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 UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution today condemning the Syrian authorities’ grave and systematic human rights violations. “The resolution sends a clear signal to the Syrian pro-democracy movement that it has the international community’s support,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Read more
Human Rights Council Special Session on Syria, 22.08.2011 Statement by Norway Read more
The situation for human rights defenders, women's rights, the rights of LGBT persons and freedom of speech were some of the issues raised by Norway in the examinations during the Universal Periodic Review. Read more
Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre commented: “Supporting human rights defenders has high priority in Norway’s efforts to strengthen human rights and is an investment in the rule of law and democracy.” Read more
The 17th session of the Human Rights Council is held from May 30th to June 17th. Read Norway's statements during the session below. Read more
The 16th session of the Human Rights Council is held from february 28th to march 25th. Read Norway's statements during the session below. Read more
Statement by Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre at the 16th Session of the Human Rights Council 1 March 2011 Read more
The UN General Assembly has suspended Libya from the UN Human Rights Council in response to the Libyan authorities’ gross and systematic human rights violations against the country’s own population. Read more
Norway strongly condemned the Libyan authorities’ ruthless use of force against the civilian population at today’s Special Session on the human rights situation in Libya. Ambassador Bente Angell-Hansen urged Libyan authorities to prevent further deterioration of the crisis and called for an immediate end to the violence. She expressed strong support for an independent international investigatio... Read more
The situation for human rights defenders, women's rights, the rights of LGBT persons and freedom of speech were some of the issues raised by Norway in the examinations during the Universal Periodic Review. Read more
Statement, by Ambassador Bente Angell-Hansen, on the Human Rights situation in Côte d’Ivoire. Read more
The United Nations Human Rights Council held its 15th session between September 13th and October 1st, 2010. Norway participated actively during the session. Read more
The situation for human rights defenders, women's rights and freedom of speech were some of the issues raised by Norway in the examinations during the Universal Periodic Review. Read more
Ambassador Bente Angell-Hansen delivered the statement in the general debate under item 8 in the Human Rights Council's 14th session. Read more
Norway is shocked by the tragic event whereby Israeli naval forces have shot and killed civilians while boarding a flotilla carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza, said ambassador Bente...
Norway calls for an international investigation of Israel’s boarding of the convoy carrying humanitarian supplies to Gaza. Read more
In the debate of the Human Rights Council after the update of the High Commissioner, Norway expressed shock by today’s reports of attacks on civilians carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. Read more
Norway participates actively in the Human Rights Council. The statements made during the 14th session can be found here. Read more
"It is imperative that the review process is open, transparent and inclusive in all its phases", stated Ambassador Bente Angell-Hansen in the meeting on 25 May 2010. Read more