STATEMENT
Human Rights Council 52nd Session.
Item 2 - General debate on the oral update by the High Commissioner, reports on OHCHR activities in Colombia, Guatemala and Honduras, OHCHR oral update on Cyprus. Statement Norway (7.03.23)
Statement delivered by Ambassador Tine Mørch Smith,
Permanent Representative of Norway.
Check against delivery
7 March 2023
High Commissioner,
you can count on Norway’s strong support for the independence of your mandate, and for the vital role of your Office in the promotion and protection of human rights worldwide.
The Human Rights Council and its special procedures and investigations, and the OHCHR are here to support States to fulfill their human rights obligations. The Council has a mandate to address situations of human rights violations wherever they occur. Human rights defenders and civil society are also instrumental in protecting and promoting human rights.
We urge all states to issue standing invitations to all special procedures and facilitate cooperation with the relevant mandates of the Council.
We are alarmed by Mali’s decision to expel the Director of MINUSMA's Human Rights Division and Representative of the UN High Commissioner in the country.
Norway acknowledges the positive development of the cooperation between the government and the OHCHR in countries like Colombia.
We call on Israel to grant access to the Occupied Palestinian Territory for all OHCHR staff.
Finally, we call on all states to cooperate in the follow-up of reports from the OHCHR, including China with regards to the report on Xinjiang.
Thank you.