STATEMENT
Human Rights Council 51st Session.
Item 2 - General debate on the oral update by the High Commissioner.
Statement delivered by Ambassador Tine Mørch Smith, Permanent Representative of Norway.
Check against delivery
13 September 2022
President,
We thank the Acting High Commissioner for her update. The independence and integrity of the Office is vital for the credibility of UN efforts to safeguard human rights and for this Council. We look forward to working closely with High Commissioner Türk.
We face an exceptional set of crises: War, food and energy insecurity, climate change – drought as well as flooding. Sadly, the most vulnerable are the hardest hit. A strong UN human rights pillar is needed more than ever. Serious human rights situations require follow-up by this Council.
Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine is in its seventh month. Norway reiterates in the strongest terms our condemnation of this unprovoked war of aggression. The devastating consequences are felt by millions of Ukrainians. Protection of civilians is paramount. Also crucial are human rights monitoring and documentation of violations of international law.
We are also deeply concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in Russia.
We welcome the OHCHR assessment of human rights in Xinjiang. It finds that serious violations have been committed against Uyghurs and other minorities. We urge China to fully collaborate with the UN human rights system to ensure compliance with its binding international human rights obligations.
Thank you.