The Nordic countries warmly welcome the Independent Expert on the protection against violence and discrimination based on SOGI as well as the Special Rapporteur on Summary Executions to the Human Rights Council. Our countries strongly support your work and mandates.
We are deeply troubled, to say the least, to note that consensual same-sex relationships remain criminalized in over 70 countries, and that some states even continue to apply the death penalty as a punishment for such relations.
Recent reports of violations and abuses against LGBTI persons and the denial of authorities or their efforts to cover up these crimes are furthermore disheartening. They represent a serious challenge in our quest for universal human rights and respect for the principle of non-discrimination.
Mr. President,
Under no circumstances can torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment or extrajudiciary, arbitrary or summary executions be justified. It is central that we double our efforts and continue working towards further progress in the near future.
The Human Rights Council must play its part in accordance with its mandate, to ensure the protection of all human rights. This means that all of us, without exception, regardless of sex or sexual orientation and gender identity are equally entitled to the protection of international human rights law.
Mr. Muntarbhorn
The theme of your mandate is one that is cross-cutting across several human rights concerns. How do you envisage cooperating with other thematic as well as country specific mandate holders?