“Authoritarian regimes are expanding their influence in many parts of the world and violating human rights with impunity, threatening global peace and security,” Tsahkna said. “By advancing human rights, we advance security, and vice versa, which is why the defence of human rights and advancing democracy are among Estonia’s foreign policy priorities.”
The foreign minister said that since Estonia restored its independence, it has become a country that not only enjoys freedoms and values, but also actively upholds and develops them. Based on its commitment to improving the state of human rights worldwide, Estonia is applying for a seat in the UN Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 period.
As a member of the UN Human Rights Council Estonia would focus on the rights of children, human rights online and media freedom.
Even though Estonia’s human rights diplomacy has been consistent and on the same course for decades, it is a domain that is developing constantly, and we must keep up. “Human rights in the context of artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, healthcare or climate change constantly spur us to find new foci in our activities,” Tsahkna said.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed on 10 December 1948 and to mark the event, Human Rights Day is celebrated on 10 December.
