Human Rights
Promoting human rights and principles of democracy lies in the heart of the Norwegian foreign policy. The implementation of this policy is carried out on a multilateral level, through the UN and the European Council, and at a national level. The Human Rights Council in Geneva is an important venue for the international human rights work. Although Norway's membership in the Human Rights Council ended in 2012, the Council will continue to be one of the most important forums for the promotion of Norwegian human rights politics. As an observer state, Norway will continue to play an active role as promoter, initiator, critic and liaison. The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is a leading institution in promoting and protecting human rights in the UN system, as human rights are increasingly relevant to peace and security, development and humanitarian efforts. OHCHR is an important partner for Norway, both in raising important human rights issues internationally and in affecting positive change at national level. Norway has been one of the largest contributors to the OHCHR for a number of years. In May 2011, Foreign Minister Støre and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay signed an agreement in on a financial contribution totaling NOK 180 million in support of the OHCHR’s activities in the period 2011–2013, mostly unearmarked. Norway’s total financial support in 2012 amounted to more than 11 million USD.
The 16th session of the Universal Periodic Review in the Human Rights Council takes place from April 22nd to May 3rd, 2013.
The Human Rights Council has unanimously adopted the resolution Protecting Human Rights Defenders, tabled by Norway. “The adoption of this resolution sends an important signal of support to all the courageous people who are fighting against human rights violations all over the world,” said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide. Read more
Norway is mobilising against hate speech in Europe. Through the EEA and Norway Grants we have entered into a strategic partnership with the Council of Europe’s youth project on combating hate speech online launched this week. Read more
The Human Rights Council held its twentysecond regular session from February 25th to March 22nd 2013, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. Read Norway's statements under relevant items.
Read the Norwegian statements submitted prior to the review here !
Around one thousand participants took part in the largest global discussion to date on how governments and businesses are moving to address the impacts of business activities on human rights, which...
How to tackle and combat hate speech online is the topic of a two-day conference in Budapest from Tuesday 27 November 2012. Read more
The 14th session of the Universal Periodic Review in the Human Rights Council takes place between the 22nd of October and the 5th of November 2012. 14 states had their human rights records examined.
The Human Rights Council held its twentyfirst regular session from 10- 28 September 2012 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. Read Norway's statements under relevant items.
Fifth session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The dates for the Expert Mechanism's fifth session are 9 - 13 July 2012 in Geneva at the United Nations Palais des Nations.
Norway presented today its mid-term report to the UN Human Rights Council on the follow-up of the recommendations received during the UN system of universal periodic reviews (UPR) of the human rights situation in all member countries. Read more
The Human Rights Council held its twentieth regular session from 18 June to 6 July 2012 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
The thirteenth session of the Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group was held in Geneva from 21 May to 4 June during which the next group of 14 States had their human...
Every 17 May, we celebrate Norway’s constitution. This is a day for commemorating the ideals of freedom and equality. It is also the date of the International Day Against Homophobia and transphobia, which will be marked all over the world. Read more
Foreign Minister Støre and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay signed an agreement in May 2011 on a financial contribution totaling NOK 180 million in support of the OHCHR’s activities in the period 2011–2013. Read more
The 19th session of the Human Rights Council was held from the 27th of February to the 23th of March. Read Norway's statements during the session below.
The Human Rights Council adopted on 2 December 2011 a resolution on the human rights situation in the Syrian Arab Republic in which it established a mandate of a Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Syrian Arab Republic. The resolution came at the end of a Special Session, the third to be held on Syria this year. In the resolution, adopted by 37 votes in favour, 4 votes... Read more
Nabagesera is the founder and Executive Director of the Ugandan lesbian, bisexual and transgender women’s rights organization Freedom and Roam Uganda. She was and continues to be one of the most exposed persons from the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community in Uganda, as she has been giving interviews on national TV and radio stations as an open lesbian, promoting LGBT rights ... Read more
The 12th session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), the last session of the first cycle, was held between the 3rd and the 14th of October 2011. Norway was actively participating in the session...
The 18th session of the Human Rights Council is held from the 12th to the 30th of September. Read Norway's statements during the session below.