Statement on behalf of the Nordic Baltic countries (NB8) delivered by H.E. Mr Magnus Hellgren, Permanent Representative of Sweden to the UN, at the 63rd session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on 17 September 2026
Mr./Mme Chair,
On behalf of the Nordic-Baltic countries, I am honoured to participate in this commemoration.
Sixty years ago, the international community transformed the aspirations of the Universal Declaration into binding legal commitments. In doing so, it affirmed a simple yet profound principle: that every human being is entitled to live in freedom and dignity.
Today, the two Covenants remain at the heart of the international human rights system. They have shaped constitutions, guided legislation, empowered human rights defenders, and provided hope and protection to countless individuals whose rights have been violated or abused.
Yet this anniversary is not only an occasion to celebrate progress.
As the work of this Council reminds daily, for far too many people around the world, the rights guaranteed by the Covenants remain out of reach.
This is why implementation matters.
Turning legal commitments into lived realities requires political will. It requires strong institutions and sustained efforts at the national level. It also requires support, scrutiny and accountability at the international levels.
The Nordic-Baltic countries reaffirm our commitment to an independent and adequately funded treaty body system. We support continued efforts to strengthen its effectiveness and sustainability, while fully respecting its independence.
Our task today is not only to honour the vision that gave rise to the Covenants, but also to carry it forward. That means strengthening implementation, supporting the treaty bodies and ensuring that the Covenants remain a source of protection, accountability and justice for generations to come.
Thank you.
