STATEMENT

Human Rights Council 60th Session.  

Item 2 - Interactive dialogue with the Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela.

Statement delivered by Ambassador Mr. Tormod C. ENDRESEN,  Permanent Representative of Norway on behalf of the Nordic Baltic countries:  Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden. 

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22 September 2025

President,

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic States.

We thank the Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela for the update and reiterate our full support to the important work of the mission.

We remain deeply concerned with the human rights situation in Venezuela. The State continues the repression against political opponents. We echo the FFM’s concern about continued detentions on political grounds. Furthermore, we are worried about the complicity of the judiciary and the Ombudsperson’s Office with the political authorities in the commission of human rights violations.

We call on Venezuela to comply with its international obligations, to ensure full respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and prevent irreparable harm to victims. Political violence must cease immediately and the Venezuelan people's right to freedom of expression and peaceful political participation must be respected. It is vital that the Venezuelan authorities take decisive action towards ending impunity for committed crimes.

We urge the Government of Venezuela to collaborate effectively with the United Nations mechanisms, and with the International Criminal Court.

Could you please elaborate on the level of cooperation between the FFM and the Venezuelan government? Any recommendations on how to proceed to ensure future cooperation between Venezuelan government and the United Nations?

Thank you.