49th session of the Human Rights Council
Annual high-level panel discussion on human rights mainstreaming:
The contribution of universal participation to the mainstreaming of human rights throughout the United Nations system on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the Voluntary Technical Assistance Trust Fund to Support the Participation of
Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States
in the Work of the Human Rights Council
28.2.2022
Nordic-Baltic Intervention by H.E. Ambassador Kirsti Kauppi, Finland
Mr. President, Excellencies, distinguished colleagues
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries: Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and my own country Finland.
We welcome this discussion and give our full support to securing universal participation in the entire UN system, including the Human Rights Council.
The Nordic-Baltic countries are fully committed in ensuring that the voice of all states groups and individuals, in all their diversity, is heard in an equal and inclusive way in this Council.
Human rights belong are universal . It is therefore key that all countries are represented in discussions and decision-making processes that are aimed to protect everyone’s enjoyment of all human rights in their respective countries.
In addition to the voice of UN Member States, we need expertise and grass-root knowledge of other stakeholders in this Council. The Nordic-Baltic countries highlight the importance of increasing the participation of civil society and human rights defenders, including not least women and girls, in our work. In addition, we are committed to enhancing the participation of indigenous peoples’ representatives and institutions in relevant United Nations bodies on issues affecting them.
Distinguished panelists,
In your view, how could we strengthen the voice of non-governmental stakeholders [from the least developed countries] in this Council?