HRC51 - NB8 statement - Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP)

Human Rights Council – 51st session

Item 3&5 - Interactive dialogue with the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP)

Nordic-Baltic Statement, delivered by Finland

28 September 2022

Mr President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries, Denmark together with Greenland, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and my own country, Finland.

We welcome the annual report of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

We applaud EMRIP for its leadership in discussions on enhanced participation of Indigenous Peoples at the Human Rights Council. We will engage actively in the forthcoming workshop in November and look forward to taking concrete next steps.

We reiterate your call to guarantee indigenous human rights defenders a safe living and working environment, without discrimination, fear of reprisals, intimidation or threats of any kind. The additional risks faced by indigenous women human rights defenders must be addressed.

We strongly condemn the increase in cases of harassment against Indigenous Peoples’ representatives, particularly women leaders, attending UN meetings. This simply must stop.

Members of the EMRIP, what are your expectations from us Member States at the forthcoming workshop?