The United Nations was
built on common values and norms. The United
Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights and other key documents not only express those
values and norms, but also constitute international law,
the foundation upon which every attempt to build a
lasting peace must rest. Rules of international law
apply equally to all States, large and small. According
to the United Nations Charter, “Members shall settle
their international disputes by peaceful means” and
“refrain … from the threat or use of force against the
territorial integrity or political independence of any
State”. We look to the United Nations, and in particular
to the Security Council, to uphold those rules. The five
permanent members have a special responsibility in
that regard.
Russia’s invasion of Georgia — a sovereign State
and a Member of the United Nations — using massive
military force, is a clear violation of the United
Nations Charter. Russia’s subsequent recognition of
parts of Georgia as independent States stands in stark
contradiction to international law, including principles
and commitments agreed in the context of the
Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe,
including the Helsinki Final Act. Sweden unreservedly
supports the territorial integrity of Georgia. We call on
Russia to fulfil its obligations in accordance with the
six-point plan brokered by the European Union and to
withdraw all forces to their positions before 7 August.
This year marks the sixtieth anniversary of the
adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights. While celebrating the achievements, we
recognize the challenges that remain. The Declaration’s
historic article 21 on democracy, which reads in part:
“Everyone has the right to take part in the government
of his country, directly or through freely chosen
representatives”, is a perfect illustration of that point.
Since 1948, millions of people have gained the
freedom of democratic choice, while millions of others
are still denied that freedom.
Sweden places a strong emphasis on democracy
and human rights in our development cooperation. Our
efforts to make the Universal Declaration and other
human rights norms a reality everywhere must also
include the United Nations itself. Human rights should
be an essential part of all United Nations activities,
including conflict prevention, peacekeeping and
peacebuilding efforts, as well as in the work of the
funds and programmes.
To fight terrorism is to defend human rights.
Human rights are the key also to countering terrorism.
Measures against terrorism will be effective and
legitimate only when they are taken within a clear
framework of international law. It is essential that the
Security Council have fair and clear procedures in
matters of listing and delisting when targeted sanctions
have been imposed. The fight against impunity has to
continue. We must support the International Criminal
Court. Bringing to justice those responsible for the
most serious crimes is vital to building sustainable
peace. At the same time, justice should be pursued in a
manner that supports peace processes.
States have a responsibility to protect people
within their own borders from massive violations of
08-53141 48
their human rights. If a State is not capable of doing so,
it should ask the international community — the
United Nations or regional organizations — for help.
We must all be ready to assist. Not long ago, the
United Nations and the African Union were able to
help Kenya to prevent a frightening crisis from turning
into the worst possible nightmare. If a State is
unwilling to protect people within its borders, the
Security Council must assume its responsibility to
protect. We need a Security Council that is ready to
shoulder that responsibility and to work together,
because unilateral action might run the risk of
aggravating the problem and undermining international
law and legitimacy.
Violence against women and girls is a major
obstacle to the full enjoyment of human rights and
fundamental freedoms by all people. Efforts to combat
such violence must not end with a peace agreement.
We must ensure that women have full access to justice,
also in the transition from war to peace. Last June, the
landmark Security Council resolution 1325 (2000) on
women and peace and security was followed up by
Security Council resolution 1820 (2008) on sexual
violence. It reaffirms that rape and other forms of
sexual violence can be war crimes or crimes against
humanity. It obliges Governments to combat such
behaviour by all necessary means. Although the United
Nations has made considerable efforts in that area,
more needs to be done, both in the field and at
Headquarters.
The European Union and the Council of Europe
have established 10 October as the European Day
against the Death Penalty. I hope that before too long
we shall be able to agree on a United Nations day
against that inhumane form of punishment.
We face a growing danger of nuclear
proliferation. Iran, though not the only case, is the
most worrisome at present. Recent developments in the
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea also give cause
for concern. The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of
Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is the cornerstone of
non-proliferation and the foundation for the pursuit of
nuclear disarmament. Sweden is strongly committed to
upholding and further strengthening existing
multilateral disarmament and non-proliferation
obligations. The nuclear Powers have taken on special
commitments within the NPT process. In order not to
undermine the Treaty, they must demonstrate their
readiness to substantially reduce their nuclear arsenals.
More efforts are needed, in particular in Africa, to
achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
by 2015. Therefore, Sweden is increasing its support to
Africa. We encourage others to do the same, as well as
to deliver on the aid commitments already made. In the
long run, the rise in the price of energy and food could
have a positive effect on development in the
agricultural sector. In the short run, however, it could
jeopardize the fulfilment of the MDGs and threaten
progress already made. Communicable diseases, not
least HIV/AIDS, are another obstacle to the
achievement of the MDGs that we must address. The
Accra meeting on the Paris Declaration took important
steps towards better aid effectiveness and reconfirmed
the shared responsibility for development. However,
much more must be done in areas such as democratic
governance and human rights, the role of women in
development, and the impact of global climate change.
That is a challenge for developing and developed
countries alike. The world economy is facing
turbulence and uncertainty. A more open trade regime
would bring increased economic growth and
interdependence, which in turn would have a
significant stabilizing effect. Trade policy is one of the
tools to help developing countries become integrated
into the world economy and reap the benefits of trade.
Trade reforms are fundamental for sustainable
economic growth and poverty reduction. We regret the
failure to reach a breakthrough in the World Trade
Organization Doha Round. We all share a
responsibility to resolve the few remaining issues.
The United Nations system — both in the field
and at Headquarters — must be reformed in order to
ensure coherence and effectiveness. Reforms must also
enable the United Nations to work more effectively on
gender issues and for the promotion of equal rights and
opportunities.
The United Nations needs to bolster its capacity
to handle the unprecedented demand for peace
operations. Cooperation with regional organizations
and arrangements, such as the European Union, NATO
and the African Union, is essential.
Sweden strongly supports efforts to bridge crisis
management and long-term development in post-
conflict situations. By chairing the Burundi
configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, we
hope to be able to contribute to further developing the
role of the United Nations in peacebuilding.
49 08-53141
Sweden was proud to host the first annual review
meeting of the International Compact with Iraq. The
partnership between the Government of Iraq and the
United Nations is crucial. It is therefore imperative to
continue strengthening the role of the United Nations
in Iraq.
It is the poorest who are the hardest hit by climate
change. Therefore, Sweden is providing additional
resources for a special climate initiative in our
development cooperation. It aims to contribute
effectively to long-term efforts to combat climate
change and its effects in developing countries.
Climate change is a crucial challenge facing our
planet. We recognize our responsibility to take concrete
steps at home and to show the leadership necessary to
achieve broad and long-term international consensus.
One year from now, Sweden will hold the presidency
of the European Union. In that capacity, Sweden will
take on a special responsibility regarding efforts to put
an international climate agreement in place by 2009 in
Copenhagen. The key to a successful conclusion of
those negotiations, however, rests with each and every
one of us.
It is time to once again remind ourselves of our
mutual commitments and to stand up for the universal
principles underpinning international cooperation. It is
time to muster the political will to reassert our shared
values. It is time to show that we are determined to
work jointly to foster peace, democracy and
development worldwide.