he
uman Rights
H
UN
3–
201
uman Rights
Co
den
e
w
5
S
201
cil
un
Co
• Sweden for t
H
UN
cil
un
he
Sweden for the
UN Human Rights Council
• Sweden for t
Sweden is a candidate for the UN Human Rights
Council for the period 2013–2015.
Promoting and respecting human rights is a core
commitment and a central priority for the Swedish
Government. Sweden has therefore decided to
present its candidature for membership of the UN
Human Rights Council. The candidature has full
support of the Nordic countries and the elections
will take place in the UN General Assembly in
2012.
As a member of the Council, Sweden would look
forward to working with all Members of the United
Nations, in the spirit of cooperation and genuine
dialogue.
”The pursuit of peace
and progress, with its
trials and its errors,
its successes and its
setbacks, can never be
relaxed and never
abandoned.”
Dag Hammarskjöld
Global focus, global commitment – Sweden and the UN
Engaging actively in the work of the United Nations
is a cornerstone of Sweden’s foreign policy.
• Sweden has a long tradition of engagement in core areas of the UN such as
conflict prevention, disarmament, peace support operations, development
cooperation, sustainable development, rule of law promotion, international law
and human rights.
•Support for human rights and democracy is a key priority of Swedish international
development cooperation.
•Sweden is committed to the fulfilment of the UN Millennium Development Goals.
•Sweden contributes 1 per cent of its GNI to international aid, exceeding the UN
aid target of 0.7 per cent of GNI.
•Sweden is the third largest bilateral donor of humanitarian aid in the world.
•Sweden is one of the four largest contributors of funds to OHCHR, UNICEF,
UNHCR, OCHA, UNDP, UNFPA, UNAIDS and UNRWA.
•Sweden is a strong supporter of global disarmament and non-proliferation efforts
and is currently giving special focus to promoting the Comprehensive NuclearTest-Ban Treaty.
•Sweden is one of the leading nations in the quest for global sustainable solutions
for a better environment. Between 2010 and 2012, approximately EUR 800 million
in fast-start funding is being channelled via bilateral, regional and multilateral
organisations to address climate change concerns in developing countries.
•Sweden is the fourth largest resettlement country for people in need of international
protection and is at the forefront of policy development in the area of migration
and development.
•Over 80,000 Swedish nationals have served in UN peace missions over the years.
Sweden in the UN Human Rights Council
Sweden has been deeply engaged in the work of the UN Human Rights
Council since its creation and has actively contributed to a wide range of
cross-regional resolutions and initiatives.
During the negotiations of Resolution 60/251 establishing the Council, Sweden
worked actively for an equitable geographical distribution of seats in the Council.
Sweden supports a Council that recognises the linkage and mutual reinforcement between peace and security, human rights and development cooperation.
As a member of the Council, Sweden would support the Council’s work to
promote and mainstream human rights throughout the United Nations system.
As a member of the UN Human Rights Council, Sweden would be committed
to promoting the realisation of all human rights: civil, political, economic, social
and cultural rights.
If elected member, Sweden would also work to ensure the continued strengthening
of the Council as the UN’s primary human rights body.
Swedish human rights priorities
Sweden is a firm advocate of the universality of human rights and promotes
global adherence to international human rights covenants. All human rights are
universal, indivisible, interrelated, interdependent and mutually reinforcing. They
must be treated in a fair and equal manner, on the same footing and with the
same emphasis.
Everyone is entitled to all human rights and freedoms without distinction of any
kind, such as race, colour, sex, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or
other opinion, national or social origin, property, disability, birth or other status.
Women and men should be ensured equal rights. Sweden believes that gender
inequality is a detriment to society as a whole.
Children should be given special care and attention. Sweden believes that every
child should be brought up in the spirit of peace, dignity, tolerance, freedom,
equality and solidarity. Sweden also recognises the importance of international
cooperation for improving the living conditions of children in every country.
• Sweden’s engagement for human rights at the international level is based on
a firm commitment to human rights protection at the national level, notably
through the constitutional and legal system.
•Sweden has extended a standing invitation to all UN special rapporteurs and
independent experts to visit Sweden and examine its systems for human rights
protection.
•Sweden cooperates fully with the UN treaty bodies and submits timely and
comprehensive reports.
•Sweden is in the process of implementing the recommendations put forward
at its Universal Periodic Review in the Human Rights Council in May 2010.
•Sweden supports the important role that non-governmental organisations play
in the promotion of human rights. For this reason, it strives to maintain a
constant dialogue with non-governmental organisations.
Contact information
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Department for International Law,
Human Rights and Treaty Law
SE - 103 39 Stockholm, Sweden
Telephone (switchboard):
+46 8 405 10 00
Fax: +46 8 723 11 76
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sweden.gov.se/mfa
Photo: Mark Harris/imagebank.sweden.se, Phoenix, UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré, Scanpix/Leif R Jansson, Maskot.
Printed by: Edita, 2012 Article no: UD12.001
Engagement at the national level