Finland promotes the rights for women and girls as well as accountability at the UN Human Rights Council

The UN Human Rights Council convenes for its 53rd Regular Session from 19 June to 14 July in Geneva, Switzerland.

The Human Rights Council is the UN’s most important intergovernmental body protecting and promoting human rights. Finland is a member of the Human Rights Council during the 2022–2024 term. The promotion and protection of universal human rights has always been Finland’s priority at the Council. 

At this summer’s session, Finland and Sweden will be putting forward a joint proposal for renewing the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions. The two countries have a long history of working together on this vital human rights issue at the UN General Assembly. At the heart of the matter is everyone’s right to life, the authorities’ duty to conduct impartial investigations and the importance of fair court systems, effective remedies and the rule of law. The role of the Special Rapporteur supports these crucial legal principles.

The summer session traditionally focuses on the rights of women and girls as well as gender equality, which are important issues to Finland. Finland will be making a strong contribution to debates on the prevention of violence against women and girls as well as the prevention of forced marriages. We will also be speaking up for, among other things, the right to education. 

Other items on the Council’s agenda include Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Belarus, Afghanistan, Iran, Syria and Sudan. The Council will hold an exchange of views on the human rights situation of women and girls in Afghanistan based on an expert report. The Council will hear its first update from the International Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, which was established at a Special Session of the Council last year.

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) will give an overview of the situation in Ukraine. The OHCHR has played an important, impartial role in, for example, recording civilian casualties since the beginning of Russia’s illegal war of aggression. Finland strongly supports the Council’s continuing to receive updates on the situation in Ukraine from the OHCHR.

Read more:

• Finland in the Human Rights Council
• Permanent Mission of Finland in Geneva
• Human Rights Council website