UN General Assembly
2011

rights activists and agents of democratic change. The Internet is the new front line in the fight for freedom across the world. In many countries, my own included, we take freedom for granted. In other countries, it is still a dream. This year, we have witnessed courageous people in North Africa and the Middle East taking to the streets to fight for their dream; to fight for freedom, openness and democracy. For this, they must have our support. When there are threats of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing or crimes against humanity — when autocratic rulers, as in Syria, turn their guns on their own citizens — then the international community has a responsibility to protect civilians. Sweden hopes to play its part in this decisive phase in the region. We are contributing to the implementation of Security Council resolutions 1970 (2011) and 1973 (2011) in Libya. We are providing substantial humanitarian support to several countries in North Africa and the Middle East. And when the new Governments turn to the crucial task of establishing