On 23 September 2024 in New York, during the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Braže, took part in the G7+ Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, the meeting of the Baltic and Nordic (NB8) Foreign Ministers with the Ukrainian Foreign Minister, and a global high-level forum on AI governance hosted by the United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.
At the G7+ Foreign Ministers Meeting on Ukraine Energy Sector Support, Braže underlined the need not only to ensure urgent support for the restoration and strengthening the energy infrastructure but also to undermine Russia’s military capabilities.
She highlighted the importance of eroding Russia’s ability to continue its systematic attacks on Ukraine, and on the peaceful population and civilian infrastructure.
At the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers, Braže reafirmed Latvia's readiness to continue supporting Ukraine and drew particular attention to the need to sanction Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" of sanctions-busting ships using flags of convenience to supply Putin's war machine.
The next day, on 24 September Braže addressed the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva via video link on behalf of the Nordic and Baltic states, highlighting Russia’s brutal human rights violations against its own people as well as Ukrainians.
In her statement, the Minister referred to the latest report by the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Russia, Mariana Katzarova.
“Russia has systemically stifled dissent, silenced independent media, spread disinformation and repressed civil society organisations,” Braže said.
The Foreign Minister thanked the Special Rapporteur for her work and voiced strong support for the continuation of her mandate.
The Minister also drew attention to domestic repressions in Russia going hand in hand with its external aggression against Ukraine threatening international peace and security.
Baiba Braže noted that Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and blatant disregard for international law and human rights have fostered a climate of terror and fear across the country.
“Political prisoners, including human rights defenders, lawyers and journalists are held hostage for leverage,” Braže emphasised.
The Foreign Minister recalled that all international instruments must be mobilised to hold Russia accountable for its grave human rights violations.
The statement delivered on behalf of Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden was transmitted in a video format during an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Russia as part of the 57th Session of the UN Human Rights Council.
The 57th Session of the UN Human Rights Council is held in Geneva, Switzerland, from 9 September to 11 October 2024.
