NB8-ræða um málefni hinsegin fólks

41th session of the Human Rights Council

NORDIC-BALTIC STATEMENT

Delivered by Sweden

Clustered ID with the IE on violence and discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI) and SR independence of judges and lawyers

24 June 2019

 [Check against Delivery]

Mr. President,

I have the honour to deliver this intervention on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries [Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania, Norway, Denmark, and my own country, Sweden].

First, we thank the Independent Expert for the recent report and the presentation here today and reiterate our strongest support to your mandate and work. It is a sad fact that violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity continue to exist all around the world. From social exclusion and harassment to torture and even arbitrary killings. The Nordic-Baltic countries strongly condemn these actions. Under no circumstances can such human rights violations be justified. The right for every individual to express and be who they fully are and love whom they want are at the very core of human rights.   

We welcome that the new report focuses on data collection and management, since accurate data are crucial to make visible and to prevent and eradicate violence and discrimination against LGBTI persons.

Mr. Madrigal-Borloz,

Moving forward, could you please elaborate further on how Member States can prevent the misuse of collected data to ensure the protection of the rights of LGBTI persons?

Further, we also thank the Special Rapporteur for his thorough annual report with pertinent recommendations on judicial councils and express our great support to your mandate and work.

Mr. García-Sayán,

In addition to judicial councils and with the aim to further safeguard judicial independence, in which particular areas would you suggest that Member States focus their attention and efforts? T

Thank you.