STATEMENT
Human Rights Council 48th Session
Item 10: Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner's report on the Democratic Republic of Congo and final report of experts on Kasai
Statement by the Nordic - Baltic Countries.
Delivered by: H.E. Ms Anna Jardfelt, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the UN in Geneva
5 October 2021
Mme President,
I make this statement on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries.
Thank you, Madam High Commissioner, for your report on the situation of human rights in the DRC and to the Team of International Experts on the situation in Kasai for their final report.
The reported large number of attacks against civilians in eastern DRC remains a serious concern. We note the introduction of the state of siege in the provinces of North Kivu and Ituri. Human rights can be derogated from under certain circumstances. However, any such derogations must be limited to the extent strictly required by the exigencies of the situation, not inconsistent with other obligations under international law and non-discriminatory.
Madame High Commissioner, would you be able to elaborate more on the consequences so far of the state of siege on the respect for human rights in the region?
Those responsible for serious human rights violations or abuses must be held accountable. Daily reports of serious violations and abuses of human rights, including extra-judicial killings, attacks against civilians and sexual and gender-based violence call for increased attention to the plight of the civilian population in the area. Justice should also be brought on those responsible for the murder of UN experts Zaida Catalán and Michael Sharp in 2017. It is of utmost importance that the trial takes all evidence into consideration.
Thank you.