Statement by Sweden on the Draft resolution A/C.3/79/L.XX on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.
Chair,
Sweden is honored to introduce this draft resolution on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions. It is a biannual text tabled on behalf of the five Nordic countries.
Two key elements are at the core of this resolution: the right to life and the fight against impunity.
The central premise is simple: Everyone has the right to life. And no one should have to live in fear of being illegally executed on any grounds.
To this end, the resolution reaffirms the duty of States under international law to:
By supporting this resolution, we keep our promise of leaving no one behind, and of securing everyone’s right to life.
Chair, colleagues,
We would like to thank delegations for their active and constructive participation throughout the process of preparing the resolution. It is a difficult text to negotiate and we recognize that there are aspects of the text that are challenging to some member states. Despite this, as the facilitator of the text, we have been met with a cordial and constructive approach from all. This is really appreciated.
As a result, we now have a resolution that includes a proposal to begin elaborating a new international standard for the investigation of gender-based killings of women and girls. This will help investigators and forensic experts in better identifying cases of extrajudicial killings of women and girls, and for the justice system to respond.
This year’s resolution also includes more detailed language on the duty of States relating to preventing and investigating deaths in custody.
Colleagues,
By adopting this resolution, this committee will highlight the crucial need to combat extrajudicial executions in all their forms, whereever and whenever they take place.
We hope that this committee will express strong support to this important and timely issue.
Thank you, Chair.