Mr President and Mme High Commissioner,
Sweden fully aligns itself with the statement made by France on behalf of the European Union.
The situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has long been a matter of serious concern for a long time. The particularly distressing situation in the eastern regions of the country has manifested itself over the past several weeks. A number of grave, large-scale and systematic violations of human rights and international humanitarian law have been reported, including extrajudicial executions, torture and other maltreatment, arbitrary deprivation of liberty and forced labour – and not least sexual violence against women on a scale which is deeply disturbing, in fact difficult to grasp.
The primary responsibility for ensuring the respect for human rights of course rests with the Government of the DRC. While welcoming the commitments made by the Government, for instance in the form of ratifications of a number of universal human rights instruments, Sweden wishes to underline the urgent need also for action, not least in view of credible reports of violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by government agents, including by its armed forces. We urge the GoDRC to spare no effort in combating impunity – since all perpetrators should be brought to justice. Experience shows that apart from obviously discouraging criminal behaviour, combating impunity in the long term proves necessary to post-conflict reconciliation.
The promotion of human rights is also a universal responsibility we all share. Violations in one country are the concern of all of us. The government of Sweden therefore welcomes the broad support for this special session. Sweden would want the Council to clearly identify the human rights violations being perpetrated, as well as clearly identify the responsibility and actions needed to end them.
As the main United Nations Human rights body, it is within the mandate of this Council to bring human rights matters to the attention of other bodies within the UN and the international community at large. This Council’s attention today can provide impetus to further reinforce the commendable work being done by the Office of the High Commissioner, and the UN at large, within the human rights component of MONUC.
Thank you.