STATEMENT
Human Rights Council 52nd Session.
Item 4 - General debate on human rights situations that require the Council’s attention, report by the High Commissioner on DPRK
Statement delivered by Ambassador Tine Mørch Smith,
Permanent Representative of Norway
Check against delivery
22 March 2023
President,
Norway condemns Russia’s illegal aggression, which causes massive destruction and suffering in Ukraine, including deportation of children. The global consequences are alarming.
The many reports of shrinking space for civil society, free debate and public demonstration of dissent are concerning. When civic space is tightened, minorities are often affected. We regret that as much as 85% of the world’s population lives in countries rated as closed, repressed, or obstructed (according to Civicus monitor).
Russia and Belarus repress civil society, and misuse the justice system to silence criticism.
Taliban’s brutal repression of Afghan women and girls and sustained abuse of their human rights must end.
We are concerned about the human rights situation in Xinjiang and the severe restrictions of civic space in Hong Kong. The right to a fair trial must be safeguarded in the National Security Law trials.
We call on Iran, Saudi Arabia and Burundi to fulfil their citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and assembly.
Finally, we urge Turkmenistan and Tajikistan to release all persons imprisoned because of their exercise of freedom of expression and journalistic activity.
I thank you.