HRC51 - NB8 statement - SG's report on cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights

Human Rights Council – 51st session

Item 5 - Interactive Dialogue on the Secretary-General's report on cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights

Nordic-Baltic Statement, delivered by Latvia

28 September 2022

Mr President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries – Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden, and Latvia.

We thank the Assistant Secretary-General for presenting the annual report on intimidation and reprisals.

The Nordic-Baltic countries strongly condemn all acts of intimidation, harassment and reprisals. The continuously high number of reprisals reported is alarming, as is the fact that many of the countries cited in the report are members of or candidate States to this Council.

Often these acts are indicative of a broader practice of shutting down civic space, including by imposing disproportionate requirements on CSO funding and reporting, and using counter-terrorism or national security legislation to restrict legitimate activities of CSOs, activists and journalists.

We call on all States and non-State actors to ensure an open, secure and safe environment for civil society and human rights defenders, free from all acts of intimidation, harassment and reprisals.

Women are most at risk of intimidation and reprisals. The Nordic-Baltic countries are committed to protecting women from all acts of intimidation and reprisals and ensuring that their voices continue to be heard and they are able to safely and meaningfully engage with this Council and all other UN bodies and mechanisms.

Assistant Secretary-General, what concrete actions can this Council take to address acts of intimidation and reprisals in a gender-transformative manner?