61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Item 4: General Debate – Statement delivered by H.E. Ambassador Riia Salsa-Audiffren, 16 March 2026
Mr. President,
High Commissioner,
Estonia aligns with the EU statement.
Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continues in full force and has turned more deadly with casualties increased by 31 per cent in 2025, as Russia continues the relentless attacks with explosive weapons in populated areas and massive attacks against the energy infrastructure.
The forcible transfer and unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children, that is coordinated at the highest level of the Russian government was qualified as a crime against humanity by the Commission of Inquiry. Estonia also condemns the systematic torture and executions of prisoners of war by the Russian forces and the human rights violations committed in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, including coercive passportization practices.
Within Russia, dissent is silenced with systemic violent crackdown on civil society and independent media. Human rights defenders, lawyers and persons belonging to minorities face unfair trials, long prison sentences, and harsh reprisals.
The systematic eradication of civil society also continues in Belarus. Hundreds of NGOs are closed. Free media is suppressed. The release of political prisoners has been in name only as their legal status remains unchanged.
In Middle East, we deplore the escalation of hostilities that has dramatic global impact. We urge Iran to refrain from destabilising activities in the region and in Europe and cease the appalling violence against its own people.
Israel has the right to self-defence, but Israel should respect the international law, including facilitating access of humanitarian aid to Gaza and restricting the settler violence in the West Bank and fully respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon.
We express our concerns over the serious human rights situations in DPRK, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Syria and Venezuela, and refer to respective Nordic-Baltic statements.
I thank you.