The European Union has voiced strong support for the renewal of the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, calling on the Human Rights Council to adopt the resolution by consensus. In a general comment delivered on 6 July 2026 at the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva, the EU stressed that the mandate is essential to sustaining international attention on the rights of persons with disabilities and ensuring continued progress in their effective realization. The statement was made on behalf of EU member states that are members of the Council, following the presentation of draft resolution L.4 by New Zealand and Mexico.
The EU, as a party to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), reaffirmed its dedication to ensuring full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by persons with disabilities. The bloc commended the core group for streamlining and rationalization efforts in line with General Assembly resolution 80/251 and for an innovative approach to identifying synergies. The EU highlighted that despite progress, persons with disabilities continue to face significant barriers in daily life, including in accessibility, autonomy, independent living, participation in public and political life, education, employment, healthcare, social protection, and equal access to services. It also noted that persons with disabilities are disproportionately affected by conflict and humanitarian crises.
The EU emphasized the importance of full, effective, and meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in decision-making processes and committed to addressing intersectional discrimination, particularly affecting women and girls with disabilities. The bloc recognized the critical role of civil society, including organizations representing persons with disabilities. The EU also underscored the need to preserve accessibility in the Council's work, reiterating the importance of international sign language and simultaneous captioning in mandated activities, stating that budgetary or liquidity constraints cannot be an excuse for undermining fundamental inclusivity across the UN.
The statement did not reference any prior EU actions on this specific mandate renewal, as no prior coverage exists in the last 180 days. The EU's endorsement aligns with its broader commitment to disability rights under the CRPD and its support for UN human rights mechanisms. The resolution, if adopted, would extend the Special Rapporteur's mandate for another three years, continuing the monitoring and advisory role on the implementation of the CRPD globally.