HRC53 - Iceland statement - Annual report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Item 2: Interactive dialogue on the annual report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Statement by Iceland
20 June 2023
Mr President.
I would like to thank the High Commissioner - and his Office – for their tireless work in promoting and protecting human rights around the world.
As the High Commissioner highlighted, the human rights pillar remains chronically underfunded. Meanwhile, the need for a well-resourced and effective international human rights framework continues to increase.
In your remarks, Mr High Commissioner, you paid tribute to countries that engage constructively with OHCHR and international human rights bodies.
Iceland is a stern supporter of Special Procedures and Treaty Bodies. Cooperating and engaging with all mechanisms should be the norm and we urge all countries to do so unconditionally. No one is above scrutiny.
The 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights presents a valuable opportunity to both look inwards as well as outwards – to take stock of opportunities and challenges and commit to improving and enhancing our respective national frameworks in line with international human rights obligations, and to collectively re-commit to respecting, protecting and fulfilling the human rights of all.
Let us continue to work together to ensure that the vision of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is fully realised for all persons, everywhere, in all their diversity.