Nordic-Baltic statement at UNGA Third Committee on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association

Thank you Mr Chair,

I am speaking on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, and my own country, Sweden.

We thank the Special Rapporteur for addressing the important issue of the link between advancing climate justice and the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association.

Efforts to halt the climate crisis must urgently be reinforced. To quote Secretary General Guterres, “we have reached a tipping point”.  Individuals, communities, and organizations across the globe have been instrumental in proving this urgency, and it is very much thanks to them that efforts to curb the climate crisis have been strengthened. They have often done so despite serious threats and disruption to their work, in violation of their right to freedom of assembly and association. Women, children, and indigenous peoples are no exception.

This is unacceptable. It is not only a setback for the global efforts to advance the climate agenda, it is also falling short of the commitments we all have undertaken under international law. As pointed out by Special rapporteur, civil society plays an essential role in addressing the climate crisis and we must do our utmost to ensure that they can carry out their work in a safe and enabling environment, in line with our international commitments.    

We therefore urge member states and other stakeholders to adhere to Special Rapporteur’s recommendations on how to ensure that those fighting for climate justice can undertake their work with full respect for their right to freedom of assembly and association.

-The report mentions the difficulty of achieving meaningful participation at UN climate forums. How should this in your view be addressed with regard to the upcoming COP 26 in Glasgow?

I thank you!