HRC58 - NB8 statement - ID with the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief
Human Rights Council – 58th Session
Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on
Freedom of Religion or Belief
Statement delivered by Denmark on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic states
4 March 2025
President,
I have the honour of delivering this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries: Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, and my own country Denmark.
We thank the Special Rapporteur for her comprehensive overview and for providing us with important insights regarding violations of freedom of religion or belief that appear to reach the threshold of torture and ill-treatment. We commend your focus of nuancing the intersections between freedom of religion or belief and the absolute prohibition of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
The Nordic-Baltic states are fully and firmly committed to the fight against torture.
Fortunately, as you note, elaborated human rights norms and international frameworks exist on both the prohibition of torture and the right to freedom of religion or belief. We want to recall our full commitment to these standards and to our collective efforts to promote and protect them.
Special Rapporteur, how can a simultaneous analysis of violations of freedom of religion or belief and the prohibitions of torture and ill-treatment lead to a better outcome for the victims?
