HRC45 - NB8 statement - Working Group on Arbitrary Detention

Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention

21 September

Statement by Lithuania on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries

Thank you President.

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

The prohibition of arbitrary deprivation of liberty is absolute and universal. Such deprivation can never be justified. We thank the Working Group for its continued efforts to prevent and end this practice.

We note with great concern the recent cases of arbitrary detention around the world, which are often associated with other severe human rights violations, such as torture and enforced disappearance.  We regret the low response rates to the Working Groups’ communications and call on all States to cooperate with the Working Group, including by responding positively to requests for country visits, urgent appeals and communications and by following up on its opinions and condemn the acts of reprisals against those who choose to do so.

The Nordic and Baltic countries fully share the recommendations by the WG on the urgent need to address the situation on female detainees, to ensure full enjoyment of the right to effective legal assistance and the need to address the issue of modern technologies in the context of deprivation of liberty.

To this end, how could the Working Group facilitate prompt and comprehensive implementation of these recommendations by the Member States?