STATEMENT
Human Rights Council 46th Session.
Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human right defenders, Ms Mary Lawlor
Statement delivered by Ambassador Tine Mørch Smith,
Permanent Representative of Norway
Check against delivery
8 March 2021
Thank you, Madame President.
Madame Special Rapporteur,
We welcome the report by the Special Rapporteur to the Council on human rights defenders. The extent of the killings and threats to human rights defenders is deeply worrying. We note with great concern your findings regarding the connection between threats and killings; that threats often precede the killings of human rights defenders.
We appreciate the detailed recommendations to states to address this issue, including by ending impunity. In your view, how can we ensure greater accountability in cases where human rights defenders are killed?
The Mandate continues to prove its relevance and significance, not least in bringing the issue of killings of human rights defenders to the fore. We call on all states to support the mandate, to follow up on the recommendations in the report, and to protect and ensure a safe and enabling environment for all human rights defenders.
Thank you