HRC57 - Joint statements supported by Iceland
Human Rights Council ‒ 57th session
Item 2: General Debate
Joint statement by Chile on behalf of a group of countries
10 September 2024
Mr. President,
On behalf of a cross-regional group of 57 countries, including my own country, Chile, we deliver this joint statement to voice our grave concern regarding the situation of women and girls in Afghanistan.
Last August marked three years since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Three years’ worth of over 70 edicts, directives, and statements targeting women and girls and human rights, including closing spaces for them in their own households and communities and at national level. In this regard, we condemn the so-called “new morality law” adopted by the Taliban, which imposes a lengthy list of repressive provisions on women and girls, that goes as far as to even banning their voices from being heard in public and further restricting their freedom of movement without a male relative.
Mr President,
The Taliban claim to protect the human rights of women and girls, but these measures do not only deny them the enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms, but they eviscerate their autonomy and strip them of their inherent human dignity.
Disempowering and rendering Afghan women and girls invisible, will only worsen the human rights and humanitarian crisis in the country. The international community should consider taking new steps, commensurate with the gravity of the situation on the ground, to provide robust support to Afghan women and help them raise their voices. This kind of support is critical for sustaining the Afghan women’s movement and countering the systematic erasure of women from public life, which may amount gender persecution.
On the eve of the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, we stand with the women and girls of Afghanistan and renew our commitment to their human rights and freedoms. We call to the international community to consider all protection mechanisms available under international human rights law to secure the respect of their rights, in this Council and beyond.
I thank you.
Human Rights Council ‒ 57th session
Item 3: General Debate
Joint statement by Finland on behalf of a group of countries
18 September 2024
Mr. President,
I have the honour to deliver this Joint Statement on behalf of Finland, Malawi and a cross-regional group of countries.
Millions of persons with disabilities continue to face significant barriers in their access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.
These obstacles include discrimination, stigma and stereotypes, restrictive legislation and lack of disability –appropriate information and access to services. Grave human rights violations such as forced sterilization, forced abortion and contraception continue to take place.
We underline that women and girls with disabilities have the same rights as all other persons, including sexual and reproductive health and rights. To be able to enjoy those rights on an equal basis with others, States should implement all necessary legal and policy measures to ensure accessibility and inclusion.
Therefore, we invite States to:
- remove legal barriers and practices that prevent persons with disabilities from accessing quality sexual and reproductive health information, goods and services that support their family planning and sexual and reproductive health and rights;
- design and implement, inclusive and accessible comprehensive sexuality education programmes for women and girls with disabilities; and
- ensure meaningful participation of persons with disabilities and their representative organizations in public decision-making and health programming related to sexual and reproductive health and rights.
With these steps we can start to improve the realization of sexual and reproductive health and rights for persons with disabilities around the world, fulfilling the obligations and realizing the principles of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on this vital topic.
I thank you.
Human Rights Council ‒ 57th session
Item 3: General Debate
Joint statement by the Netherlands on behalf of the Group of Friends of accountability following the aggression against Ukraine (GoF AAU)
23 September 2024
Mr. President,
I am honoured to deliver this statement on behalf of the 'Group of Friends of Accountability following the aggression against Ukraine'.
Russia’s unrelenting attacks with explosive weapons in populated areas have not only led to numerous civilian deaths and injuries, including of women and children. They have also seriously damaged critical infrastructure, such as the Okhmatdyt children's hospital, and the country’s energy infrastructure.
These attacks on the energy infrastructure could leave millions of civilians in Ukraine without heating, electricity, and water during the coming winter months. Threatening their dignity and imperilling their lives.
Commissioners,
Every time you brief this Council you present further evidence, which you have independently gathered and verified, that a wide range of human rights and humanitarian law violations, many amounting to war crimes have been committed by Russian authorities.
Willful killings, torture, unlawful detention of civilians. The list of these crimes is extensive and continues to grow every day Russia chooses to continue its war of aggression against Ukraine.
We, furthermore, deplore the lack of access for international humanitarian mechanisms to places of detention where Ukrainian PoWs and civilians are held and call on Russia to provide full and unhindered access.
We will continue to seek full accountability, including for the crime of aggression.
Because victims and survivors deserve justice.
We, therefore, welcome the continued detailed and independent reporting of the CoI, as well as the work of the HRMMU and relevant UN Special Procedure mandate holders, the investigation by the Prosecutor of the ICC into the Situation in Ukraine, the operationalization of the ICPA, the work of the Register of Damage for Ukraine, and the work of the Core Group towards the establishment of a tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
I thank you.
Human Rights Council ‒ 57th session
Item 4: General Debate
Joint statement by the United States of America on behalf of the Core Group on Xinjiang
24 September 2024
Mr. President,
I read this statement on behalf of the core group of countries that two years ago asked this Council to hold a debate on the situation of human rights in Xinjiang following the publication of the Assessment by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
That Assessment found that the “extent of arbitrary and discriminatory detention of members of Uyghur and other predominately Muslim groups may constitute international crimes, in particular crimes against humanity.”
Relying extensively on China’s own records, the Assessment further documented systematic use of invasive surveillance on the basis of religion and ethnicity; severe and undue restrictions on cultural, religious, and linguistic identity and expression; torture and sexual and gender-based violence, including forced abortion and sterilization; enforced disappearances and family separations; and forced labour.
Over the past two years, China has had many opportunities to meaningfully address these well-founded concerns.
We regret that China has denied the impartial and objective findings and rejected the recommendations of the OHCHR’s Assessment. During its recent Universal Periodic Review, China rejected many legitimate concerns and dismissively labeled the OHCHR’s Assessment “completely illegal and void.”
We call upon China to engage meaningfully with the United Nations to implement OHCHR’s recommendations and uphold its obligations and commitments, including by promptly releasing all individuals arbitrarily and unjustly detained in Xinjiang, urgently clarifying the fate and whereabouts of missing family members, and facilitating safe contact and reunion.
We commend the efforts of human rights defenders, the courage shown by survivors of forced labour and detention camps, and the persistent calls by families of victims for accountability. We continue to welcome the High Commissioner’s and his Office’s active engagement, independent work, and continued assessment.
The human rights and fundamental freedoms of everyone must be protected. It is incumbent on all of us not to undermine international human rights commitments that benefit us all, and for which all states are accountable.
I thank you.
Human Rights Council ‒ 57th session
Item 5: General Debate
Joint statement by Latvia on behalf of a group of countries
27 September 2024
Mr. President,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of 63 countries.
We, the States subscribing to this statement and representing different regional and legal traditions, are united by our decision to extend standing invitations to special procedures mandate holders of the Human Rights Council and our commitment to honour them.
We welcome the ongoing cooperation between States and UN special procedures, and a significant increase in number of country visits received by States in 2023, as outlined in the latest annual report of the special procedures and presented at the 55th session of the Human Rights Council. These visits are an essential tool for mandate holders to engage with all actors, create momentum and facilitate dialogue at the national level.
Yet, continuous attacks and threats against mandate holders remain of serious concern – we call on States to respect and value the expertise and independence of mandate holders, and to actively engage and cooperate with them. We are also concerned about the negative impact of the UN’s liquidity crisis on the implementation of the activities of special procedures mandate holders in 2024.
The role and contribution of special procedures to the global human rights agenda throughout the UN system and beyond is critical. We welcome efforts to foster fuller use of human rights mechanisms, including special procedures, to tackle cross-cutting challenges of our time such as climate change or new technologies. Mandate holders as an integral part of the international human rights system continue to play a crucial role by offering essential and innovative solutions to advance the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide.
Whilst recognising that the commitment to receive special procedures is voluntary, we continue to encourage all States that have not done so, especially current members and candidate States of the Human Rights Council, to extend a standing invitation to the Council’s mechanisms and to engage in a constructive and open dialogue with mandate holders.
I thank you.
Human Rights Council ‒ 57th session
Item 8: General Debate
Joint statement by Costa Rica on behalf of a group of countries
2 October 2024
Mr. President,
I have the honour of delivering this statement on behalf of a cross-regional group of over 50 states.
The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (VDPA) stresses the importance of eliminating gender-based violence against women and girls in public and private life, all forms of sexual harassment, exploitation and trafficking in women, and the elimination of gender bias in the administration of justice.
Two years ago, the tragic death while in custody of Jina Mahsa Amini led to an unprecedented movement in the Islamic Republic of Iran, that was violently repressed by the Iranian authorities.
The Fact-Finding Mission on Iran concluded this year that the crime against humanity of persecution on the ground of gender has been committed in the repression of the Women Life Freedom movement. Victims and their families have a right to truth and to justice, there must be accountability for all violations.
Mr. President,
Two years on, the repression continues through other forms.
Patrols of the morality police and other law-enforcement agencies have intensified in the past few months and have been marked by an increasingly violent crackdown on women and girls deemed non-compliant of compulsory veiling laws. This must stop.
Suppression of freedom of expression online and offline and crackdown on social media users have also intensified. Relatives of victims seeking truth and justice are facing harassment. Scores of human rights defenders remain in prison, including 2023 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Narges Mohammadi and other women human rights defenders.
Some of these women human rights defenders are facing capital charges while two were sentenced to death in July. Iran must end these arbitrary detentions and repeal these sentences.
We are also deeply alarmed by the latest increase in reported executions, with an average of three executions per day in August. The death penalty must not be used as an instrument to instil fear within the population and chill dissent. We call on Iran to immediately halt all executions.
I thank you.
Human Rights Council ‒ 57th session
Item 8: General Debate
Joint statement by the European Union on behalf of a group of countries
1 October 2024
Mr. President,
The European Union has the honour to deliver this Joint Statement on behalf of a group of countries.
The ongoing climate crisis requires immediate accelerated action and strengthened ambition of the whole international community. We again underscore the need to fully integrate human rights in the global responses to climate change and other environmental crises. The global green transition needs to be just and inclusive.
A crucial element to advance this agenda is to ensure transparent, inclusive, safe and meaningful participation and leadership, both online and offline, by civil society, including climate activists, human rights defenders, women, youth, and persons with disabilities and others marginalized, in international climate discussions.
For COP29 to meet the expectations from people worldwide, especially those particularly affected by climate change, such as children and elderly, Indigenous Peoples, citizens of small island states, small scale farmers, just to name a few, the conference needs to provide an enabling environment for civil society, free from intimidation, harassment, arbitrary surveillance and reprisals.
COP29 is an opportunity for the host country to reaffirm its commitment to its obligations under international human rights law and ensure the conditions for the work of a free and independent civil society. We hope that the constructive engagement of civil society with governments at the conference will encourage Azerbaijan to recognize civil society’s role and to respect, protect and fulfil the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of expression, including media freedom in the future.
We must all act together to fulfil our responsibilities towards our planet, present and future generations. Nobody knows this better than those particularly affected. Let’s ensure that their voices can resound strong and free and contribute to all international climate discussions.
I thank you.
Human Rights Council ‒ 57th session
Item 8: General Debate
Joint statement by Ukraine on behalf of a group of countries
2 October 2024
Mr. President,
This statement is delivered on behalf of 49 states.
We recall the provisions of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action on effective international measures to guarantee and monitor the implementation of human rights standards in respect of people under foreign occupation, and effective legal protection against the violation of their human rights.
These principles were reiterated at the fourth summit of the International Crimea Platform held on 11 September 2024 in Kyiv.
We reiterate our support for the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders extending to its territorial waters, which continues to be violated as a result of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine.
We condemn in the strongest terms Russia’s use of the temporarily occupied Crimean Peninsula for military purposes as well as the means to support the attempted illegal annexation of other Ukrainian regions.
We reiterate our non-recognition of Russia’s illegal attempted annexation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol, as well as some parts of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia, which threatens international security with grave implications for the international order based on the rule of law.
We condemn the holding by Russia in September of so-called "elections" on the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, which include Crimea, in violation of Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. We reiterate that results of the so-called "elections" are null and void, and the so-called "elections" themselves are illegitimate.
We are gravely concerned about the reported continued violations of international humanitarian law and severe violations and abuses of human rights perpetrated against the residents of Crimea, including against persons belonging to the indigenous Crimean Tatar people.
We are equally concerned about the illegal deportation and forcible transfer, as well as indoctrination of Ukrainian children and compelling them to accept Russian citizenship.
We condemn any mobilisation and conscription by the Russian Federation of Ukrainian citizens from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine into Russian armed forces.
We emphasise that the cessation of the Russian Federation`s war of aggression against Ukraine and the reaffirmation of sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders as well as comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine should be ensured for restoration of respect for the United Nations Charter and rules and principles of international law.
I thank you.
Human Rights Council ‒ 57th session
Item 9: General Debate
Joint statement by Austria on behalf of a group of countries
4 October 2024
Mr. President,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Czech Republic, Slovakia and my own country, Austria, with the support of a cross-regional group of countries.
Since the last year, starting with the brutal terrorist attack conducted by Hamas and other terrorist groups against Israel on 7 October 2023, there has been an alarming increase in antisemitism and other forms of racial and religious hatred, both online and offline. We have witnessed an escalation of antisemitism around the world, with Jewish individuals and communities facing physical and verbal attacks, harassment, isolation and marginalization. Jewish homes and institutions have been vandalized. Jewish students have been excluded on campuses; antisemitic discourse online has reached alarming levels; people are attacked for showing their Jewish identity.
Antisemitism, racism and all related intolerance and hatred pose a serious threat to human rights, democracy, the rule of law and peaceful coexistence. They undermine the very fabric of our societies. We are also worried by instances of Holocaust distortion and all kind of disinformation, which is a breeding ground of antisemitism.
In today's interconnected and rapidly changing world, where deep-seated divisions and conflicts impact our societies, reconciliation is a cornerstone for building lasting peace. True reconciliation, however, is not an easy journey. It requires listening to each other, peer-to-peer learning, empathy and tolerance.
Today we pledge to reinforce our common efforts to apply collective and concrete actions throughout the entire UN system in order to fight antisemitism, racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and other forms of intolerance, including on the grounds of religion or belief to build more peaceful and inclusive societies.
I thank you.
Human Rights Council ‒ 57th session
Item 9: General Debate
Joint statement by the European Union on behalf of a group of countries
3 October 2024
Mr. President,
I have the honour to deliver this joint statement on behalf of the 27 EU Member States, Australia, Canada, Iceland, Japan, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United States of America.
We are reacting to the statement on behalf of the Russian Federation delivered by a representative of the so-called administration in the territory of Ukraine temporarily controlled by Russia.
We recall the relevant UNGA resolution(s) [A/RES/76/179, A/RES/77/229 /A/RES/78/221/ A/RES/ES-11/4] which recognise(s) the status of this territory as an integral part of Ukraine.
We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, extending to its territorial waters. We reiterate our strongest condemnation of Russia’s aggression and its attempts to acquire Ukraine’s territory by force in flagrant violation of international law, including the UN Charter. We firmly and unequivocally reject, do not and will never recognize the attempted illegal annexation by Russia of Ukraine's regions of Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.
We therefore urge Russia to refrain from letting any representative of the so-called administration in the territories of Ukraine temporarily controlled by Russia intervene on its behalf within the Human Rights Council, or in any other international fora.
I thank you.
Human Rights Council ‒ 57th session
Item 10: General Debate
Joint statement by the European Union on behalf of a group of countries
8 October 2024
Mr. President,
I am making this statement on behalf of a group of countries.
We thank the Office of the High Commissioner for the update on the human rights situation in Ethiopia published on June 14th.
We welcome the lifting of the State of Emergency in the Amhara region and encourage all parties to engage in peaceful negotiations and dialogue in order to prevent further human rights violations and abuses, and restore peace in Amhara and Oromia.
With regard to Tigray, we call on all parties to implement the outstanding provisions of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.
We welcome the adoption of the Transitional Justice Policy and a roadmap to guide its implementation, and continue to stand ready to support Ethiopia in its efforts to ensure a credible, victim-centred, transparent and independent transitional justice process, in a manner consistent with regional and international human rights standards.
Ethiopia continues to face a challenging human rights situation. We are alarmed by the high number of human rights violations and abuses by both state and non-state actors as recorded by the Office. These include those involving arbitrary arrests and detentions, killings and injuries of civilians, torture, enforced disappearances, sexual and gender-based violence and attacks on civilian property.
The ongoing conflicts hamper further progress in Ethiopia, including on the enjoyment of economic, social and cultural rights. We are also concerned about the constraints on the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and the silencing of journalists and civil society.
We encourage the Government of Ethiopia to take advantage to the fullest extent of the technical assistance available in the Office of the High Commissioner and encourage the Office to continue to monitor the situation and keep this Council informed.
I thank you.