European External Action Service

10/01/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/01/2025 07:42

EU Statement - HRC60 - Enhanced Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner and the International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law[...]

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EU Statement - HRC60 - Enhanced Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner and the International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement

01.10.2025
Geneva
Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in Geneva

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

60th session

Enhanced Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner and the International Independent Expert Mechanism to Advance Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement

1 October 2024

EU statement

Mr Chair, High Commissioner,

The European Union thanks the Expert Mechanism for its latest report on how to fight impunity. While we understand the difficulty of covering a wide diversity of criminal justice systems worldwide, we share the belief that any system of justice must respect the right to a fair trial of everyone without discrimination. It is therefore alarming that this is still part of the experiences faced today by too many individuals, including Africans and people of African descent.

In the European Union, we are taking this issue very seriously. Trust in public officials, law enforcement, police and security forces and the criminal justice system is essential for a functioning society and is a precondition for social cohesion. The underreporting of hate crimes, racial and ethnic discrimination and other related incidents is partly related to a lack of trust in the responsible authorities. To help addressing the issue, the EU has adopted new rules to complement the Racial Equality Directive, requiring all Member States to provide equality bodies with stronger powers to assist victims of discrimination.

The European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL) has also been contributing to fighting racism and discrimination through trainings offered, which include a strong focus on police stops and searches and racial profiling.

The EU remains committed to furthering this work, with all actions needed to work to eradicate discrimination from our criminal justice systems.

I thank you.

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