HRC63 - NB8 Statement - ID with SR on the promotion of truth, justice, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence

63rd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council
Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence
Statement delivered by Estonia on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic States
15 September 2026

Mr President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic States. We thank the Special Rapporteur for the report and for his important work.

Organized denial of serious violations of human rights and humanitarian law has long been a feature of repressive regimes. We share the concern about the various forms of denialism promoted by State officials, politicians, and others, including the glorification of past violations, the manipulation of memory and laws, and technology‑driven disinformation. Contemporary forms of denialism, augmented by the rise of social media, digital technologies, and artificial intelligence, constitute a significant threat to integrity, effectiveness and sustainability of transitional justice processes.

We agree that transparency and disclosure regarding gross human rights violations, together with access to knowledge and education, including on digital and information literacy and critical thinking, constitute the most effective tools for countering denialism.

We believe that past crimes must be adequately addressed in order to build democratic, inclusive and peaceful societies, grounded in truth, justice, reparations, memory and guarantees of non-recurrence.

Special Rapporteur,

What measures could encourage States to fulfil their obligation to disclose information and truth about past violations of international human rights or humanitarian law?

I thank you.