Human Rights Council - 61st Session
Item 3 -  Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on situation of human rights defenders
Statement delivered by Norway on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic Countries
3 March 2026

President,

 The Nordic-Baltic states thank Special Rapporteur Lawlor for her last report.

Special Rapporteur,

In line with your recommendations, we highlight the need to ensure that responses to violations of international human rights law are not dependent on geography or political alignment.

We are worried that cuts to development assistance budgets potentially will affect the work of human rights defenders. We recognize the need for flexible core support to human rights defenders’ organisations and for emergency response.

We urge all states to introduce laws and policies to protect and support human rights defenders. Similarly, we urge states to refrain from criminalising or curtailing the ability of human rights defenders to receive financial resources from abroad.

Finally, we invite all states to support the mandate renewal presented to the Council.

As this is the last time Special Rapporteur Lawlor reports to this Council, we would like to thank her for all her hard work for human rights defenders around the world, and for her perseverance.

As you finish six years in this mandate, what are your reflections on the main achievements during your time in the role?

Thank you.