United Nations General Assembly A/HRC/PRST/27/4 Distr.: General 7 October 2014 Original: English Human Rights Council Twenty-seventh session Agenda item 1 Organizational and procedural matters Statement by the President PRST 27/4 The Ebola epidemic At the 42nd meeting, on 26 September 2014, the President of the Human Rights Council made the statement below: “The Human Rights Council: 1. Deplores the fact that the Ebola virus has claimed, and continues to claim, the lives of so many people in West Africa, including health workers, and is deeply concerned at the horrifying loss of life and the impact that the spread of the disease has on life and health, as well as on the enjoyment of all human rights by persons in the States concerned, in particular the rights to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and to an adequate standard of living; 2. Calls upon all States to respect, protect and promote all human rights on the basis of equality while combating the epidemic on the ground; 3. Expresses concern at the panic caused in reaction to misinformation and inadequate communication about the Ebola virus, with the consequence of worsening the situation and undermining the right of persons to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health; 4. Expresses grave concern at the negative impact of Ebola on the enjoyment of rights by individuals in the countries affected, and on trade and food security, the disruption to mining, agriculture, domestic and cross-border trade, air travel, investments as well as the diversion of public funds to fight the epidemic; 5. Notes that the Ebola outbreak has been declared a public health emergency of international concern by the World Health Organization; 6. Welcomes the tireless work of Governments of the States affected by the Ebola crisis, the World Health Organization, Médecins Sans Frontières and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to ensure that adequate treatment is provided to victims, support is provided to their families and GE.14-18041 (E) 