STATEMENT
45th UPR Session of the Human Rights Council on the human rights situation in Nigeria, as delivered by Mr Tormod C. ENDRESEN, Ambassador - Permanent Representative to the UN and other International Organizations.
The Permanent Mission of Norway in Geneva.
Check against delivery
23 January 2024
President,
Norway welcomes Nigeria’s commitment to implement the Safe Schools Declaration. However, we remain concerned regarding the rights of women and girls.
Norway recommends that Nigeria:
- Ensures women and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights and take measures against sexual and gender-based violence including harmful practices.
- Further develop and implement strategies ensuring all citizens, regardless of socio-economic status, gender, residency, religion, or ethnicity, have equal and safe access to healthcare and education.
- Take measures to ensure safe and enabling environment for human rights defenders, particularly those promoting the rights of the LGBT+ persons.
- Ensure the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and protect press freedom notably by reviewing proposed bills that prescribes limitations for newsrooms and by amending existing broadcasting laws to protect journalists.
Thank you.