HRC55 - NB8 statement - Item4: General debate

Human Rights Council – 55th session

Item 4 General Debate: Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention

Statement by Iceland

20 March 2024

Mr. President.

Iceland expresses grave concern over the mounting evidence of war crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine, including systematic use of torture, rape, and wilful killing. We remain deeply alarmed by the ongoing civilian suffering caused by gross violations of international humanitarian and human rights law.

We are deeply concerned about the unprecedented level of human rights violations in Belarus and restrictions to political participation resulting in failure to meet conditions for fair and legitimate elections on 25 February. We condemn ill-treatment of political prisoners and politically motivated sentencing.

In Gaza, we are gravely concerned about imminent famine and reiterate our call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. We condemn the terrorist attacks of 7 October, call for the release of all hostages, and reiterate that the two-state solution is the only sustainable way forward.

In Afghanistan, we deplore the Taliban’s draconian restrictions on the human rights of women and girls. Systematic and institutionalised gender-based discrimination and violence must end. The situation merits a discussion about the application of gender to the definition of apartheid.

We remain deeply concerned about human rights violations of ethnic and religious minorities in China. We urge China to abide by its international human rights obligations and to immediately implement OHCHR’s recommendations.

In closing, Iceland refers to Nordic-Baltic statements on the situation in DPRK, Iran, Myanmar and Syria in respective interactive dialogues.

I thank you.