Statement delivered by First Secretary, Mr Sean Lobo
Mr Vice President,
I would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for her briefing and express Norway’s appreciation for her initiative to visit Norway early this year.
The Joint Declaration of Peace and Friendship with Ethiopia is a positive step that could lay the ground for economic growth and improvements of living conditions for the people of Eritrea. We encourage Eritrea to follow up this positive momentum with domestic reforms.
As a long standing friend of Eritrea, Norway remains concerned about the human rights situation. Upholding human rights is an integral part of any government’s obligations towards its citizens and it is essential for achieving the SDGs. It is vital to ensure transparency, both on progress made and on areas where improvements are needed.
Norway encourages Eritrea to continue to cooperate with the various UN mechanisms to protect and promote human rights, and remains committed to supporting Eritrea’s efforts to fulfil its obligations.
We would be interested to hear the views of the Special Rapporteur on how UN and the international community could partner with Eritrea in advancing Rule of Law reforms?
Thank you.