Statement by the Nordic-Baltic countries Delivered by: H.E. Ms Anna Jardfelt, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the UN in Geneva
Mr President,
I have the honour of delivering this statement on behalf of the Nordic-Baltic Countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Latvia, Lithuania and my own country Sweden.
The Nordic-Baltic countries affirm our strong support to the Special rapporteur’s mandate. Your work, Mr. Rapporteur, is more needed than ever.
We strongly condemn any acts of extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions which are abhorrent and represent violations of human rights and the inherent right to life. States and non-State actors must respect the right to life of all persons. Human rights must be respected in all cases, including with regard to Russia’s crimes committed as part of its aggression against Ukraine.
We reiterate the imperative for accountability for such killings and the need for all investigations be thorough, credible, transparent, and prompt, and that prosecutions must uphold internationally recognized fair trial and due process norms and standards.
Impunity for extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions undermines democracy, accountability and the rule of law and must be prevented.
Mr. Rapporteur, we thank you for the report presented here today. Could you elaborate on how member states can strengthen the investigation mechanisms to ensure that all medico-legal deaths are thoroughly investigated?
I thank you.