Minna-Liina Lind, the first ambassador at large for human rights and migration, took office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu, her appointment shows Estonia’s determination to participate actively in various international human rights associations. Last year, Estonia was among the founders of the Media Freedom Coalition initiated by the United Kingdom and the International Religious Freedom Alliance established by the United States.
He added that the appointment of the new envoy highlighted migration topics to present Estonia’s positions on the regulation of migration issues, and improved international cooperation towards preventing irregular migration and organising migration issues in a way that would ensure the discretion of states.
According to Minna-Liina Lind, the creation of the position is a clear sign of the need to respond to global developments. Lind noted that the state-sponsored violence in Belarus was an example of how a lack of democracy over a long period of time has affected the fundamental rights of the people and their possibilities to express their discontent.
Many countries, such as Finland, Sweden, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, have special envoys for human rights, and last week, Denmark appointed a special representative for migration.
“I have been involved with UN topics for years. Among other things, Ambassador Tiina Intelmann and I led the foundation of the UN gender equality entity UN Women in 2010 in New York, and its success stories include achievements in fighting violence against women,” Lind pointed out. She added that advancing human rights in both international organisations as well as through bilateral and development cooperation was an important instrument for ensuring security and stability.
Minna-Liina Lind joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2004. She has worked on UN topics both in the Policy Department of the ministry as well as at Estonia’s mission to the UN. As the deputy permanent representative, she was in charge of Estonia’s campaign for UN Security Council membership between 2014 and 2018. From 2010 to 2014, she worked as Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Additional information:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia
Communication Department
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