Statement delivered by H.E. Maria Malmer Stenergard, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sweden. 24 February 2025.
President, Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,
It is an honour to address you today. I regret that I cannot be with you in person.
The protection of human rights is a priority for Sweden, and the Human Rights Council is vital in shining a light on the worst violations and abuses of human rights.
In recent years, the Council has demonstrated its determination and its capacity to act to make sure that those responsible can be held to account. I am confident that by continuing to work together, we can achieve even more.
To do this, we must cooperate with civil society.
We must provide a safe space for human rights defenders.
And we must continue to support the crucial and independent work of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and his Office.
Mr President,
For three brutal years now, the Ukrainians have fought for their freedom in the face of Russia’s full-scale invasion.
In report after report, the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has documented countless violations and war crimes, crimes against humanity, committed by the Russian authorities.
Executions of prisoners of war. Systematic torture and rape. The forcible transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children.
Russia has shown no willingness to take responsibility for these crimes, nor to end its aggression.
It is essential that the Council renews the mandate of the Commission and holds Russia accountable.
There is a clear connection between Russia’s external aggression and its internal repression.
The human rights situation in Russia, and its accomplice, Belarus, is alarming, and deteriorating.
Mr President,
The ceasefire in Gaza is an enormous relief. It must now be fully implemented. All hostages need to be released. A negotiated two-state solution remains the only path to sustainable peace and security.
Mr President,
Sweden will work to ensure that gender equality remains a priority for the Council.
The current push-back against the human rights of women and girls and LGBTIQ-persons - is extremely worrying.
In countries such as Afghanistan and Iran, the oppression of women and girls is so widespread and so systematic, that it intends “to suppress women and girls into total submission’’ according to the Special Rapporteurs.
We cannot let that happen.
Thirty years after the adoption of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, we simply must do better.
Mr President,
As UN Member States, we are the guardians of international human rights law. This is not a responsibility we should take lightly.
It is vital for global peace, security and sustainable development that we honour our obligations.
That we do our utmost to respect, protect and fulfil human rights, for everyone, everywhere.
This job is never finished – this is true also in my own country, Sweden. We look forward to the upcoming UPR review this spring, to inspire our ongoing willingness to improve.
We all need to show willingness – the willingness to investigate and offer reparations for violations, to take responsibility, to listen, to include, to improve.
I am convinced that the Human Rights Council works best if it can help foster such willingness – and translate it into concrete action, and results.
Thank you.
