This week, the Foreign Ministry’s Undersecretary for Global Affairs Minna-Liina Lind attended the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. She also moderated a side event on internet freedom organised by Estonia, and took part in Ukraine’s side event focused on Russia’s 11-year aggression.
In her speech at the session of the UN Human Rights Council on 26 February, Minna-Liina Lind stressed that when our freedoms are under attack, we must become more committed to defending them. She referred to the study by Freedom House that shows that democratic freedoms around the world have seen a negative trend for 18 consecutive years.
“When attacks increase, our commitment to respecting and defending human rights and fundamental freedoms, and the rule of law must increase accordingly. That is the aim of this Council and this is why Estonia is applying for membership,” the undersecretary said, referring to Estonia’s bid for membership in the UN Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 period.
Lind’s speech also covered the importance of supporting Ukraine and holding Russia accountable, defending the rights of children in armed conflicts around the world, media freedom and freedom of speech, and the rights of women and gender equality.
On 25 February, Estonia organised the side event “Keep the Internet On! The Impact of Internet Shutdowns” in Geneva. The panellists were Abdulla Khaleel, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Maldives; Peggy Hicks, Director for Thematic Engagement at the OHCHR’s Special Procedures and Right to Development Division; Laura O’Brien, Senior International Counsel at Access Now and Member of the Freedom Online Coalition Advisory Network, leading the “Keep it on” campaign; and Ashutosh Chadha, Microsoft’s Senior Director for UN Affairs and International organizations. The event explored the impact restricting access to internet has on human rights and the accessibility of public services, particularly during elections and conflicts.
In her speech at Ukraine’s side event “11 years of human resistance to the Russian aggression”, Undersecretary Lind said that Russia must be held accountable for the brutality and war crimes committed by its authorities.
Minna-Liina Lind also spoke at a side event organised by the Netherlands titled “Journalists under Fire: How to protect journalists and civilians’ right to access to information in times of conflict,” and presented Estonia’s priorities as the co-chair of the Media Freedom Coalition. She also had bilateral meetings with ministers of the Marshall Islands, Palestine, and Ukraine, and with the United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al-Nashif, and leaders of the UNFPA and IOM.
The UN Human Rights Council is an intergovernmental body responsible for the promotion and protection of all human rights around the globe. The Council has 47 member states elected in a secret vote at the UN General Assembly in New York.
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