Resumed 43rd session of the Human Rights Council. Statement delivered by Ambassador Veronika Bard.
Madam President,
I have the honor to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and my own country, Sweden.
Madam High Commissioner, we echo your statement from January that "wounds won't heal unless they are cleaned" and that "truth is an essential part of that cleansing, and so is justice."
Three years have passed since the brutal murders of UN Experts Zaida Catalán and Michael Sharp in the Kasaï region. It is paramount that the Congolese authorities cooperate fully and effectively with the UN Follow-on Mechanism under Mr. Petit. The trial for these killings must be allocated sufficient resources by the Congolese authorities and allow all possible leads to be exhausted, so that we can establish what happened and ensure that those responsible are being brought to justice.
We note with great concern that no human rights violations or abuses committed in the Kasaï-region have gone to trial. Ensuring accountability and addressing the continued impunity must be given priority in order to break the cycles of inter-communal conflicts and violence, including sexual and gender-based violence. The rule of law must be strengthened, human rights violators must be brought to justice and reparations paid to victims, while ensuring the protection of human rights defenders. In so doing, the lives of Zaida, Michael and all other victims of human rights violations and abuses in the DRC would be honoured.
Madam High Commissioner, how can the OHCHR support the new government in promoting truth and justice for a lasting peace?
Thank you.