HRC48: Denmark expresses concern about human rights situation in Afghanistan, China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, oPt/Israel, Egypt and Bahrain
UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
48th Session
Item 4: General Debate
Statement by Denmark
Denmark refers to the statement delivered on behalf of 26 member states of the European Union as well as to our Nordic-Baltic statements under the inter-active dialogues on Belarus, Ethiopia/Tigray, Myanmar, Syria, Libya, Ukraine, Yemen, Burundi and South Sudan.
We recall our concern for the human rights situation in Afghanistan as reflected in our statement under the item 2 general debate.
With respect to China, we continue to be deeply concerned about reports of human rights violations in Xinjiang and Tibet. We reiterate our call on China to allow meaningful access to Xinjiang for the High Commissioner and other independent observers.
Arrest, imprisonment and long-term detention of civil society activists and human rights defenders in the Islamic Republic of Iran is of great concern. We call for fair trials and proper conditions for prisoners. Recognizing reform initiatives in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, implementation is key, and the persecution of civil society activists is deeply worrying. We also note with concern the use of torture and death penalty in both countries.
We strongly oppose Israel’s illegal expansion of settlements in the oPt, including evictions of Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem. We urge the Palestinian Authority to respect the right to freedom of expression and to peaceful association and assembly.
While recognizing Egypt’s role in regional security and the fight against terrorism, we are continuously concerned by the human rights situation and in particular the shrinking space for civil society.
Finally, we reiterate our call for the release of arbitrarily detained persons in Bahrain, including the Danish-Bahraini citizen Mr. Al-Khawaja, imprisoned for 10 years and a victim of torture who needs treatment and rehabilitation.
Thank you.
48th Session
Item 4: General Debate
Statement by Denmark
Denmark refers to the statement delivered on behalf of 26 member states of the European Union as well as to our Nordic-Baltic statements under the inter-active dialogues on Belarus, Ethiopia/Tigray, Myanmar, Syria, Libya, Ukraine, Yemen, Burundi and South Sudan.
We recall our concern for the human rights situation in Afghanistan as reflected in our statement under the item 2 general debate.
With respect to China, we continue to be deeply concerned about reports of human rights violations in Xinjiang and Tibet. We reiterate our call on China to allow meaningful access to Xinjiang for the High Commissioner and other independent observers.
Arrest, imprisonment and long-term detention of civil society activists and human rights defenders in the Islamic Republic of Iran is of great concern. We call for fair trials and proper conditions for prisoners. Recognizing reform initiatives in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, implementation is key, and the persecution of civil society activists is deeply worrying. We also note with concern the use of torture and death penalty in both countries.
We strongly oppose Israel’s illegal expansion of settlements in the oPt, including evictions of Palestinians from their homes in East Jerusalem. We urge the Palestinian Authority to respect the right to freedom of expression and to peaceful association and assembly.
While recognizing Egypt’s role in regional security and the fight against terrorism, we are continuously concerned by the human rights situation and in particular the shrinking space for civil society.
Finally, we reiterate our call for the release of arbitrarily detained persons in Bahrain, including the Danish-Bahraini citizen Mr. Al-Khawaja, imprisoned for 10 years and a victim of torture who needs treatment and rehabilitation.
Thank you.