UNGA78 Third Committee
Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association
Statement delivered by H.E. Ms. Sanita Pavļuta-Deslandes, Permanent Representative of Latvia to the UN on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries
12 October 2023, New York
Mr Chair,
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and my own country Latvia.
We thank the Special Rapporteur for his report which highlights the importance of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association in advancing inclusive and long-lasting peace, and transitions to democratic governance.
The report comes at a time of increasing global uncertainty, as we witness continuous democratic backsliding, severe restrictions on fundamental rights and freedoms, as well as military coups and violent conflicts, including the unprovoked and unjustified brutal Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. It is important to fulfill the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, for all individuals in all of their diversity at all times, and we share your view that now, more than ever, it is of crucial importance. At times of conflict, these rights enable individuals and groups to bring grievances to the attention of decision-makers, peacemakers and the international community, which can help to resolve the root causes of conflict and prevent their resurgence.
We acknowledge and commend the important role civil society, journalists and media workers, lawyers, human rights defenders, including women human rights defenders and women peacebuilders, are playing towards conflict prevention, conflict resolution, peacebuilding and democratic transitions.
Mr Special Rapporteur,
I would like to inquire, as we gather here at the United Nations, how the role of the international community could be enhanced to support inclusive participation of individuals and groups into sustainable peace and democratic transition processes?