STATEMENT
Human Rights Council 45th Session.
Item 4 Human rights situations that require the Council’s attention.
Norway’s statement, as delivered by Ambassador Tine Mørch Smith, Permanent Representative of Norway
25 September 2020
Check against delivery
Mdm President,
When journalists and media workers are attacked or censored, our freedom of expression and right to information is at stake.
Norway encourages Egypt, Russia and Djibouti to protect its media workers and human rights defenders, allowing them the freedom to expression and assembly without the risk of reprisals.
We urge Turkmenistan, Tajikistan ans Azerbaijan to immediately and unconditionally release all persons imprisoned because of their exercise of freedom of expression and journalistic activity.
Zimbabwe and Cote D’Ivoire are encouraged to allow peaceful protests and protect their citizens’ rights to assembly and freedom of expression.
The lack of civil and political rights in the DPRK is appalling.
The courage of peaceful protesters in Belarus is impressive.
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 unproportionately affected.
We call on China to uphold the democratic rights and fundamental freedoms of the people of Hong Kong, and to allow UN-mandated observers unrestricted access to Xinjiang.
Attacks anywhere on journalists, media workers or human rights defenders is unacceptable, and all such acts should be prosecuted.
Thank you.