Thank you, Mr President, and thank you to the Secretary General for his work to counter instances of reprisals against those who cooperate with the UN to defend human rights.
The Secretary General’s report shines a vital spotlight on the unacceptable use of threats, travel bans, arbitrary detention and even violence to silence those courageous individuals. The UK unequivocally condemns these actions.
In Belarus, delegates of the Human Rights Centre Viasna continue to face long prison sentences for cooperating with UN mechanisms, with some members now forced into exile.
And two individuals from Hong Kong, Anna Kwok and Carmen Lau, were subject to arrest warrants and bounties following their engagement with China’s Universal Periodic Review here at the Human Rights Council.
In Vietnam, Y Quynh Bdap, co-founder of the organisation Montagnards Stand for Justice, has been sentenced in absentia after cooperation with the United Nations.
The Secretary General’s report shows that in Russia, the authorities have targeted several human rights and civil society organisations following their co-operation with the UN.
Mr President, what more can we do to ensure the safety of those individuals and organisations that face retaliation for engaging with international bodies?
Thank you.
