HRC57 - NB8 statement - Arbitrary detention

Human Rights Council ‒ 57th session
Item 3: Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on arbitrary detention
Statement by Iceland on behalf of the Nordic Baltic states
17 September 2024

Mr. President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic Baltic states.

We thank the Working Group for its comprehensive report and commend its efforts to address the issue of arbitrary detention.

Arbitrary detention runs counter to the standards set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and directly undermines the irrefutable right to life, liberty and security. Due process must always be ensured, and the deprivation of liberty must be adequate, necessary and proportionate.

We strongly echo the calls of the Working Group to bring arbitrary detention to an end, and to cease the use of detention as a tool against political opponents, dissidents, human rights defenders, journalists and other individuals exercising their civil and political rights.

We appreciate the efforts of Governments that engage positively with the mandate of the Working Group and we strongly condemn any government’s act of intimidation or reprisals against those who have sought to cooperate with the United Nations and, its mechanisms.

All individuals who are arbitrarily detained must urgently be released and provided with appropriate remedies and reparations. States must strive to end all arbitrary detention, once and for all.

I thank you.