78th Session of the UN General Assembly, Third Committee
General Discussion item on Promotion and protection of human rights
Statement by the Republic of Estonia, delivered by H.E. Mr. Rein Tammsaar, Permanent Representative of Estonia
18 October 2023
Mr Chair,
Estonia aligns itself with the statement made by the European Union and would like to add the following.
Estonia is deeply worried about the deteriorating human rights situation in many parts of the world, including Afghanistan, Sudan, Syria, Iran and Myanmar. We follow the developments in Middle East with great concern. Estonia strongly condemns the brutal attacks by the terrorist organization Hamas against Israel, which has resulted in destruction and loss of civilian lives. We call for the immediate release of all hostages. The solving of this crisis must be fully in line with the International Humanitarian Law. The protection of civilians should be imperative. I repeat, the protection of civilians should be imperative.
Mr Chair,
Russia’s horrendous full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine started nearly two years ago. Since then, the people of Ukraine have been the subject to severe violation of international law and severe breach of the UN Charter.
In September 2022, the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine confirmed evidence of war crimes committed by Russian armed forces. This involves systematic and widespread use of attacks harming civilians, torture, sexual and gender-based violence, and grave violations against children. In March the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova for the war crime of unlawful deportation of children from occupied areas of Ukraine to Russia.
Over 19,000 children unlawfully deported or otherwise separated from their parents or guardians have been identified by the Ukrainian government. The real number is certainly higher. Russia was also listed as a party carrying out grave violations against children in the Secretary-General’s report on Children and Armed Conflict. Schools and hospitals are destroyed, leaving the children of Ukraine deprived of education and health services. Many have lost their parents, their psychological well-being is scarred for life, and their childhood has been stolen from them.
Estonia supports Ukraine in holding Russia’s political and military leadership accountable and establishing a special tribunal for the crime of aggression with the broadest cross-regional support and legitimacy. Russian armed forces and affiliated mercenaries must withdraw from the internationally recognized territory of Ukraine and abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law and international human rights law.
Mr Chair,
I would further like to draw your attention on the fact that 85 percent of the global population live in countries where freedom of expression has decreased. Journalists and media workers risk their life, while doing their job. At the same time, high levels of impunity remain an urgent challenge, and Internet shutdowns are becoming more frequent. In the context of the advancement of digital technologies, we must acknowledge emerging threats on human rights and ensure that adequate safeguards are developed and set up to protect human rights. Media freedom and Internet freedom are increasingly intertwined and international human rights law must also be respected in the digital sphere.
Estonia stands firm in protecting human rights online and offline as one of the founding members of both the Media Freedom Coalition and the Freedom Online Coalition.
Since July this year, Estonia is co-chairing the Media Freedom Coalition and we aim to take up this important role also in the Freedom Online Coalition in the near future.
Mr Chair,
I would like to affirm that Estonia stands for the equal treatment of LGBTIQ+ persons and the protection and promotion of their rights. We condemn discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity. In this regard, Estonia took a step further by legalising same sex marriages in June this year. Estonia is also the founding member of the Equal Rights Coalition, currently involving 42 member states, who are dedicated protectors of the LGBTIQ+ persons’ rights.
As a liberal democracy, we want to advance human rights of all people. We stand for ensuring the inclusive development of these rights, since we firmly believe that taking care of the rights of all citizens will make our societies more cohesive and prosperous.
Thank you