National statement delivered by Ambassador Irina Schoulgin Nyoni on behalf of Sweden at the United Nations General Assembly briefing on the ongoing investigation into the conditions and circumstances resulting in the tragic death of Dag Hammarskjöld and of the members of the party accompanying him, 3 December 2018, New York.
Mr. President,
Let me first express my gratitude to the Secretary-General and the Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs for their strong commitment to and continued engagement in this matter. The Under-Secretary-General’s presence here today signals to all of us the determination of the UN leadership to see this issue to a conclusion.
Let me also express my sincere gratitude to the Eminent Person, Judge Othman, and his team for their tireless work on this matter, and to all Member States that have collaborated with, and contributed to, the investigation.
Since 2015 Judge Othman has overseen major progress in the investigation. We strongly believe we now have a unique opportunity to shed light on what happened in Ndola on the 17th of September 1961.
Mr. President,
We are pleased to learn today about the progress made within the investigation since the reappointment of Judge Othman earlier this year. We look forward to receiving the interim report to study the details further.
Let me particularly thank those Member States that have appointed national investigators to conduct dedicated reviews of national archives to determine whether additional relevant information exists.Sweden earlier this year appointed Ambassador Mathias Mossberg as special investigator to ensure that all relevant information in Swedish archives has reached the UN investigation.
We have learned from the briefing today how important the findings of the national investigators are to drive the investigation forward.
Therefore, let me strongly urge those countries that have been asked to, but have not yet appointed a national investigator, to do so without further delay. This was called for in resolution 72/252, adopted – by consensus – in this very chamber eleven months ago.
The value of an independent confirmation that all relevant information has been shared with the UN investigation cannot be underestimated.
Mr. President,
Judge Othman has concluded that the burden of proof has shifted to Member States to show that we all have conducted full reviews of records and archives, including those that remain classified. We must all show beyond any uncertainty that we have done just that. We owe it to the families of those who perished 57 years ago and to this organization itself.
We count on the full cooperation of all Member States. It is our shared responsibility to pursue the full truth in this matter.
I thank you, Mr. President.