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Mr President
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome the new Special Rapporteur and encourage Eritrea to cooperate with her.
As a long-standing friend of Eritrea, Norway remains concerned about the human rights situation. Upholding human rights is an integral part of a government’s duties towards its citizens and essential for achieving the SDGs. It is vital to ensure transparency both on progress made and areas where improvements are needed. We reiterate our request to Eritrea to cooperate closely with the different UN mechanisms.
Norway welcomes Eritrea’s active participation in the UPR process. We look forward to the response from the Government of Eritrea later this spring.
The rule of law is a vital basis for safeguarding Human Rights. Norway’s recent UPR-recommendations to Eritrea addressed the importance of improving the justice system. Judicial and penitentiary reforms in order to ensure compliance with international human rights law was highlighted. In October 2017, the UN organised a thematic workshop in Asmara addressing the same issues. We would appreciate the Special Rapporteur’s views on how to make progress in this area. A comprehensive approach is needed to move forward.
The new regional dynamics in the Horn of Africa is raising hopes for peace and normalisation of relations, including improved human rights situation. Norway welcomes the Government of Eritrea’s readiness to engage in human rights work both as a member of the Human Rights Council and bilaterally. We remain committed to supporting Eritrea’s efforts to fulfil its obligations.
Thank you.