Item 4- Human Rights Situations that require the Council’s attention

United Nations Human Rights Council 55th session: ITEM 4 - Human Rights Situations that require the Council’s attention, General Debate. Statement by Finland, 20 March 2024.

Mr. President,

Finland aligns with the EU statement. As we speak, wars, conflicts, repressive governments and non-state actors crush the aspirations and rights of so many individuals globally. Let us not leave them as notes and statistics in reports that we read. Let us be determined in our action and make it known to all of them that they matter to us dearly.

We are appalled by the humanitarian situation in Gaza. The civilians need life-saving aid now.  We recall that Israel must comply with the legally binding orders issued by the International Court of Justice, and with the full span of international humanitarian law. Hamas must be held accountable for its violations of international law and it must release all hostages immediately.

Russia continues its unlawful and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine. Russia has shown no respect for international humanitarian law or human rights law. Since February 2022, the OHCHR has verified over 10,000 civilians, including children, killed in Ukraine, with many more injured. As the High Commissioner has stated, he actual numbers are much higher.   

In Russia, those who speak up for democracy and for ending the aggression against Ukraine have to fear persecution, imprisonment and even for their lives. A journalist was sentenced to seven years in prison for speaking up for peace. A student was sentenced to a 10 day imprisonment for having his wifi-network named Slava Ukraini. Many have been arrested just for paying respects for Navalny. We have great admiration for the courage of these people.  

We echo the High Commissioner’s call on China to implement the recommendations made by the OHCHR and treaty bodies in relation to laws, policies and practises that violate human rights, including in Xinjiang and Tibet.  The restrictions on media and civil society including those in the national security laws in Hong Kong also remain a concern.

The conflict in Sudan is a horrifying chapter of death, displacement and trauma and deserves more attention than it is currently receiving. 18 million people are facing acute food insecurity. The reports of sexual violence including rape, gang rape and attempted rape are excruciating – even children are not spared. We call for an immediate cessation of hostilities. We urge all parties of the conflict to end this suffering and come together for an inclusive political process enabling the resumption of Sudan’s democratic transition, for a prosperous, peaceful Sudan.

In Afghanistan, the human rights situation continues to worsen, with women and children bearing the heaviest burden. The situation is dystopic: as cases of gender based violence go up, accountability seems to go down. The system of discrimination, segregation, disrespect for human dignity and exclusion of women and girls is unparalleled.

There can be no impunity for violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law. No state, no actor is above the law.

We refer also to our national and/or Nordic and Baltic statements in the interactive dialogues under item 4.

Thank you.