Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing

58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council - Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing. Statement by Finland on behalf of the Nordic Baltic states, Delivered by H.E. Ambassador Heidi Schroderus-Fox, Permanent Representative of Finland, 7th of March 2025.

Mr. President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries, Estonia, Denmark, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Finland. We thank the Special Rapporteur for his report.

We are concerned to hear that more people are inadequately housed today than at any time in recent history. Conflict, a cost-of-living crisis, as well as inequality, increasing homelessness, the worsening impacts of the climate crisis and increasing displacement contribute to this situation. Human rights are interrelated and homelessness, for example, can lead to violations of other human rights.

Persons in vulnerable situations, such as migrants, are particularly at risk of violations of their right to adequate housing. We agree with the importance of ensuring that shelter and housing policies, programmes and implementation arrangements are tailored to the specific needs of persons at risk of marginalization.

Distinguished Special Rapporteur, how can we ensure the participation of persons in vulnerable situations, including migrants, women, and persons with disabilities, in the design of human rights based shelter and housing policies? What role can civil society play in this?

I thank you.