through overly vague legal invocations that fail to meet human rights principles.
Unduly restrictive laws, limited transparency, and expensive surveillance powers restrain lawful speech, particularly for human rights defenders, journalists, and persons in exile.
These challenges are further intensified by repressive activities abroad by states or their proxies, including through the use of digital technologies or the employment of physical or psychological intimidation to silence dissent across borders.
Special apoeur, what steps can actors take to ensure content governance by digital platforms contributes to the full enjoyment of the right of freedom of opinion and expression.
Thank you.
Mi Gracias.
Thank you, Michael.
The European Union.
Vice President welcomes the S Rapporteur's final report.
We thank her for her work over the years as her mandate comes to an end.
As this council has reaffirmed many times, the right to freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to seek, access, and impart information and ideas of all kinds, is one of the essential foundations of democratic, peaceful, and inclusive societies.
In an increasingly digital world, this right remains indispensable for the protection of all human rights, the functioning of democratic institutions, and meaningful public participation.
However, the manipulation of information online, the amplification of disinformation, misinformation and hate speech pose significant risks to the integrity of the information and to the enjoyment of human rights.
Therefore, the EU is working closely with its member states, international organizations, private sector, and civil society to promote and protect freedom of expression online and offline.
This includes supporting independent and pluralistic media, protecting journalists and human rights defenders against threats and attacks, including transnational and advancing human rights based approach to digital technologies and AI.
Madam Sash Rapporteur, what are the most effective measures we can take to ensure that digital platforms and AI technologies support freedom of expression? I thank you.
Michel.
Thank you.
Nicole Lithuania on behalf of the group of countries.
Thank you, Mr.
President.
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Lublin Wrangle States, Poland, Ukraine, and Lithuania.
We thank Special Rapporteur for her report.
Freedom of opinion and expression is vital for protecting all human rights.
While the words new frontiers in the title of the report evokes artificial intelligence and rising new technologies, for most Ukrainians residing in temporary occupied territories, new frontiers, I use this with inverted commas, has a brutal literal meaning.
People once living peacefully in their hometowns now face systematic silencing, censorship, digital surveillance, and the prohibition of the use of the Ukrainian language.
Speaking out against Russia's war of aggression results in severe penalties.
Mr.
President, since the 2022, Russia's full scale attack, at least 21 journalists have been killed, 53 injured, and 26 remain detained by Russia.
We welcome your new guidelines on the protection of journalists working in armed conflicts.
They are as relevant as ever.
We commend the courage of those who continue to report from Ukraine and other war zones worldwide.
Madam Rapporteur, what measures in your opinion are most effective in ensuring accountability for crimes against journalists and ending the persistent culture of impunity.
I thank you.
Thank you.
Nicole On Kenya, on behalf of the Group of African States.
Mr.
Vice President, the Africa Group thanks the Special Rapporteur for the presentation of her report and takes note of the analysis and recommendations.
The Africa Group reaffirms its commitment to the promotion and protection of the right of freedom of opinion and expression, which constitutes an essential pillar of civic participation, democratic governance, and sustainable development.
We recognize that the new technologies, including artificial intelligence, offer significant opportunities for access to information and inclusion.
However, they also give rise to growing challenges related to information manipulation, disinformation, hate speech, online violence, and other concentration of digital power.
In this regard, the Africa Group underscores the importance of ensuring that technological developments remain transparent, accountable, and consistent with international human rights standards.
We also recall the need to continue efforts aimed at reducing inequalities in access to digital technologies, notably through enhanced international cooperation and strengthen national capacities.
The Africa Group also recognizes the important role played by journalists and media professionals in informing the public, particularly in situations of conflict and crisis.
The safety and protection in accordance with international law remain essential for ensuring access to reliable information and fostering informed public discourse.
I thank you.
Michel.
Thank you.
I call on Pakistan on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
OIC group welcomes the special are and thanks her for the presentation of the mandates report and guidelines.
These contributions lay bare the power asymmetries, that silence journalism, and manipulate information.
Nowhere is this clearer than in the occupied Palestinian territory, Lebanon and elsewhere in the region where Israel has killed nearly 300 journalists in the past three years.
The occupying powers approach is a coordinated assault on the freedom to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas.
This includes longstanding restrictions on journalism in the OPT and the arbitrary detention and torture of countless Palestinian journalists from a pattern and underscored by the targeted killings of journalists and repeated attacks and broadcasters.
Controlling media narrative is central to this assault.
Segments of the media systematically dehumanize and stigmatize Palestinians or Muslims, framing them as terrorists, an existential threat or anti RIS justify the unjustifiable.
Persistent Islamophobic or racist stereotypes are an ideological underpinning that enables the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people.
Madam Reporteur, In addition to grassroots approaches outlined in your report, what specific steps would you recommend for the international community to dismantle the power asymmetries and hate fueled biases that enable impunity for illegal attacks on journalists? I thank you.
Thank you.
I call on Austria on behalf of the group of countries.
Thank you.
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the members of the group of friends on the safety of journalists.
We welcome the special rapporteurs guidelines on the protection of journalists working in armed conflict.
These journalists and media workers risk their lives to ensure that to ensure that the world bears witness.
They are vital for accountability, preserving the historical record and providing civilians in conflict zones with critical, often lifesaving information.
Yet attacks against them continue with alarming frequency.
According to UNSCO, 186 journalists were killed while covering conflict and war 2022-2026 and 2025, a 67 increase compared to the previous reporting period.
Shockingly, 85% of cases remain unresolved and unpunished.
We urge all parties to armed conflicts to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
Journalists are civilians and must be protected as such.
Any deliberate targeting must be recognized as a war crime and prosecuted accordingly.
We stand ready to work with all stakeholders to translate these guidelines into effective protection on the ground.
A free and independent press is not a privilege.
It is a prerequisite for peace, justice and accountability.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I call on Switzerland.
Thank you, Vice President of Switzerland.
Thanks to Special Rapporteur for her report and for the guidelines.
The letter comes at a time when the number of journalists killed, injured, and detained in armed conflict remains alarming.
Switzerland supports any effort to strengthen their protection, particularly as regards local journalists, whose work is essential for documenting violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law and who are often the most at risk.
We support the emphasis on the simultaneous application of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
We recall that journalists are protected by international humanitarian law as civilians and as all parties to a conflict, state and non state have the obligation to respect and protect them.
Their access to conflict zones is essential.
Like you, Switzerland delares the large scale Internet shutdowns which are incompatible with the right to freedom of expression.
They have a disproportionate impact on the civilian population and prevent journalists from working, including hindering the documentation of violations and thus fostering impunity.
Madam Special Raporteur in view of the continuing impunity for crimes against journalists, could you Elaborate on your recommendations concerning the investigative mechanisms and courses of action that the Human Rights Council could mobilize to this end.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I call on the distinguished representative of North Macedonia.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
North Macedonia thanks the Special Rapporteur for her report and is grateful for her work in the past six years.
We reaffirm the freedom of opinion and expression is the fundamental pillar of democracy and the protection of human rights, both online and offline.
It is particularly concerning that freedom of expression is in decline in 44 states as underscored by the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
We also take note of the three key trends highlighted in your report that are reshaping the global landscape of freedom of expression.
We share concerns about the growing concentration of power among digital platforms and the increasing convergence of state and corporate interests.
This may adversely affect and further shrink the space of independent voices and civic participation.
At the same time, we welcome your AAR approach as a constructive way forward.
We stress that the regulation of the digital environment and emerging technologies, including AI, must be transparent, proportionate, and fully consistent with international human rights law.
North Macedonia also underlines the importance of addressing disinformation while safeguards media independence and protecting vulnerable groups, particularly women and children.
In conclusion, we call for strengthened international cooperation to ensure that technologies progress and remain human rights centered, inclusive, and accountable.
Thank you.
Thank you.
I call on the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Vice President, the Kingdom of the Netherlands aligned itself with the EU statement, and we congratulate the Special Rapporteur for her work championing the fundamental rights of freedom of expression during the six years of her tenure.
Thank you for continuously drawing much needed attention to freedom of expression and thank you for addressing new and emerging ways in which the right to expression and access to information are threatened.
Mr.
Vice President, the rapid rise and adoption of artificial intelligence falsely reshapes the information environment and the ways in which individuals can express themselves and access trustworthy and unbiased information.
This harms their individual human rights and promotes and promotion of democratic values.
Furthermore, independent journalism is under increasing pressure.
Not only are business models for media organizations becoming unsustainable, journalists are actively targeted for their work.
Especially in conflict situations such as Ukraine, Sudan, and Gaza.
We have seen unprecedented number of journalists killed while doing their work.
Madam Special Rapporteur, which pathways are under explored by the international community to close the impunity gap for crimes against journalists, as well as to fully protect the right to freedom of expression and to guarantee the access to factual, unbiased information.
I thank you.
Grass.
Thank you.
I call on India.
Mr.
Vice President, over the past decade, digital media has empowered citizens in unprecedented ways.
They have also become vectors for misinformation and divisive content.
The SR's report, while raising pertinent issues reflects a persistent pattern of bias where India is concerned and contradicts itself in significant ways.
It flags corporate failures to apply child sensitive and human rights based policies.
It finds issue with state laws enacted to strengthen accountability.
It expresses concern over the unchecked rise in hate speech, it brands government responses as collusion and coaptation.
The judicial president, noted in the report, echoes what SR herself acknowledged in paragraph 33 of the report.
Fundamental reports freedoms are not absolute and accompanied by reasonable restrictions.
The platform Shake facilitates the removal or disabling of access to information such as cybercrimes, child exploitation, fake news, among others, and was found to be a legitimate mechanism to combat cybercrime by the High Court of India.
So Vice President, India possesses a robust legal and institutional framework, guaranteeing freedom of expression under Article 19 of our Constitution.
The IT Act is regularly updated to ensure transparency, accountability, and protection against hate speech while building institutional capacity to counter misinformation.
Our regulations are clear, precise, and proportionate and provide a three tie grievance redress mechanism enabling citizens to hold governments accountable.
Characterizing these well intentioned measures as censorship is not just disingenuous, but a lazy argument.
We reiterate a commitment to freedom of expression by fostering constructive dialog in our society.
Thank you, Vice President, Motel Grass.
Thank you.
I call on the Russian Federation.
Thank you, Vice President.
We read with interest the report of miss Khan where she raises the topic of the merger of state power and digital corporations in order to manipulate information space.
Unfortunately, political censorship and monopoly control remained the norm for digital platforms controlled by the US administration, in particular, YouTube.
These are systematically cleaning up the information space, starting with the accounts of Russian federal and regional media, YouTube then moved on to blocking the accounts of Russian state authorities, public figures, journalists and bloggers.
Once again, we would like to draw your attention to the outrageous situation regarding the exercise of the rights of freedom of expression that's developed in the Baltic states.
Public figures and human rights defenders who have the courage to speak out in defense of the rights and interests of the Russian speaking population in these countries are subjected to intimidation and repression.
We're concerned about the fate of Latvian public figure Aleksandra Kopano who was sentenced by court in Latvia to ten years in prison just for participating in one of the round tables of no less concern is the situation affecting Latvian human rights activist Victor Gushin who's been under arrest since mid December 2025 for publishing articles on Russian Internet resources.
Once more, we call on the Special Rapporteur and other special procedures of the Human Rights Council to give a public and adequate assessment of such actions by Latvia.
I thank you.
Charles Gracias.
Thank you.
I call on the distinguished representative of Türkiye.
Mr.
Vice President, we thank the Special Reporteur and welcome her visit report.
As the Special Rapporteur highlights, the graves threat to the freedom of expression today is the converge of power between dominant states and the large tech companies.
We share her alarm at the weaponization of free speech to legitimize hatred against migrants, women and minorities at decriminalization of legitimate advocacy, mostly the repression of propalian expression in several Western democracies, which report not mirror patterns seen in authoritarian states.
This concern is born out within Europe itself.
The federal authorities in Switzerland have recently reported that intolerant discourse against Muslim in the country, particularly in the media has dramatically increased, even as the number of anti Muslim instance has an inclination to escalate in various aspects of social social life.
This climate has been enforced by laws adopted by several continent and local authorities, a ban on headscarves for teachers, measures to prohibit female puppets from wearing headscarves, and wiming costumes restrictions that exclude Muslim women from public domains.
Penalizing women for what they wear narrows the scope of freedom of expression and belief which this council exists to protect.
In Iceland, it is reported that authorities have been urged to confront hate speech against minors and asylum seekers, especially online amid a persistent failure even to record such cases.
We call for upholding all human rights everywhere without double standards.
Thank you.
Michelle.
Thank you.
On Belgium.
Mr.
Vice President, Belgium thanks the Special Rapporteur for her report and tenure.
We take note of the report's emphasis on the transformative impact of digital technologies, platforms, and companies that enable expression while at the same time creating new and powerful ways to harm, thereby narrowing the space for freedom of opinion and expression.
Belgium is deeply concerned by the rise of technology facilitated gender based violence, increasingly targeting women journalists, human rights defenders, and other civil society actors, which has a chilling effect on media freedom and public debate.
Support your call for stronger rights based governance frameworks of AI and digital technologies, as well as robust and independent judiciaries and regulators that put the protection of human rights at their core and focus on transparency and accountability.
As a member of the Media Freedom Coalition, Belgium works with partners at home and abroad to defend journalists safety, combat impunity, and uphold a free and independent press as a cornerstone of democracy.
We hope the forthcoming guidelines on strengthening the protection of journalists working in armed conflicts will contribute to enhancing concrete protection measures and accountability for crimes against journalists in this context.
Madam Special Reporter, what are the most pressing steps the international community should take to build a global strategy to overcome this crisis of expression? I thank you.
Thank you.
I call on the State of Palestine.
Mr.
Vice President, the State of Palestine thanks the Special Rapporteur for her presentation, work, and principled voice in defending rights throughout her tenure.
At a time of growing polarization and hostility, the reports remind us that attacks on freedom of expression occurred not only through censorship, but also through violence, restrictions on access to information, and the criminalization of legitimate advocacy.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the OPT.
Gaza has become one of the deadliest environments in the world for journalists and media workers.
While throughout the OPT, they continue to face harassment, intimidation, reprisal, detention, restrictions on movement, attacks on media infrastructure, and even willful killing.
These attacks increasingly extend to their families, creating a climate of fear that undermines press freedom and the public's right to know.
We are equally concerned by the continued restrictions on independent access for foreign journalists to Gaza will further obstruct the free flow of information and prevent independent reporting on the situation on the ground.
Beyond the OPT, we share the SRs concern regarding the growing scrutinization and criminalization of advocacy for Palestinian rights.
Conflating criticism of Israeli policies and peaceful solidarity with anti Semitism, extremism, an terrorism, restricting peaceful protests, and invoking security narratives to suppress expression have a chilling effect on democratic debate and on civic space.
Mr.
Vice President, the guidelines presented can serve as an important tool in strengthening accountability for those violations and crimes, protecting freedom of expression and advancing justice, human rights, and lasting peace.
I thank you.
Charles.
Thank you.
I call on Unesco for video statement.
First, distinguished delegates, Madam Special Reporter, as the UN agency mandated to promote the free flow of ideas by word and image, Unesco is honored to take part in this session.
Let me begin by expressing our sincere appreciation to misses Cirencan for her sustained leadership and commitment over the years.
Freedom of expression is under unprecedented pressure.
UNSCO latest world trends report shows a 10% global decline since 2012 and a 60% rise in self censorship among journalists.
These trends point to shrinking civic space and growing risks for journalists, both online and offline.
UNESCO's mandate is both normative and operational, setting international standards, supporting member states in their implementation, and strengthening the institutions that safeguard media freedom and access to information.
This session is a timely opportunity for shared commitments to be reaffirmed, implementation gaps identified and collective responsibility translated into action.
UNESCO is a solid partner in facing these challenges, working alongside all of you to advance this shared mandate.
Wishing you successful discussions, I thank you for your attention.
Thank you.
I call on the Czech Republic, Cia.
Vice President, the Czech Republic aged with the State of the EU.
We welcome the special Reporter's report on the freedom of opinion and expression in the context of new digital technologies.
We thank her for her long term work and appreciate the commitment with which she performed her mandate.
Support for freedom of expression and independent media is among the long term priorities of the Czech foreign policy and an integral part of our response to the current hybrid threats and disinformation campaigns.
Unfortunately, technological threats are just the tip of an iceberg of growing challenges that independent and pluralistic media must face both in Europe and globally.
They operate in increasingly dangerous conditions, both in conflict zones and beyond.
In countries as Russia, independent journalists and media workers are increasingly being subjected to threats and attacks, including online and offline harassment.
The introduction of Internet shutdowns in Russia leads to even greater restrictions of freedom of opinion and expression, not only in Russia, but also in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.
Madam Special Reporter, could you elaborate on the most effective measures that states can take to ensure accountability for weaponizing and criminalizing freedom of expression? I thank you.
Thank you.
Michael on Ireland.
Ireland aligns with the statement of the EU and thanks the Special Rapporteur for her report.
As the Special Rapporteur has highlighted, new frontiers have emerged in the way we communicate and share ideas.
Ireland notes the transformative potential of emerging digital technologies, including AI and supporting social and political participation.
However, we are concerned that without the necessary human rights safeguards, such technologies can negatively affect the right to freedom of expression.
Particular, the deployment of AI and online content moderation without human oversight and its ability to amplify and rapidly disseminate this information seriously undermines the integrity of the information landscape.
This impacts the crucial work of journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society organizations.
Women, LGBTQI plus persons, and migrants are also disproportionately affected.
Ireland is committed to building societal resilience to disinformation and enabling a trustworthy information environment.
In 2025, Ireland launched its national counter disinformation strategy, which centers on empowering individuals to engage critically with information, media, and technology.
Ireland looks forward to engaging actively in the global dialogue on AI governance, advocating for the importance of a human centric, human rights based, multi stakeholder and inclusive approach in order to uphold fundamental freedoms.
Special rapportour, how can states support their citizens, particularly children and young people in developing AI literacy for stronger democracies.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
I recognize the distinguished representative.
I recognize China.
Mr.
Vice President, the miss Kan in her report to the council has used disinformation and fabricated lies and rumors about the Hong Kong national security law making unwarranted attacks and smears against China.
Such acts run counter to the code of conduct for special procedures and the principles and purposes of the UN charter.
We firmly oppose this.
The Chinese government attaches great importance to the protection of the freedom of speech and in accordance with the law respects and safeguards the right of our citizens to hold different opinions while giving full play to the oversight role of the news media and the public.
However, some Western countries under the pretext of freedom of press and speech have spread false information to attack and smear China While turning a blind eye to actions to resist and undermine freedom of speech in their own countries, this is typical double standards.
We urge them to reflect on their own situation and stop interfering in other countries internal affairs under the pretext of freedom of speech.
We hope that the Special Rapporteur will not heed unsubstantiated allegations and will carry out her duties in a fair and objective manner.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Thank you very much.
I recognize the distinguished representative of Nigeria.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Nigeria, thanks Special Rapportur for the report.
Nigeria reaffirms its commitment to freedom of opinion and expression as guaranteed under our constitution and reflected in the ICCPR and the African Charter.
We also recognize both the opportunities and challenges presented by digital technologies and artificial intelligence.
We agree that freedom of expression remains essential for democratic governance, accountability, and sustainable development, and that digital technology should not be used arbitrarily to restrict lawful expression.
In this regard, Nigeria continues to strengthen its domestic frawork through Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 and its commission alongside reforms to our cyber governance framework aimed at enhancing privacy, data protection, transparency and accountability.
We also know the report's positive reference to Nigeria's vibrant and evolving digital media landscape.
Nigeria notes with concern that certain concepts and interpretations in the report reflect evolving perspectives on social, cultural, and ethical issues on which no intergovernmental consensus exists.
We therefore caution against presenting non consensus concepts or interpretation as established international human rights obligations.
Finally, Nigeria recalls that under international law, the exercise of the freedom of expression carries with it special duties and responsibilities, particularly regarding the protection of national security, public order, and public safety.
Digital governance framework should therefore respect this permissible legal frameworks and avoid a one size fits all approaches.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Thank you very much.
I recognize the distinguished representative of Togo.
Thank you, Vice President.
Togo thanks the Special Rapporteur for her report which highlights the implications of the digital revolution on freedom of expression opinion.
We hail the considerable progress that the digital revolution has brought in the exercise on freedom of expression and opinion in the world.
These days, the Internet and social networks offer unprecedented opportunities to access to information as well as for citizens to express their opinion.
However, this digital era presents also challenges and considerable threats, which include disinformation, hate speech, online harassment and intolerance.
This is why Togo has brought about deep seated reforms to guarantee a open and safe digital environment, in particular through adopting a legislative framework on cyber safety and personal data protection whilst preserving fundamental freedoms.
Togo underscores that the safety of digital spaces as framework that are ripe for freedom of expression opinion must be based on the principle of accountability for all actors concerned by digital governance, including the private sector, digital platforms, and civil society.
We also need to take into account the need to have an inclusive dialogue with all these stakeholders to reduce the digital divide.
I thank you, Vice President.
Yes.
Thank you very much.
I recognize the distinguished representative of Afghanistan.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
We thank the Special Reporter for her work and for her report.
A full version of this statement will be uploaded to the Eternate.
We remain deeply alarmed by the systematic dismantling of freedom of expression in Afghanistan where women have been silenced most severely.
Under the Taliban, women journalists are not merely banned from official events and forbidden to work in offices.
A woman's voice itself is treated as something private to be coned.
In several provinces, no women remain in the media at all.
Radio stations have ceased broadcasting women's vices and books authored by women have been withdrawn from universities.
This seats within a wider assault on independent media.
Since 2021, journalists have faced arbitrary detention, torture, and censorship.
Intelligence and morality authorities have contained prior to publication and several provinces banned image of living beings.
In late 2025, the Taliban blocked the Internet and social media and the new criminal P code criminalizing criticism of the leadership treatings to entrench this repression further.
Journalists who flee abroad live in fear of forced return and persecution.
Madam Special Reporter, what concrete measures can the international community take to deter the enforcement of the new criminal procedures code and to ensure the women journalists in Afghanistan are not arrested entirely from public life.
I thank you.
Michelle Gracias.
Thank you very much.
I recognize the distinguished representative of Malawi.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Malawi thanks the Special Rapportur on her final report and commends her distinguished tenure championing freedom of opinion and expression as a cornerstone of democracy and the sustainable government.
Malawi shares the Special Rapportur's grave concern that the convergence of state power and the corporate oigogue shrinking the space of free expression.
The symmetry of power between a handful of technology giants and governments of the global majority leaves our citizens subject to information involvement they neither govern nor can adequately regulate.
Malawi recognizes this challenge directly.
As digital platforms expand largely across Malawi, they bring significant opportunity for development and civic participation.
Malawi notes, however, that the governance frameworks for these platforms are largely shaped without meaningful input from global majority and underscores the sustainable digital governance that must be inclusive with resource states having a genuine seat at the table in shaping the norms that governs the information environment.
Malawi calls on states, international organizations, and digital platforms to ensure governance frameworks for artificial intelligence and social media are grounded in international human rights law, inclusive of voices from the global majority and underpinned by independent, well resource regulatory bodies.
I thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Gracias.
Thank you very much.
I recognize the distinguished representative of Slovakia.
Mr.
Vice President, Slovakia aligned itself with the statement delivered by the European Union and thanks to the Special Rapporteur for her final report and dedicated work on the protection of freedom of opinion and expression.
Slovakia welcomed the reports focus on the opportunities and risks linked to digital technologies and AI.
As digital transformation continues to shape our societies, innovation must respect human rights, democratic values, and the rule of law.
We reaffirm that freedom of expression, media freedom, and access to information are core elements of democratic societies.
At the same time, we recognize the growing challenges related to online safety, the integrity of information spaces, and the impact of digital technologies on vulnerable groups.
Slovakia supports effort to enhance transparency and accountability of digital platforms and AI systems.
While safeguarding an open, free and diverse information environment.
Regulatory approaches should be firmly grounded in international human rights law and accompanied by appropriate safeguards and independent oversight.
Slovakia remains committed to promoting and protecting freedom of expression, both online and offline and to supporting initiatives that strengthen human rights in the digital age.
I thank you for your attention.
Michelle.
Thank you very much.
I give the floor to the distinguished representative of the United Kingdom.
Mr.
Vice President, we thank the Special Rapporteur for her important work and today's report.
We commend her dedication throughout her mandate, during which she has been a principled and authoritative voice for the protection of freedom of expression worldwide.
We express our deep appreciation for her leadership, independence, and consistent defense of journalists, human rights defenders, and open civic space.
We remain committed to the right to freedom of opinion and expression online and offline, including through our role as co chair of the Media Freedom Coalition.
This right is foundational to democratic societies, accountability, and the protection of all other human rights.
Digital platforms and large technology companies play an increasingly significant role in shaping public debate.
Their decisions have profound implications for access to information, media pluralism, and the safety of users.
We therefore support efforts to promote greater transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights in the design and governance of digital platforms.
We will continue to engage on this important matter, working with partners to ensure that digital technologies strengthen rather than restrict freedom of expression.
Special Rapporteur, what practical steps can states take to ensure technology companies respect freedom of expression while avoiding over regulation or unintended restrictions on legitimate speech as you have suggested.
Thank you.
Thank you very much.
I recognize the distinguished representative of Belarus.
Thank you.
Madam Special Reporter, your report examines a number of aspects of the issue with the implementation of the right to freedom of opinion in digital age, but ignores the issue of entrenched inequality, which is only exacerbated by the reluctance of developed countries to share technology entities.
This inequality that allows the formation of a small group of powerful oligarchs, platforms, companies and governments that contribute to the crisis in freedom of speech.
This group seeks to dictate its terms arrogantly.
And actively promotes pro Western narratives and the human rights agenda.
The logic of this desire to dominate fits into the arbitrary removal from YouTube of channels of the largest Belarusian media.
The Belarusian telegraph Agency, the public national television, and the Capitol television.
The flagrant violation of the right to seek, receive and impart information which has affected millions of people was reported to you and other human rights mechanisms in April 2026.
We have not yet received a response from your mandate.
Madam Special Rapporteur, what are your assessments and recommendations regarding practical measures to prevent such incidents and restore the violated rights? I thank you.
Michelle.
Thank you very much.
I recognize the distinguished representative of Albania.
Mr.
Vice President, Albania thanks Special Rapporteur for her report and reiterates its full support for the mandate.
We welcome the strong set of recommendation presented.
Albania agrees that the use of digital technology must always be grounded in the international human rights law.
We underline the importance of ensuring legality, necessity, and proportionality, as well as robust safeguard, independent oversight, and transparency in the use of such technologies.
Mr.
Vice President, the national level, Albin is committed to upholding freedom of expression both offline and online.
We are working to strengthen legal safeguard, promote free media freedom, and ensure that any limitations are fully in line with our international obligation.
We remain attentive to the challenges posed by new technology and the need to balance security concern with protection of fundamental rights.
States, International Organization and private sector, and civil society must work together to ensure that digital technology are developed and used in a way that fully respect human rights and protect civil space.
I thank you.
Thank you very much.
I recognize the distinguished representative of Maldives.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
The Malls thank the Special Rapporteur for her report.
The government of Mliist remains firmly committed to upholding the constitutional right to freedom of opinion and expression.
We regard this right as a cornerstone of democracy, good governance, and the rule of law, essential for fostering informed public discourse, transparency and accountability.
We recognize the growing challenges posed by the digitalized, including misinformation, disinformation, and online harassment.
In this context, journalists and media professionals play a vital role in informing the public accurately, contributing to social development and safeguarding individual rights.
To strengthen the long term independence, professionalism, and sustainability of the media sector, the government has introduced important structural reforms.
These include the provision of state allocated funding through the in state budget to support registered media organization and enhance their financial independence.
The government is also investing in the training and development of qualified journalists, recognizing the importance of professional, responsible and independent journalism in a democratic society.
Our institution and legal framework remains firmly grounded in respect for the rule of law, judicial independence, constitu due process.
And the bloc governance.
Finally, we express our sincere appreciation for the Swiss interpreter's dedicated service and valuable contribution to advancing the port, to advancing the promotion and protection of freedom of opinion and expression.
I thank you.
Michaels Gracias.
Thank you very much.
I recognize the distinguished representative of Peru.
I'd like to thank the Special Rapporteur for the presentation of a report.
It clearly sets out the challenges in the expansion of AI and the digital ecosystem and the challenges it brings about for freedom of opinion and expression in the exercise of human rights.
At these technologies offer opportunities for development.
They also bring with them risks because of the manipulation of content.
Against this background, Peru highlights the importance of digital literacy and to provide a safe environment for children and adolescents.
These should be clear prerequisites for a safe, responsible use of freedom of expression.
Nationally, Peru has been bringing about digital transformation that is inclusive and people centered as part of its national policy for digital transformation by 2030.
It includes strengthening digital competencies and providing digital content that is accessible to all.
Peru believes that it's crucial that the development of AI is supported by the principles of transparency, accountability, security, and respect for human rights.
Finally, Peru reiterates that international cooperation, technical assistance, and exchanging of best practices is fundamental to build open, safe, and inclusive digital ecosystems that are people centered.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Thank you.
I recognize Greece.
Vice President, Greece aligns with the EU statement and thank the Special Rapporteur for the presentation of her report and for her steadfast commitment to the promotion, protection of freedom of opinion and expression.
Welcome the report's timely focus on the evolving challenges facing freedom of expression in the digital age.
As highlighted in the report, freedom of opinion and expression is both a fundamental human right and an enabling right essential for democracy, pluralism, and sustainable development.
Greece shares the concern regarding shrinking civic space, online violence, disinformation and pressures faced by journalists and independent media, as well as the specific challenges on women and children.
At the same time, we agree that responses to these challenges must remain firmly grounded in international human rights law.
Freedom of expression must be protected, including dissenic and critical voices, while ensuring protection against advocacy of hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility, or violence.
In this context, we support strengthened multilateral cooperation and inclusive multi stakeholder approaches grounded in international law, international human rights law and standards.
Being also an EU member state, Greece values efforts to strengthen accountability, transparency, and due diligence in digital spaces while preserving open and pluralistic information environments and safeguarding fundamental freedoms.
I thank you.
Michel Gracias.
Thank you very much.
I recognize the distinguished representative of the Republic of Moldova.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
We thank the Special Rapporteur for the presentation of the report.
As outlined in the findings, the growing influence of digital platforms and artificial intelligence companies can threaten freedom of expression and lead to the manipulation of opinion.
The lack of oversight and fragmentation of regulation risk is exacerbating the threat.
Transparency, due diligence, and respect for human rights must be at the center of the creation, use, and deployment of digital tools.
These principles must be also endorsed by the tech companies.
Stated in the report, children's safety in online space, especially while using artificial intelligence tools is one of the major concerns and my country is paying close attention to this issue.
President of the Republic of Moldova has launched recently this January, a national dialogue on children's safety in online space.
What we are aiming at is to raise awareness, educate, and strengthen our public policies towards reducing risks for children in the digital environment.
Madam Special Raporteur, while defending freedom of opinion and expression, we should counter attempts to exploit vulnerabilities by foreign actors.
Let me highlight in this regard the decision of the recent Council of Europe ministerial meeting in Kino on the future legal instrument, possibly a framework convention to address the foreign information manipulation and interference, which could serve as an inspiring example.
Thank you.
Mis Gracias.
Thank you very much.
I recognize the distinguished representative of Gambia.
Mr.
Vice President, now the correct statement.
The Gambia congratulates the Special Rapporteur on the presentation of her final report and thanks her for her valuable contribution throughout her mandate to the promotional and protection of freedom of opinion and expression.
Digital technologies have expanded access to information and created new opportunities for public participation.
At the same time, AI manipulated content and the growing influence of global platforms are reshaping how information is produced, distributed, and understood.
The Gambe believes that protecting freedom of expression and safeguarding information integrity are mutually reinforcing.
In this regard, the Gambe adopted the Access to Information Act in 2021 and 25th, April 2026, with the support of ECOS, launched the National Misinformation and Disinformation Response Center, the first national mechanism of its kind in West Africa to strengthen evidence based verification, fact checking, and public access to credible information.
The initiative reflects the Gamb's commitment to addressing harmful disinformation through public awareness, verification, and cooperation with journalists, civil society, and other relevant stakeholders while preserving open public debate.
The Gambia calls for stronger international cooperation and technical assistance to help developing countries strengthen information integrity, promote responsible digital governance, and protect media freedom.
We asked the special rapporteur what forms of international support are most effective in helping developing countries address disinformation without restricting legitimate expression.
I thank you.
Michel Gracias.
Ultimo.
This was the last speaker that we could accommodate in this meeting.
Excellency's, distinguished participants.
I understand that some delegations have requested to exercise their right to reply.
I give the floor to the distinguished representative of Thailand.
You have 3 minutes.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Thailand wishes to take the floor to respond to the statement made earlier by our Cambodian colleague during the interactive dialogue with the independent expert on human rights and international solidarity.
We reaffirm our commitment to peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter and in the spirit of the cease fire agreement reached between our two countries.
Thailand has made clear that we are ready to turn a new page and look to the future.
We do not see conflict with Cambodia, nor do we seek any claims to the territory of any country.
Thailand's position on boundary negotiations with Cambodia has always been clear and consistent, grounded in the principles of international law and good neighborliness.
On 16 June this year, the Thai Cabinet approved Thailand's entry into compulsory conciliation proceedings as provided for under UNCLOS, as a state party to the convention.
Thailand reaffirms its full commitment and adherence to international law and UNCLOS and will participate in these proceedings with sincerity and in good faith, while placing the utmost priority on safeguarding the country's interests.
Thailand endeavors to reach an amicable settlement of our maritime dispute peacefully, while reiterating that any outcome may serve as a basis for resuming bilateral negotiations towards concluding a mutually beneficial agreement.
Thailand remains confident that any outstanding issues can be addressed through sincere dialogue and good faith engagement to de escalate tensions, rebuild trust and confidence, and foster a conducive environment for peace to prevail.
I thank you.
Thank you very much.
I now give the floor to the distinguished representative of Latvia.
Thank you, Mr.
Vice President.
Latvia wishes to exercise its right of reply in response to the statements delivered by the representatives of the Russian Federation.
Latvia is a state governed by the rule of law.
Our courts are independent and impartial and the separation of powers is a functioning constitutional principle, not a rhetorical claim.
Latvia chooses law over arbitrariness, dialogue over division, and unity based on shared democratic values.
Against this background, we firmly reject attempts to instrumentalize individual cases adjudicated in Latvia, including the cases of Mr.
Gaponenko and Mr.
Gushin referred to by the Russian Federation.
Independent international assessments consistently rank Latvia among countries with a high level of judicial independence.
While placing the Russian Federation amongst the lowest ranked globally, a country where in reality, the courts operate under strong political influence, fair trial guarantees are weakened by vague laws, procedural limitations, and intimidation of prosecution of independent lawyers.
Thank you.
Chances.
Thank you very much.
Are there any other requests to exercise the right to reply in connection with the statements heard today? That does not appear to be the case.
Excellency distinguished participants.
This brings us to the end of this meeting.
We will reconvene tomorrow at 10:00 A.M.
To continue the interactive dialogue with the special rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression to be followed by the interactive dialogue with the special rapporteur on the rights to education and the interactive dialogue with the special rapporteur on extrajudicial summary or arbitrary executions.
Before I conclude, I'd like to remind delegations about the high level debate.
As a commemoration or a celebration of the anniversary of the Human Rights Council that will take place on Friday the 19th of June, 1230-230.
I hereby close the sixth meeting of the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council.
Thank you.