44th session of the Human Rights Council. Statement delivered by Ambassador Veronika Bard.
Madame President,
High Commissioner,
Sweden aligns itself with the EU and wishes to express its gratitude towards the High Commissioner for valuable work in the context of the ongoing pandemic.
We remain deeply concerned about the human rights situation stemming from the ongoing conflict in eastern Ukraine and in the by Russia illegally annexed Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol as highlighted in the Secretary General's interim report. We underline Russia's responsibility and call on Russia, as well as other parties, to uphold obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
We urge China to uphold the rule of law and respect international law, including human rights. As referenced by Sweden at the HRC 43 in March and stated by the EU on multiple occasions, the continued arbitrary detention of Swedish and EU citizen Gui Minhai remains a cause of grave concern. The rights of Gui Minhai including inter alia to consular access and due process, have not been respected and we continue to call for his immediate release.
We condemn the continued persecution of democratically elected parliamentarians of the opposition in Venezuela. The presence of the OHCHR in the country is fundamental for monitoring the situation.
In Nicaragua, a meaningful national dialogue, the adoption of electoral reforms to ensure credible elections and full enjoyment of civil and political rights for all are preconditions for a peaceful and democratic solution to the crisis.
I thank you.