STATEMENT
Human Rights Council 56th Session.
Item 10 - Presentation of reports on technical cooperation and oral update on Georgia followed by general debate under agenda item 10
Statement delivered by Ambassador Mr. Tormod C. ENDRESEN,
Permanent Representative of Norway.
Check against delivery
02 april 2025
President,
We thank the High Commissioner and the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the UN Voluntary Fund [for Technical Cooperation in the field of Human Rights] for the updates presented to the Council.
Technical cooperation is key in assisting States to implement their human rights obligations and commitments and can contribute to prevention of human rights violations.
We welcome the ongoing engagement by many states with the Office of the High Commissioner. We further encourage all states to provide the Office with unrestricted access to monitor and report on the human rights situation.
Technical assistance and capacity building has its greatest potential when a state is fully committed to addressing human rights issues. UPR-recommendations provide a good place to start. Capacity and expertise provided through a Council mandate should include benchmarks to monitor progress and implementation, and reporting to the Council.
However, when violations are grave, widespread and systematic, possibly amounting to international crimes, the Council has a responsibility to respond by mandating independent investigations and providing documentation for a path for accountability.
Norway is a longstanding champion for predictable and flexible funding to the UN. We see technical cooperation within human rights as a good investment towards building just, peaceful and sustainable societies.
Thank you.