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.
Norway highlighted the important role played by human rights defenders and expressed concern about the human rights situation in Guinea and the Gambia in a statement to the Human Rights Council. Read more
Norway stressed the need for enhanced multilateral cooperation and supported the extension and strengthening of the mandate of the independent expert on Somalia in a statement to the Human Rights Council. Read more
Norway stated that the conclusions in the Goldstone report requires concrete action and that a credible system of investigation of the alleged violations should be established. Read more
Norway underlined the importance of the work done by the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in a statement made to the Human Rights Council. Read more
Norway expressed its support for the active role of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people in responding to alleged violations of the human rights of indigenous peoples, in a statement made to the Human Rights Council. Read more
Norway's ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Bente Angell-Hansen, criticized the human rights' situation in Iran, Burma, Afghanistan, Kenya, Sudan and the DR Congo in her statement at the UN Human Rights Council. Read more
Norway's statement to the Human Rights Council underlined that freedom of expression is essential for the realisation and protection of other fundamental rights. Read more
Norway stressed that efforts to improve the regional representation must be balanced with efforts to improve equitable geographic distribution, in a statement on the report of the Joint Inspection Unit. Read more
Ambassador Bente Angell-Hansen expressed support for recognizing the right to sanitation as a distinct human right in a Norwegian statement to the Human Rights Council. Read more
It is key that we address vigorously the persistent gaps between pledges and national realities, stated Ambassador Bente Angell-Hansen in the general debate with High Commissioner Navanethem Pillay. Read more
Norway is deeply concerned about the the current human rights situation in Sri Lanka and calls upon the Sri Lankan Government to ensure the UN, ICRC and other humanitarian organisations full and unhindered humanitarian access to the affected population. Read more
“I am pleased that Norway has now been elected as a member of the UN Human Rights Council. Our work now begins in earnest. During the next three years we will participate actively in the Council. We will take our share of responsibility and work systematically to promote human rights,” said Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Read more
In a Commemorative session of the Human Rights Council on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Norway pointed to more than 1 billion people living in extreme poverty as the greatest human rights challenge of our time. This is why Norway has decided to increase its official development assistance to 1% of GNI, starting next year. The realization Read more
Norway expresses concern about the situation for human rights defenders in Colombia and recommend that the Government at the highest level forcefully denounce stigmatization of human rights defenders and that crimes and violations against human rights defenders are effectively investigated and prosecuted. Read more
Norway emphasizes the importance of maintaining the independence and integrity of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Read more
Improving human rights protection and access to justice must remain a top priority, says Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Norway is committed to this task and has presented its candidature to the Human Rights Council for the period 2009-2012. Read more
Norway is very concerned by the recent escalation of violence between militants in Gaza and Israel and deplore the high number of civilian caualties. Read more
Norway condemns the gross and systematic violations of human rights in Myanmar and strongly encourages the government to start an inclusive dialogue with the democratic opposition and representatives of ethnic groups Read more
Norway expresses serious concern about the situation in Myanmar and urge the government to refrain from all use of violence against peaceful demonstrators Read more
Article in Dagbladet (Oslo), 1 September 2007 By Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre Read more