Statement at Human Rights Council 22 Session

President,
High Commissioner,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

The landmark UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted by the General Assembly in 1998, establishes that states have a particular responsibility to protect human rights defenders.

The declaration seeks to ensure that efforts to promote and defend human rights in all parts of the world can be carried out without restrictions or threats to human rights defenders or their families.

Norway is the main sponsor of UN resolutions in support of human rights defenders. At this session of the Human Rights Council, Norway will once again facilitate negotiations on a thematic resolution on legislation that affects human rights defenders.

We invite all delegations to take part in this process. And we ask for your support for this resolution in the defence of human rights for the benefit of all people – in accordance with international law and standards.

President,

Norway also gives high priority to the fight against the death penalty. The death penalty is cruel and inhumane, and we believe its abolition is essential in order to protect human dignity.

And we are not alone. In December last year, the UN General Assembly secured record support for the moratorium resolution, reflecting the worldwide trend towards abolition.

Norway is very pleased to co-sponsor the 5th World Congress against the Death Penalty in Madrid in mid-June this year. All states are invited to participate, as well as civil society and intergovernmental organisations.

We encourage all states – including the top five executioners: the US, China, Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia – to take the opportunity of this major triennial event to announce new commitments to the global fight against the death penalty.

President,

We are becoming increasingly concerned about the rapid spread of hate speech – which may lead to violent extremism – through the Internet and social media.

This is a serious challenge to all societies, not least in the European region. The victims of hate speech are often minorities and other vulnerable groups. It is important to confront and oppose extremism, for example through legal frameworks and police action where relevant.

However, we also need to ask ourselves how we can prevent extremism and harassment of minorities and vulnerable groups, while at the same time promoting openness and a culture of dialogue.

In shaping our response to these challenges, we must recognise that freedom of expression is a cornerstone of any democratic society.

President,

Women’s rights and gender equality have become increasingly controversial internationally, particularly those relating to sexuality and reproduction.

Over the last couple of years we have seen reactionary forces seeking to reverse every inch of progress that we have achieved over the last four decades. This trend is not only visible in the international arena, but also in national political processes.   

Men and women, young and old, everyone should be allowed to participate in society on equal terms, live a life free from violence, and decide over their own body. These rights are universal and not open to compromise.

We also see a need for increased focus on discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity. We are particularly concerned about developments in countries such as Ukraine, Russia and Uganda, where legislation that would criminalise public discussion on homosexuality has been proposed.

Norway condemns such measures wherever they are introduced. We fully subscribe to the message of the UN Secretary-General on this issue: human rights apply to all, regardless of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Together with South Africa, Brazil and other supporters of this agenda, we will reach out cross-regionally, through dialogue and engagement, in a series of regional seminars on this issue.

The outcome of these meetings is to be summed up at a conference in Oslo on 15–16 April, aiming to provide evidence-based input to the ongoing discussion on sexual orientation and gender identity in the Human Rights Council in June this year.

President,

In recent years popular demand has brought about democratic transitions in various regions of the world. We also see that the path towards democracy may be paved with social unrest and even violence. In these situations the guidance provided by universal human rights is of particular importance.

The positive developments that have taken place in Myanmar over the last couple of years, including in the human rights situation, are highly encouraging. Norway believes that the international community should actively engage in supporting capacity-building efforts to further promote human rights in the country. 

We welcome the commitment of the Government of Myanmar to cooperate closely with the Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights and to open an OHCHR office in Myanmar, and we are prepared to support this work.

There are still challenging human rights issues in Myanmar that continue to call for our attention. The tensions in Rakhine and the reports of human rights violations in the conflict affected areas, especially in Kachin, have given particular cause for concern.

In Egypt, the constitutional process has sadly polarised society, rather than uniting it. We note with regret that the constitution has several weaknesses, particularly with regard to freedom of speech, freedom of belief, the role of Sharia law, and, not least, provisions that allow for civilians to be tried by military tribunals.

Furthermore, there are numerous reports of police brutality and mistreatment of prisoners. Women, who participated actively in the revolution, have been marginalised in the political process, and there is a disturbing increase in sexual violence.

I urge President Mursi’s Government to take immediate steps to investigate all allegations of human rights abuses, and to prepare the ground for comprehensive security sector reform.

President,

Norway welcomes the decision by the International Criminal Court to investigate crimes committed in the north of Mali over the last year.

At the same time, we are seriously concerned about reports of summary executions, abuses and revenge attacks committed by Malian armed forces and pro-government militias in liberated cities and areas in the north.

Such action could set off a spiral of violence, undermining stabilisation and reconciliation efforts in in the country, and must stop immediately.

We encourage the members of the Human Rights Council to take all necessary steps to monitor the situation in Mali, and to ensure that those responsible for human rights abuses are held accountable.

President,

The promotion of human rights is the third pillar on which the United Nations was founded. However, we see that this pillar is chronically underfunded.

Together with Turkey, Morocco, Mexico and others, Norway is working to strengthen this pillar, for example by drawing attention to the financial challenges of OHCHR.

An unprecedented number of mandates established by the Human Rights Council and the increasing number of requests for support in the field from OHCHR are creating a growing gap between expectations and financial resources. We are particularly concerned by the OHCHRs extensive and increasing dependence on voluntary contributions, including for mandatory activities and field operations.

We urge all countries to join our effort to establish a sustainable resource base over the coming years that does not infringe on the independence of the High Commissioner and her office.

The UN membership has a responsibility to ensure that OHCHR – a key institution for promoting and protecting human rights in the UN system – can fulfil its mandate in the light of increasing demands.

We believe that a common investment in the financial sustainability and well-functioning of OHCHR would be an investment in peace, security and development.

Thank you