40th session of the UN Human Rights Council

Madame Vice President,

The role of human rights defenders is critical for the promotion and protection of human rights, but also for upholding democracy and respect for the rule of law. Sweden is fully committed to continue promoting, protecting and supporting a broad range of human rights defenders, in line with our feminist foreign policy.

We thank Special Rapporteur Forst for his report which makes it clear that the international community must improve its ability to recognise and address the specific challenges and risks that women defenders face. Women human rights defenders are vital in the work to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights for all, rights that are being seriously challenged today.

Human rights defenders are facing greater resistance linked to the rise of populism, fundamentalism and violent extremism, but also from State actors. As they challenge autocratic leaders, corruption and exploitation of land and environment, they face intimidation, harassment and violence.

Madame Vice President,

Sweden welcomes the focus of this year’s resolution on environmental human rights defenders. 2017 marked the deadliest year ever on record for environmental defenders, according to Global Witness. Women defenders often face additional obstacles and risks. It is therefore paramount that we ensure a gender perspective when addressing this issue.

The 2018 Nobel Peace Prize laureates and human rights defenders, Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad, showcase the effect that a single person can have. 16-year-old Greta Thunberg from Sweden rose cities all over Europe in protests over the lack of progress to tackle climate change. Most human rights defenders are not that visible, and have often not actively chosen this role.

We would like to ask Special Rapporteur Forst:

-         Could you elaborate on the situation of women human rights defenders in the context of environmental and land rights?

Thank you