Statement delivered on 18 June 2025 by H.E. Mr Magnus Hellgren, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the UN in Geneva on behalf of the Nordic Baltic Countries, NB8
The Nordic-Baltic States: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Latvia, Lithuania and my own country, Sweden, thank the Special Rapporteur for his timely report on the rights of families of victims of unlawful killings.
While every unlawful killing profoundly impacts the victim’s family, there are some situations, such as armed conflict, that merit special attention.
In several ongoing conflicts, we see how the targeting of civilians and civilian objects, indiscriminate attacks, attacks against persons who are hors de combat, the use of human shields, and the failure to apply the principles of precaution, proportionality and distinction, are becoming increasingly common. This is a profoundly dangerous development.
You report offers a welcome reminder about the unlawfulness of such practices and that the duty to investigate such killings always apply, including during armed conflict. The rights of the families of those killed must be respected. They have among others a right to obtain information about the deaths of their loved ones, to receive their remains and to seek redress.
Mr. Special Rapporteur, how can the international community help to ensure that the rights of the families of victims of unlawful killings are better upheld in the context of armed conflicts?
