General debate on item 4: Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention

51st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council: ITEM 4 - Human Rights Situations that require the Council’s attention, General Debate. Statement by Finland, Delivered by H.E. Ambassador Kirsti Kauppi, Finland, 26 September 2022

Chairperson,

Finland aligns itself with the EU statement.

This Council is a key guardian of the UN Charter’s commitment to promote universal respect for, and observance of, human rights for all. It has a duty to prevent and ensure accountability for human rights violations and abuses, no matter where they occur.   

Finland condemns Russia’s unlawful invasion of Ukraine. Russia lethally attacks ordinary people in their homes, in hospitals, in shopping malls, in train stations. Reports of summary executions, enforced disappearances and torture by Russian troops on the ground in Ukraine are appalling. The world deserves to know what happened in Bucha, Izyum and elsewhere. Victims deserve reparations and justice. Russia and its agents must be held accountable.

We condemn the involvement of Belarus in this aggression.

Chairperson,

Non-discrimination and freedom of speech are cornerstones of democratic and thriving societies.

The human rights situation in Russia is deeply concerning.  Freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association are severely curtailed. Individuals are arbitrarily detained for expressing opinions or sharing information.

Human rights defenders, intellectuals, lawyers, journalists and many others face severe suppression in China. We welcome the release of the OHCHR’s report on Xinjiang. Its assessment is deeply concerning.

Finland regrets reports of intimidation and reprisals against those seeking to cooperate with the United Nations in the field of human rights. In addition to situations mentioned earlier, the Secretary-General’s reporting of restrictions on, or reprisals for, their work in several countries is concerning, including in Afghanistan, Belarus, Burundi, DRC Congo, Iran, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Viet Nam and Venezuela.

The situation in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel remains a concern. While Finland recognizes the legitimate right of Israel to protect its citizens against any attacks, we underline that any reaction must be proportionate and in line with human rights and international humanitarian law. A strong civil society is indispensable for promoting democratic values and for the two-state solution.  We also call on the Palestinian authority to uphold international law. We recall in this regard also the responsibility of the de facto authorities in Gaza.

 

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Finland refers also to our statements in the dialogues with the High Commissioner on Belarus and with the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine as well as Nordic and Baltic countries’ statements under item 4. We also refer to our national statement in the general debate under item 2.

Thank you.