Finland expressed its concern regarding the deterioration of civil and political rights in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In a statement under Item 4 at the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council, Ms. Sari Lehtiranta, the deputy permanent representative of Finland’s UN mission, called on Saudi Arabia to protect men and women human rights advocates.
Finland also renewed its call on the Saudi government to truly hold accountable all those involved in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, in what appeared to be a reference to its lack of confidence in the proceedings to date.
Finland had previously participated in two statements condemning Saudi practices at the 40th and 42nd sessions of the HRC, and it also expressed its concerns at the Council’s 39th session over the arrests targeting women in Saudi Arabia.