Statement on the opening session of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference

Thank you, Madame/Mister Chair,

Excellencies, distinguished delegates,

The protection and promotion of human rights and democracy is at the heart of Iceland’s foreign policy and integral to ensuring peace, security, and justice. The OSCE, and its comprehensive approach towards security, are key to attaining these goals and one of the great strengths of our organization.

Today, we are faced with a serious pushback against human rights, multilateralism, and democratic values that are anchored in international law, including gender equality and women’s rights. We must work together to reverse these trends and to protect and preserve the values of human dignity and human rights – for all people, in all our countries.

Iceland is grateful to the Chairpersonship of Malta for creating the circumstances for the OSCE Participating States and civil society to engage in important discussions on these critical issues, by convening the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.

Madame/Mister Chair, Iceland reiterates once again its strong condemnation of Russia’s continued systematic violation and abuse of international humanitarian law and human rights law.

The human impact of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is immense and wide-ranging, including on Ukraine’s environment and its liveability. We are particularly concerned about Russia’s continued attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, and the toll it exerts on civilians. This war is waged not only against todays Ukrainians, but also against its future generations by deteriorating its environment to its core.

Iceland also calls on Russia to stop the arbitrary deprivation of liberty of Ukrainian civilians, as established by the latest Moscow Mechanism. Thousands of Ukrainian civilians have been unlawfully detained, including SMM staff members, and many subjected to inhumane treatment. Iceland urges Russia to release them and other detainees immediately. Furthermore, the forcible and despicable transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children remains a primary concern. Full accountability and justice must be ensured in accordance with international law. 

Madame/Mister Chair,

Iceland strongly condemns the illegal involvement of Belarusian authorities in Russia’s war. We condemn its enhanced autocracy since the fraudulent elections four years ago and complete disregard for democratic principles, including by attacking the fundamental rights and freedoms of its civil society. The Vienna Mechanism, invoked earlier this year, has to date not been responded to by Belarusian authorities. We call once more on the Belarusian authorities to cease the unlawful detention of Belarusian citizens and release all political prisoners immediately.

Madame/Mister Chair,

Iceland has been committed to support Georgia’s democratic development ever since the restoration of its independence and wishes to see it thrive as a sovereign, democratic nation integrated into the European and Euro-Atlantic community. We will continue to support the Georgian people in their pursuit of a prosperous, democratic future within Europe, including in the upcoming elections on October 26.

However, we are deeply concerned by the path that the Georgian government has chosen, in particular as relates to the adoption of the legislative package on “family values and protection of minors”, as well as the adoption of the “Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence” last May.

Everyone deserves basic human rights free from discrimination. Freedom of expression is fundamental to a well functioning democracy. The values of freedom, human rights, democracy and the rule of law are not a price of admission into the Euro-Atlantic community – they are very real foundation to increased prosperity and peace. We urge Georgia’s political leaders to change course and to repeal the “Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence” and the legislative package on “family values and protection of minors”. 

Madame/Mister Chair,

Tomorrow, on 1 October, Ukraine will celebrate the Day of Ukraine’s Defenders, and in accordance with Ukraine’s inherent right to self-defence, the people of Ukraine have shown that democracy, rule of law, freedom, and human rights are values worth fighting for. Iceland remains firmly committed to Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. We will support Ukraine for as long as it takes.

Iceland looks forward to engaging in the work of the Warsaw Human Dimension Conference in the coming two weeks.

I thank you, Madame/Mister Chair.