Norway's statement at the Fourth session of the UN Council on Human Rights

State Secretary Raymond Johansen held Norway's statement during the Fourth Session of the UN Council on Human Rights. 

In his statement State Secretary Johansen focused on the continued violence in the Terai region of Nepal, and encouraged OHCHR to continue their valuable assistance to the people of Nepal. He furthermore underlined Norway's  particular concern for the impunity for crimes in Afghanistan and regretted that the mission appointed to the Palestinian Territory was unable to carry out its mandate.

In regards to Darfur, Johansen underlined that only a credible political process could provide sustainable solutions to the crisis in Darfur. - We support the ongoing efforts by the AU and the UN to re-energize the political process based on the DPA-framework and to establish a strengthened ceasefire, said the State Secretary.

In his statement Johansen praised the work of the High Commissioner and underlined the need for further action to be taken by the General Assembly. - It is of particular importance that the General Assembly lives up to its commitment to take action on the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples before the end of its sixty-first session.

- Norway is deeply concerned about the human rights violations based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We appeal to the Human Rights Council to pay due attention to such violations, said State Secretary Johansen.

State Secretary Johansen underlined that the fight against terrorism must be fought without deviating from fundamental principles of rule of law and fair trial guarantees.

Read State Secretary Johansen's statement here.