STATEMENT
Human Rights Council 47th Session.
Item 2: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Eritrea.
Statement delivered by Ambassador Tine Mørch Smith, Permanent Representative of Norway on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries
(Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden)
Check against delivery
21 June 2021
I have the honour of speaking on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries.
We would like to thank the Special Rapporteur for his update.
We reiterate our grave concerns of Eritrean forces presence and continuing reports of serious human rights violations in Tigray. We welcome the March agreement between President Afwerki and Prime Minister Abiy on the withdrawal of Eritrean troops from Tigray and call for immediate implementation of the withdrawal.
We welcome the ongoing investigation by OHCHR and Ethiopian Commission for Human Rights of alleged human rights violations and abuses in Tigray. Impunity cannot be accepted; perpetrators need to be brought to justice in full respect of fair trial guarantees.
We remain concerned about persistent human rights violations and abuses in Eritrea. We call upon the Government to ensure the respect for all human rights of all its citizens. We strongly encourage the Government to implement accepted recommendations from the Universal periodic review.
Finally, we urge the Government to strengthen its engagement with the Council’s mechanisms, including by granting the Special Rapporteur full and unhindered access to the country.
Dr. Babiker,
How can the international community support necessary efforts to improve the human rights situation in Eritrea.
Thank you.