STATEMENT
Human Rights Council 59th Session.
Item 2 - Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Eritrea
Statement delivered by Ambassador Mr. Tormod C. ENDRESEN,
Permanent Representative of Norway on behalf of
the Nordic Baltic countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden.
Check against delivery
16 June 2025
President,
The Nordic-Baltic countries thank the Special Rapporteur for his report and confirm our support to renew the mandate.
We welcome Eritrea’s ratification of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and reported progress on social rights.
Eritrea is, however, still marked by systematic violations of civil and political rights, including absence of rule of law, lack of access to justice, the stifling of civic engagement, and severe curtailment of freedom of expression, association and assembly.
We note with concern that Eritrea has not taken steps to reform elements of its national service inconsistent with international human rights, including the indefinite duration of service and militarization of education.
We underscore the importance of protecting women’s and girls’ rights in Eritrea. We encourage Eritrean authorities to continue to combat sexual and gender-based violence, and also to continue to combat female genital mutilation and child, early and forced marriage.
Further, we urge the Eritrean Government to end the practice of arbitrary detention, torture, and inhumane prison conditions, and to develop independent rule-of-law institutions to protect human rights.
Once again, we reiterate our call on Eritrea to fully co-operate with the Council’s mechanisms, including by granting the Special Rapporteur full and unhindered access to the country.
I thank you.