STATEMENT
Human Rights Council 59th Session.
End of Session Statement.
Statement delivered by Ms. Sigrun S. HOLTER, First Secretary,
Permanent Mission of Norway in Geneva
Check against delivery
8 June 2025
President,
[We take this opportunity to underscore a few takeaways from HRC59.]
Violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity is on the rise. We therefore welcome the renewal of the mandate of the Independent Expert [on SOGI] by a clear majority.
Norway also welcome the adoption by consensus of the resolutions on eliminating Violence Against Women and Girls and Female Genital Mutilation. In the latter, we would have liked to see language on reproductive rights and a better recognition that FGM often takes place within families.
We welcome the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on [the situation of human rights in] Eritrea and regret the separate initiative to discontinue this mandate.
Where grave violations occur, this Council has a duty to mandate investigation, monitoring, reporting and paths to accountability. Cooperation with the Council’s mechanisms is key but not a prerequisite.
The liquidity and funding crisis weakens the UN’s ability to address human rights violations and to provide technical cooperation and capacity-building.
We urge all states to fulfil their funding commitments and to pay their dues in time. Core funding to OHCHR is particularly important, not least for safeguarding its independence [and for strengthening efficiency].
The current situation should not be used as a pretext to micromanage the Office or relitigate mandates. At the same time, we look forward to the Office informing better and earlier about changes in mandated activities.
Finally, to aid UN80 and the Council’s rationalisation and efficiency process, States should do more to reduce duplication and find synergies. We will do our part.
Thank you.