General Debate under item 2; Annual report

57th Session of the UN Human Rights Council, General Debate: ITEM 2; Annual report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and reports of the Office of the High Commissioner and the Secretary-General. Oral update by the High Commissioner, 11 September 2024, Statement by Finland.

Mr. President,

Finland aligns itself with the EU statement.  We thank the High Commissioner for his update. Finland strongly supports the OHCHR’s important work to promote and protect human rights of all.

Today, Finland would like to applaud the crucial work of environmental human rights defenders.  In an age of climate change, loss of biodiversity and pollution they do trailblazing work to promote and protect the rights to food, water, sanitation, health and a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. They work to ensure that we all receive reliable information and that the voices of those affected by the triple planetary crisis are heard.

Yet their rights are too often violated. UNESCO’s recent reporting reveals that 70% of environmental journalists have been attacked for their work. In addition, at least 44 environmental journalists have been killed in the past 15 years. These numbers do not include other environmental human rights defenders.

These defenders work also in war and conflict zones. In Ukraine, Russia’s war of aggression causes significant impacts on urban and rural environments that could leave the country and the region with a toxic legacy for generations to come. It is crucial to assess the environmental damage caused by the war. Those responsible should be held accountable.

Damage to agricultural land and livestock impacts food security. In Sudan, Yemen and elsewhere man-made conflict violates the rights to food and access to safe drinking water and hygiene. These circumstances cause unbearable human suffering. In Gaza the situation is beyond imagination.

We hope this Council lends a strong voice in support of all environmental human rights defenders and for addressing human rights implications of environmental destruction in peace and in conflict.

Thank you.