55th session of the UN Human Rights Council
Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing.
Nordic-Baltic Statement delivered by Ambassador for Human Rights, Tiina Jortikka-Laitinen
5 March 2024
Mr. President,
I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries. We thank the Special Rapporteur for his timely report on resettlement.
The number of persons displaced around the world continues to grow due to disasters, conflict, climate change and other drivers. We agree on the need to acknowledge poor resettlement as a global human rights issue.
Poorly executed resettlement can have long-lasting negative impacts on multiple generations. It often disproportionately affects women, minorities, Indigenous Peoples as well as persons in vulnerable situations, including persons with disabilities. Violations of the right to adequate housing affect the realization of other rights, including the rights to education, work and health.
The Special Rapporteur demonstrates that human-rights based resettlement is a planned and voluntary process. Meaningful consultation with and participation of affected persons, from the outset, is key.
We welcome the initiative to develop human-rights based guidelines on resettlement. Inclusive resettlement can facilitate political participation and self-determination and mitigate conflict.
Distinguished Special Rapporteur, how can we better ensure that the human rights of Indigenous Peoples are protected in resettlement processes?