Chair,
The technological revolution is hitting us like a thunderstorm. The UN Secretary-General has said runaway artificial intelligence represents one of three existential threats to humanity, alongside the climate crisis and increasing inequality.
International law and human rights are under mounting pressure. Across the world, crises and armed conflicts are causing immense human suffering and loss of life. Yet violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law too often go unpunished.
Civic space is shrinking and democratic institutions are being eroded. The challenges to human rights are many.
This pressure is also normative. Established international standards and agreed human rights language are increasingly being questioned, reopened or diluted. We must resist attempts to weaken universal commitments or replace clear obligations with selective or ambiguous formulations.
Upholding the rules-based international order, defending the integrity of established norms and ensuring accountability are essential—not only in times of peace, but especially in times of crisis and conflict.
To put our words into action, we must also ensure the safety of – and create an enabling environment for – those who stand up for the rights of others. Human rights defenders, journalists and media workers play a key role in holding those in power accountable and defending human rights.
The participation of civil society actors and human rights defenders is integral to advancing the work of the United Nations. Norway condemns all forms of reprisals against human rights defenders and against anyone cooperating with the UN.
Rapid technological change is reshaping our societies. The point of departure is clear; human rights are the same, and apply in the same manner, online and offline. Human rights must therefore be protected by design, and throughout the entire life cycle, of new technologies—from development and testing to deployment and use.
The President of Finland and the Prime Minister of Norway have launched an international call for governance and control of the development of frontier AI models. The call underscores that AI must be developed and used in line with international law.
Chair,
After years of progress, we see backsliding of women’s and girl’s rights, sexual and reproductive health and rights, and gender equality. This is part of a broader pushback against human rights and inclusive participation. Institutions promoting gender equality are weakened. Funding is declining. Civic space is shrinking. Women in political and public life face more threats and violence, including coordinated online campaigns of sexist or misogynistic content, and direct or indirect threats of physical or sexual violence.
The human rights of LGBTI+-persons are also under increasing threat. In some countries, new laws criminalize people simply for being who they are, or for being vocal about the fact that we all are entitled to the same rights and opportunities. Attacks on LGBTI+ rights cannot be seen in isolation, they are often part of a broader challenge to civic space, pluralism, and democratic participation.
For Norway, women’s and girls’ rights and rights of LGBTI+ persons are at the very heart of our foreign and development policy. We are certain: a just world is an equal world. A world where everyone has the same rights and opportunities.
Every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and no one should have to hide their identity or live in fear of discrimination. We must stand firm in protecting human rights of everyone, everywhere, always.
Chair,
Human rights defenders around the world are under increasing pressure. Demands and needs for their important work are growing even as funding declines, and they face new and evolving challenges.
Artificial intelligence and other new technologies have created new platforms for human rights defenders to express their views and reach wider audiences. At the same time, these technologies expose defenders to new risks, including:
- online violence and harassment, including sexual and gender-based violence;
- surveillance
- transnational repression
The role of TECH companies, in addition to states, in addressing these challenges is crucial.
This autumn, Norway will again facilitate the omnibus resolution on human rights defenders to the Committee. In the context of the UN80 reform agenda and efforts to improve efficiency, the resolution will now be presented every three years and in line with resolution 80/251 it will be presented with a concept note and a review clause.
The resolution will address artificial intelligence and other new and emerging technologies, and their implications for the work and protection of human rights defenders.
We look forward to active and constructive engagement in the negotiations so that we can once again unite around a strong text protecting those at the forefront of defending the rights of others.
Norway continues our fight for human rights and will work with all Member States to protect the dignity and freedom of every human being. We will support the work of this Committee, and we are ready to assume more responsibility as we candidate for the Human Rights Council (HRC) for the term 2028-2030.
Thank you!