HRC56: Denmark expresses its concerns
Denmark expresses its concerns about the growing pushback on women and girls’ rights and calls upon the international community to strengthen efforts to advance gender equality in Dialogue with the High Commissioner
UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
56th Session
Item 2
Interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Intervention by Denmark
[Check against delivery]
Mister President,
We are deeply concerned about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and its disproportionate effect on civilians, particularly children. We recall our condemnation of Hamas for its horrendous terrorist attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023. We condemn extremist settler violence as well as the illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
In Ukraine, Russia’s illegal war of aggression remains a flagrant violation of the most fundamental principles of the UN Charter, which continues to cause devastating consequences. We condemn in the strongest terms Russia’s atrocities committed against Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructures.
The growing attempt to undermine gender equality in general and women and girls’ rights in particular is deeply worrying. We are concerned about the situations inter alia in Afghanistan, Somalia and Yemen, especially in Houthi-controlled areas. The international community must stand up and move forward to advance gender equality.
The role of civic space in protecting and promoting fundamental rights cannot be underestimated. However, around the world the civic space is shrinking with the misuse of emergency laws and the repression of civil society’s basic rights to form, assemble and engage in advocacy.
We observe with deep concern a range of setbacks, notably in Afghanistan, Belarus, Central Sahel countries, Iran and Libya. We underline the importance of civil society organisations and human rights defenders to be able to conduct their activities safely. In Saudi Arabia, we are concerned about continued restrictions on civic space and freedom of expression. We also call on the Georgian government to ensure the space for civil society and media to operate freely.
Let me finish by underlining that we fully align with the statement made by the EU.
Thank you.
56th Session
Item 2
Interactive dialogue with the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Intervention by Denmark
[Check against delivery]
Mister President,
We are deeply concerned about the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza and its disproportionate effect on civilians, particularly children. We recall our condemnation of Hamas for its horrendous terrorist attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023. We condemn extremist settler violence as well as the illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
In Ukraine, Russia’s illegal war of aggression remains a flagrant violation of the most fundamental principles of the UN Charter, which continues to cause devastating consequences. We condemn in the strongest terms Russia’s atrocities committed against Ukrainian civilians and civilian infrastructures.
The growing attempt to undermine gender equality in general and women and girls’ rights in particular is deeply worrying. We are concerned about the situations inter alia in Afghanistan, Somalia and Yemen, especially in Houthi-controlled areas. The international community must stand up and move forward to advance gender equality.
The role of civic space in protecting and promoting fundamental rights cannot be underestimated. However, around the world the civic space is shrinking with the misuse of emergency laws and the repression of civil society’s basic rights to form, assemble and engage in advocacy.
We observe with deep concern a range of setbacks, notably in Afghanistan, Belarus, Central Sahel countries, Iran and Libya. We underline the importance of civil society organisations and human rights defenders to be able to conduct their activities safely. In Saudi Arabia, we are concerned about continued restrictions on civic space and freedom of expression. We also call on the Georgian government to ensure the space for civil society and media to operate freely.
Let me finish by underlining that we fully align with the statement made by the EU.
Thank you.