International Human Rights Day offers a meaningful moment to reflect on the state of human rights around the world and to explore why protecting these rights is essential for advancing peace and justice. How do we ensure protection and strengthen solidarity in times when human rights are being undermined? How can Iceland be a strong advocate for human rights on the international stage?

For decades, Iceland has worked to promote human rights, peace, and security through international cooperation. This work has placed special emphasis on gender equality and the status of women, the rights of children and youth, the protection of LGBTQ+ individuals, and strengthening democracy, freedom of expression, and media freedom.

In this seminar experts representing these priorities addressed them from various angles and discussed the value of human rights for development, peace, and security worldwide, as well as how Iceland can exert influence far beyond its size in this important field. The seminar was thought provoking and the panelists tactfully pointed out where there is room for improvement as well as giving credit where credit is due.

In times when human rights and peace are under threat in many places, Iceland’s position is clear, lasting peace cannot exist without respect for human rights. As a small, non-military nation, Iceland has direct interest in ensuring that international law is upheld and that the fundamental rights of all are guaranteed.

Watch the full discussion in the recording below:

Speakers:

Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, Minister for Foreign Affairs, gave a speech to open the meeting before the panel commenced. The panel was moderated by Kári Hólmar Ragnarsson, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, University of Iceland and participants were Birna Þórarinsdóttir, Executive Director of UNICEF Iceland, Bylgja Árnadóttir, Head of Human Rights Affairs at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Jón Gunnar Ólafsson, Lecturer at the Faculty of Political Science, University of Iceland and Stella Samúelsdóttir, Executive Director of UN Women Iceland.