HRC62 Interactive Dialogue on High Commissioner's Annual Report

62nd Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council: Interactive Dialogue on High Commissioner's Annual Report. National statement delivered by Ambassador Heidi Schroderus-Fox, Permanent Representative of Finland on Tuesday 16 June 2026.

High Commissioner,

Thank you for your comprehensive report and insightful statement. Your office has our strong and unwavering support.

Regarding women’s and girls’ rights and gender equality, we must confront both persistent and emerging threats. The digital space has become a new battleground for women’s and girls’ rights. Disinformation and AI are increasingly used to target women and girls through coordinated harassment, false narratives, and gendered attacks that undermine their credibility and silence their participation in public life. From an early age, girls are exposed to constant sexualized messaging and harassment through their phones, even within the safety of their own homes.

Furthermore, the spread of disinformation and AI manipulation of it form a threat to freedom of expression and opinion.

I want to call attention to the Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine, which continues to subject civilians to attacks, displacement, and grave human rights violations, including in Crimea.

Marking 20 years of the Human Rights Council, we commend its achievements in advancing human rights. As true today as 20 years ago: human rights are universal and belong to everyone.

Thank you.