Statement by Sweden on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic States. Delivered by H.E. Ms Anna Jardfelt, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the UN in Geneva.
Mr President,
I make this statement on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries.
Thank you, Madam High Commissioner and the Team of International Experts for your updates on the situation of human rights in the DRC.
We appreciate that the total number of documented human rights violations and abuses has decreased over the last year, including those related to the democratic space. The situation for civilians in Eastern DRC, however, continues to be of deep concern. We are for instance alarmed by attacks against camps for displaced persons. There has also been an increase in the number of attacks against humanitarian actors in the region, which makes their work even more difficult. This must be addressed urgently.
Madame High Commissioner, which consequences have you observed of the state of siege and of the joint operations between Uganda and DRC on the civilian population?
It is positive that the long legal process in the case of the murder of Zaida Catalán and Michael Sharp has resulted in a first instance verdict. Welcome that the Congolese authorities have confirmed that the investigation will continue. All those responsible must be brought to justice. Noting that 51 of the accused have been sentenced to death, we urge the DRC authorities to maintain the de facto moratorium on the death penalty in place since 2003, and to consider abolishing it in law. We continue to call on the authorities to fully cooperate with the UN Follow-On Mechanism.
I thank you.