Danish contributions and publications
Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen calls for rebuilding and stabilization efforts in Ukraine
The Permanent Council of the OSCE convened extraordinarily on 24 February 2023 to commemorate one full year of the Russian war against Ukraine. Below you can read the messages delivered by Lars Løkke Rasmussen, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Denmark
Thank you Mr. Chair
While Denmark fully aligns with the statement delivered by Mr. Borrell, the High Representative of the European Union, I would like to add the following in my national capacity.
The 24th of February last year was one of the darkest days in our recent history. The brutality of Russia’s troops has horrified us again and again.
But let me be clear once more: We will continue our support to Ukraine. We are committed. And we will remain so.
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Mr. Chair
We state our deep condemnation of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine every week in the Hofburg. Today, I want to talk about the future of Ukraine.
I recently visited Mykolaiv with its buildings reduced to rubble. Lack of running water. Lack of heating. Yet, thousands of people have returned since Ukraine regained control over the area. This is the spirit of resilience, we must support.
We need to help Ukraine rebuild, and we need to start now. We must invest in the Ukrainian economy, we must rebuild infrastructure and improve livelihoods.
It is not too early for such efforts. On the contrary, it is essential for the resilience of Ukraine and the Ukrainian people to be able to continue their fight for freedom. They are not only fighting for themselves, but for all of Europe’s freedom.
We can do this while also continuing to provide military support and meet urgent humanitarian needs. And we will continue to do so for as long as it takes.
Because we stand with Ukraine.
Thank you Mr. Chair.
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Statement by Denmark. Regular meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Cooperation, General Statements. 22 February 2023.
As delivered by Permanent Representative Christian Grønbech-Jensen
Mr. Chair
Denmark fully aligns itself with the statement delivered on behalf of the European Union. Allow me to add the following in my national capacity.
Russia’s aggression against Ukraine has brought war back to Europe on a scale and with a brutality, we had not imagined ever to see again.
With its war of choice, Russia has violated the principles, political agreements and concrete transparency measures that we have worked for in the OSCE in the past many years in these very rooms.
Since 24th February last year Russia has demonstrated its continuous disregard for the commitments we all made to ensure that wars of aggression and the changing of borders through death and destruction were things of the past. Russia has shown its disregard for the European security architecture and for the Forum for Security Co-operation as one of its guardians.
Mr. Chair
A few weeks ago, the Danish Prime Minister witnessed the destruction in Mykolaiv as a guest of president Zelenskyy. On the occasion of the visit, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said, and I quote: “There is an immediate need for the rest of the free world to support Ukraine’s fight for freedom. Ukraine can always count on Denmark as a close friend and partner. We will together with our allies and partners continue the comprehensive support to Ukraine, as long as it is needed”. End of quote.
Mr. Chair,
After one year, we know this by heart: We condemn Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in the strongest possible terms. Russia must immediately, completely and unconditionally withdraw from the entire territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. Furthermore, the Belarusian authorities must stop their support for Russia's illegal war of aggression.
I sincerely hope that the repetition of these messages will soon no longer be needed, because they will finally have been heard and heeded by Russia and Belarus.
I thank you, Mr. Chair
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Denmark and Switzerland Present Recommendations from International Conference on "Fighting Impunity for Acts of Torture"
On 13 June 2022 Denmark and Switzerland hosted the international conference on “Fighting Impunity for Acts of Torture: Ensuring accountability for Perpetrators and Justice for Victims”, with the support of the OSCE 2022 Polish Chairpersonship and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR).
The Conference served as a platform for representatives of civil society, OSCE countries and institutions to engage in a dialogue on how to overcome current challenges to achieving accountability for acts of torture and other ill-treatment, not least in the context of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine.
The co-organisers have issued a publication with recommendations from the Conference participants in order to structure and disseminate the recommendations made by the speakers and participants at the conference, as well as references made to recent publications on the topic.
The recommendations are thematically grouped, and the publication does not endorse any recommendation over the other. Our hope is that the document can serve as inspiration for further dialogue and possible action for all relevant stakeholders.
You can read the publication here.
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Bi-national statement by Germany and Denmark delivered at the Human Dimension Committee meeting on 2 November 2021
See more here.
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Effective Multilateralism in the Fight Against Torture: Trends in the OSCE region and the way forward
Recommendations from conference participants, September 2019
On 5 June 2019, Denmark, Switzerland and Austria organised the international conference, “Effective Multilateralism in the Fight Against Torture: Trends in the OSCE region and the way forward”, in cooperation with the Slovak OSCE Chairmanship and the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR). This publication is the organisers’ attempt at collecting and structuring the recommendations made by the speakers and participants at the conference. The overview document is drafted without prejudice and does not endorse any recommendations over others. Our hope is, however, that the document can serve as inspiration for further dialogue and possible action for relevant stakeholders.
See the folder here.