HRC61 - EU Statement - Urgent Debate called by Iran, China and Cuba

HRC61 - EU Statement - Urgent Debate called by Iran, China and Cuba

European Union

HRC61 Urgent Debate called by Iran, China and Cuba

27 March 2026

EU Statement

Mr President,

The EU deplores the loss of all civilian life and calls for an immediate end to any strikes against civilian infrastructure. The EU calls for de-escalation and maximum restraint, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure and full respect of international law, including the United Nations Charter, international human rights law and international humanitarian law, by all parties.

We are deeply saddened by the loss of children's lives in Iran, including those killed in the strike against a school in Minab on 28 February. In line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the EU considers it essential to safeguard the rights to life, survival, and development of every child, and calls on all parties to take all measures to ensure children's rights are fully respected in armed conflict. Attacks directed against civilian objects constitute a violation of international humanitarian law and attacks on schools may amount to one of the six grave violations against children in situations of armed conflict. We call on all parties to take necessary measures to protect children, including ensuring that schools, hospitals, and other civilian facilities are not attacked. The EU will continue to pay particular attention to the protection of children affected by armed conflict and living in post-conflict situations.

The EU calls on the Iranian regime to cease the violence and repression against its own people. Human rights violations, especially in the recent months, have been appalling, with brutal repression of peaceful demonstration, arbitrary arrests and detention, and an alarming increase in executions. The EU calls for the respect of the universal human rights and fundamental freedoms of the Iranian people, including the right to choose their own future.

Since 2011, the EU has taken targeted restrictive measures against individuals and entities responsible for serious human rights violations in Iran, including during the repression of the January 2026 protests. This approach will continue as long as necessary. The EU fully supports the work of the international Independent Fact-Finding Mission and of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights in Iran in their work to monitor and investigate all human rights violations.

Thank you.