UN Human Rights Council 59: UK Closing Statement
UK Closing Statement for the 59th session of the HRC. Delivered at HRC59 in Geneva.
Thank you, Mr President.
We would like to make closing remarks on three resolutions.
In respect of L.20, the UK’s commitment to the safety of journalists and media freedom is unwavering. In accordance with international law, surveillance or interference with encryption technologies must be necessary, proportionate and subject to proper safeguards. Without such safeguards, journalists’ lawful activities should not be investigated or interfered with – either domestically or extraterritorially. In the UK, our investigatory powers legislation protects journalistic freedom by including specific safeguards for confidential journalistic material.
In respect of resolution L.17 on climate change, the UK is concerned that the significance of the Paris Agreement is inadequately reflected. We emphasise that the Paris Agreement is a freestanding treaty and not an annex to the Framework Convention. The UK is fully committed to the Paris Agreement, which urges all parties to tackle climate change in light of different national circumstances.
Human rights must be respected and protected when taking action to address climate change. However, climate finance, debt relief, climate justice and technology transfer are not prerequisites to the realisation of international human rights obligations. International human rights law does not recognise the concept of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, which is specific only to certain international environmental treaties.
Finally, with respect to L.8, the UK has long been a supporter of better and more affordable access to medicines in low- and middle-income countries. However, to maximise the prospects of successfully and sustainably achieving this, technology transfer needs to be on voluntary and mutually agreed terms. The UK has consistently raised its concerns about the phrase “unhindered access” in this and other fora.
The UK thanks the core groups for their constructive engagement on these resolutions.
Thank you.