| NORWAY Kingdom of Norway Kongeriket Norge Joined United Nations: 27 November 1945 Human Rights as assured by their constitution Click here Updated 05/10/10 |
| CAPITAL |
| POPULATION |
| CHIEF OF STATE |
| SELECTION PROCESS |
Oslo
4,660,539 (July 2009 est.)
Harald V
King since 17 January 1991
King since 17 January 1991
Ascended to the throne upon the death of his father King Olav
V after 33 year rule
Next scheduled election: None, the monarch is
hereditary; heir apparent is Crown Prince Haakon
Magnus
V after 33 year rule
Next scheduled election: None, the monarch is
hereditary; heir apparent is Crown Prince Haakon
Magnus
HEAD OF GOVERNMENT
SELECTION PROCESS
Jens Stoltenberg
Prime Minister since 17 October 2005
Prime Minister since 17 October 2005
Following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or
the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime
minister by the monarch with the consent of the parliament
the leader of the majority coalition is usually appointed prime
minister by the monarch with the consent of the parliament
| DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS |
| ETHNIC GROUPS |
Norwegian, Sami (20,000)
| RELIGIONS |
Church of Norway 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, other Christian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1%
(2004)
(2004)
| GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE |
Constitutional monarchy comprised of 19 counties (fylker, singular - fylke); Legal system is a mixture of customary
law, civil law system, and common law traditions; Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislature when
asked; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Executive: The monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch following legislative elections
Legislative: modified unicameral Parliament or Storting (169 seats; members are elected by popular vote by
proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 14 September 2009 (next to be held in September 2013)
Judicial: Supreme Court or Hoyesterett (justices appointed by the monarch)
law, civil law system, and common law traditions; Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislature when
asked; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Executive: The monarch is hereditary; prime minister appointed by the monarch following legislative elections
Legislative: modified unicameral Parliament or Storting (169 seats; members are elected by popular vote by
proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held 14 September 2009 (next to be held in September 2013)
Judicial: Supreme Court or Hoyesterett (justices appointed by the monarch)
| LANGUAGES |
Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minorities; note -
Sami is official in six municipalities
Sami is official in six municipalities
| BRIEF HISTORY |
| ECONOMIC OVERVIEW |
The Norwegian economy is a prosperous bastion of welfare capitalism, featuring a combination of free market
activity and government intervention. The government controls key areas, such as the vital petroleum sector, through
large-scale state-majority-owned enterprises. The country is richly endowed with natural resources - petroleum,
hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals - and is highly dependent on the petroleum sector, which accounts for nearly
half of exports and over 30% of state revenue. Norway is the world's third-largest gas exporter; its position as an oil
exporter has slipped to seventh-largest as production has begun to decline. Norway opted to stay out of the EU
during a referendum in November 1994; nonetheless, as a member of the European Economic Area, it contributes
sizably to the EU budget. In anticipation of eventual declines in oil and gas production, Norway saves almost all state
revenue from the petroleum sector in a sovereign wealth fund. After lackluster growth of less than 1.5% in 2002-03,
GDP growth picked up to 2.5-6.2% in 2004-07, partly due to higher oil prices. Growth fell to 2.5% in 2008, and
the economy contracted by 1.1% in 2009 as a result of the slowing world economy and the drop in oil prices.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Norway)
activity and government intervention. The government controls key areas, such as the vital petroleum sector, through
large-scale state-majority-owned enterprises. The country is richly endowed with natural resources - petroleum,
hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals - and is highly dependent on the petroleum sector, which accounts for nearly
half of exports and over 30% of state revenue. Norway is the world's third-largest gas exporter; its position as an oil
exporter has slipped to seventh-largest as production has begun to decline. Norway opted to stay out of the EU
during a referendum in November 1994; nonetheless, as a member of the European Economic Area, it contributes
sizably to the EU budget. In anticipation of eventual declines in oil and gas production, Norway saves almost all state
revenue from the petroleum sector in a sovereign wealth fund. After lackluster growth of less than 1.5% in 2002-03,
GDP growth picked up to 2.5-6.2% in 2004-07, partly due to higher oil prices. Growth fell to 2.5% in 2008, and
the economy contracted by 1.1% in 2009 as a result of the slowing world economy and the drop in oil prices.
Source: CIA World Factbook (select Norway)
| POLITICAL CLIMATE |
Norway is a constitutional monarchy, where the King has mainly symbolic power. The Royal House is a branch of
the princely family of Glücksburg, originally from Schleswig-Holstein in Germany. The functions of the King, Harald
V, are mainly ceremonial, but he has influence as the symbol of national unity. Although the constitution of 1814
grants important executive powers to the King, these are always exercised by the Council of State in the name of the
King (King's Council, or cabinet). The King is also High Protector of the Church of Norway (the state church),
Grand Master of The Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav, and symbolically Supreme Commander of the
Norwegian armed forces.
A coalition between the Labour Party, Socialist Left Party, and Centre Party, took over government from 17
October, 2005 after the 2005 general election, where this so-called red-green alternative received a majority of 87
out of 169 seats in the Storting.
This is a historical coalition in several aspects; it is the first time the Socialist Left has sat in government, the first time
the Labour Party sits in a coalition government since the 1945 four-month post-war trans-party government
(otherwise in government alone), and the first time the Centre Party sits in government along with socialist parties
(otherwise in coalition with conservative and/or other centre parties).
Source: Politics of Norway
the princely family of Glücksburg, originally from Schleswig-Holstein in Germany. The functions of the King, Harald
V, are mainly ceremonial, but he has influence as the symbol of national unity. Although the constitution of 1814
grants important executive powers to the King, these are always exercised by the Council of State in the name of the
King (King's Council, or cabinet). The King is also High Protector of the Church of Norway (the state church),
Grand Master of The Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav, and symbolically Supreme Commander of the
Norwegian armed forces.
A coalition between the Labour Party, Socialist Left Party, and Centre Party, took over government from 17
October, 2005 after the 2005 general election, where this so-called red-green alternative received a majority of 87
out of 169 seats in the Storting.
This is a historical coalition in several aspects; it is the first time the Socialist Left has sat in government, the first time
the Labour Party sits in a coalition government since the 1945 four-month post-war trans-party government
(otherwise in government alone), and the first time the Centre Party sits in government along with socialist parties
(otherwise in coalition with conservative and/or other centre parties).
Source: Politics of Norway
| INTERNATIONAL DISPUTES |
Norway asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Land and its continental shelf); despite dialogue,
Russia and Norway continue to dispute their maritime limits in the Barents Sea and Russia's fishing rights beyond
Svalbard's territorial limits within the Svalbard Treaty zone
Russia and Norway continue to dispute their maritime limits in the Barents Sea and Russia's fishing rights beyond
Svalbard's territorial limits within the Svalbard Treaty zone
| REFUGEES AND INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS (IDP) |
None reported.
| ILLICIT DRUGS |
None reported.
| HUMAN RIGHTS STATEMENTS, ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUES |
2009 Human Rights Report: Norway
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Norway is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. The population is approximately 4.82 million. The country is
governed by a prime minister, a cabinet, and the 169-seat parliament (Storting) that is elected every four years and cannot be
dissolved. Free and fair elections to the multiparty parliament were held in September. Civilian authorities generally maintained
effective control of the security forces.
During the year,
Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor
2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
March 11, 2010
Norway is a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. The population is approximately 4.82 million. The country is
governed by a prime minister, a cabinet, and the 169-seat parliament (Storting) that is elected every four years and cannot be
dissolved. Free and fair elections to the multiparty parliament were held in September. Civilian authorities generally maintained
effective control of the security forces.
During the year,
- racial profiling,
- violence against women,
- trafficking of men, women, and children were continuing problems.
29 January 2010
Committee on the Rights of the Child
Fifty-third session
11-29 January 2010
Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 44 of the Convention
Concluding observations: Norway
A. Introduction
2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the fourth periodic report, which also includes information on the implementation of
the Convention’s two protocols, as well as the written replies to its list of issues (CRC/C/NOR/Q/4/Add.1), and commends the
informative report and the frank and constructive dialogue with a multisectoral delegation at a senior level, which allowed a better
understanding of the situation of children in the State party.
B. Follow-up measures and progress achieved by the State party
3. The Committee notes with appreciation the adoption of:
(a) amendments to the Child Welfare Act, including Chapter 5A on child care centres for minors. (June/July 2009);
(b) a new Act relating to the establishment of an expert child commission dealing with child welfare cases (March 2009);
(c) the Anti-Discrimination and Accessibility Act (January 2009);
(d) the new Immigration Act (15 May 2008);
C. Main areas of concern and recommendations
1. General measures of implementation (arts. 4, 42 and 44, paragraph 6 of the Convention)
The Committee’s previous recommendations
5. The Committee welcomes the efforts of the State party to implement the Committee’s concluding observations on the State
party’s third periodic report on the Convention (CRC/C/15/Add.263) and the initial reports under the two Optional Protocols
(CRC/C/OPAC/NOR/CO/1 and CRC/C/OPSA/NOR/CO/1) and draws the attention of the State party to the fact that the positive
aspects, concerns and recommendations found in the present concluding observations refer to the State party’s obligations under
these three treaties.
Click here to read more »
Committee on the Rights of the Child
Fifty-third session
11-29 January 2010
Consideration of reports submitted by States parties under article 44 of the Convention
Concluding observations: Norway
A. Introduction
2. The Committee welcomes the submission of the fourth periodic report, which also includes information on the implementation of
the Convention’s two protocols, as well as the written replies to its list of issues (CRC/C/NOR/Q/4/Add.1), and commends the
informative report and the frank and constructive dialogue with a multisectoral delegation at a senior level, which allowed a better
understanding of the situation of children in the State party.
B. Follow-up measures and progress achieved by the State party
3. The Committee notes with appreciation the adoption of:
(a) amendments to the Child Welfare Act, including Chapter 5A on child care centres for minors. (June/July 2009);
(b) a new Act relating to the establishment of an expert child commission dealing with child welfare cases (March 2009);
(c) the Anti-Discrimination and Accessibility Act (January 2009);
(d) the new Immigration Act (15 May 2008);
C. Main areas of concern and recommendations
1. General measures of implementation (arts. 4, 42 and 44, paragraph 6 of the Convention)
The Committee’s previous recommendations
5. The Committee welcomes the efforts of the State party to implement the Committee’s concluding observations on the State
party’s third periodic report on the Convention (CRC/C/15/Add.263) and the initial reports under the two Optional Protocols
(CRC/C/OPAC/NOR/CO/1 and CRC/C/OPSA/NOR/CO/1) and draws the attention of the State party to the fact that the positive
aspects, concerns and recommendations found in the present concluding observations refer to the State party’s obligations under
these three treaties.
Click here to read more »
FREEDOM IN THE WORLD- 2010
Political Rights Score: 1
Civil Liberties Score: 1
Status: Free
Overview
Violent clashes that broke out in Oslo at the end of 2008 between police and Palestinians demonstrating against Israel’s military
campaign in the Gaza Strip spilled over into January 2009. In September elections, the Red-Green coalition became the first ruling
party to be reelected in 16 years, and Jens Stoltenberg was reappointed prime minister in October.
In December 2008, a group of Palestinians assembled outside the Israeli embassy in Oslo to protest against the Israeli Defense
Forces’ incursion into the Gaza Strip. The demonstration turned violent after protestors began throwing Molotov cocktails,
resulting in the arrest of four protestors. The protests sparked widespread clashes between demonstrators and police during the
first two weeks of 2009, leading to rioting in other parts of Oslo. Several instances of police force were reported, including the use
of tear gas to disperse crowds. By mid-January, nearly 200 protestors had been arrested, most of whom were immigrants.
Norway was elected as a member of the UN Human Rights Council in May, and the President of the Norwegian Storting,
Thorbjoern Jagland, was elected Secretary General of the Council of Europe in September. Also in 2009, the UN Development
Programme’s Human Development Report found Norway to have the best quality of life.
Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg’s center-left Red-Green coalition was reelected in the September 2009 parliamentary elections,
making it the first government to win reelection in the last 16 years. The coalition—led by Stoltenberg’s Labor Party, which won
64 seats—includes the Socialist Left Party and the Center Party (Agrarians), which captured 11 seats each. The Progress Party
secured 41 seats; the Christian Democrats, 10 seats; and the Liberal Left, 2 seats.While the Norwegian Police Security Branch
expressed fears of possible attacks against politicians leading up to the elections, no incidences of violence were reported; a revised
national budget provided for an extra $4.5 million to strengthen protection for politicians.
In the Sami Assembly elections in September, the Labor Party captured 14 seats, the Progress Party took 3 seats, and various other
Sami parties won a total of 22 seats.
Click here to read more »
Political Rights Score: 1
Civil Liberties Score: 1
Status: Free
Overview
Violent clashes that broke out in Oslo at the end of 2008 between police and Palestinians demonstrating against Israel’s military
campaign in the Gaza Strip spilled over into January 2009. In September elections, the Red-Green coalition became the first ruling
party to be reelected in 16 years, and Jens Stoltenberg was reappointed prime minister in October.
In December 2008, a group of Palestinians assembled outside the Israeli embassy in Oslo to protest against the Israeli Defense
Forces’ incursion into the Gaza Strip. The demonstration turned violent after protestors began throwing Molotov cocktails,
resulting in the arrest of four protestors. The protests sparked widespread clashes between demonstrators and police during the
first two weeks of 2009, leading to rioting in other parts of Oslo. Several instances of police force were reported, including the use
of tear gas to disperse crowds. By mid-January, nearly 200 protestors had been arrested, most of whom were immigrants.
Norway was elected as a member of the UN Human Rights Council in May, and the President of the Norwegian Storting,
Thorbjoern Jagland, was elected Secretary General of the Council of Europe in September. Also in 2009, the UN Development
Programme’s Human Development Report found Norway to have the best quality of life.
Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg’s center-left Red-Green coalition was reelected in the September 2009 parliamentary elections,
making it the first government to win reelection in the last 16 years. The coalition—led by Stoltenberg’s Labor Party, which won
64 seats—includes the Socialist Left Party and the Center Party (Agrarians), which captured 11 seats each. The Progress Party
secured 41 seats; the Christian Democrats, 10 seats; and the Liberal Left, 2 seats.While the Norwegian Police Security Branch
expressed fears of possible attacks against politicians leading up to the elections, no incidences of violence were reported; a revised
national budget provided for an extra $4.5 million to strengthen protection for politicians.
In the Sami Assembly elections in September, the Labor Party captured 14 seats, the Progress Party took 3 seats, and various other
Sami parties won a total of 22 seats.
Click here to read more »
Rape victims worldwide denied justice and dignity
8 March 2010
Victims of rape and sexual violence worldwide are denied access to justice due to gender discrimination and assumptions about the
sexual behaviour of victims of rape, Amnesty International said in two regional reports released on Monday.
To mark International Women's Day, Amnesty International released two reports looking at sexual violence in locations across the
developed and developing world; specifically Cambodia and the Nordic Countries of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.
"In poor and rich countries alike, women who are raped or abused have little chance of seeing their attackers brought to justice,"
said Widney Brown, Senior Director of International Law and Policy at Amnesty International. "It is shocking that in the 21st
century with so much legislation designed to ensure women's equality, that virtually every government fails to protect women or to
ensure that their abusers are held to account for their crimes."
Amnesty International's reports show that victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence seeking justice face many obstacles.
These include inadequate, negative or dismissive responses by police, medical and judicial personnel. Given the pervasive
indifference of authorities, many women feel ashamed or blame themselves and don't even try to report these crimes to the police.
In instances where women do go to the police, their claims for reparation and justice are rarely met. The two reports found that
prosecution rates for rape are among the lowest for any offence.
"Unless the sexual violence is also accompanied by physical violence, it is simply not taken seriously," said Widney Brown. "A
woman who survives the rape without significant physical injury is often stigmatized or held responsible for a crime committed
against her while the rapist often faces limited, if any, social or legal sanction."
Though the legal systems examined in the reports vary greatly, Amnesty International found that all contain gaps and discrepancies
which discourage women and girls from seeking justice for crimes committed against them.
In Nordic countries, for example, the use of violence or threats of violence determine the seriousness of rape rather than the
violation of a woman's sexual autonomy. The report Case Closed: Rape and Human Rights in the Nordic Countries, documents one
case in Finland where a man forced a woman to have sexual intercourse in the disabled toilet of a car park by banging her head
against the wall and twisting her arm behind her back. In the prosecutor's opinion, this was not rape as the violence used was of
slight degree. The man was convicted of coercion into sexual intercourse and sentenced to a conditional (suspended) seven-month
prison term.
Click here to read more »
8 March 2010
Victims of rape and sexual violence worldwide are denied access to justice due to gender discrimination and assumptions about the
sexual behaviour of victims of rape, Amnesty International said in two regional reports released on Monday.
To mark International Women's Day, Amnesty International released two reports looking at sexual violence in locations across the
developed and developing world; specifically Cambodia and the Nordic Countries of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.
"In poor and rich countries alike, women who are raped or abused have little chance of seeing their attackers brought to justice,"
said Widney Brown, Senior Director of International Law and Policy at Amnesty International. "It is shocking that in the 21st
century with so much legislation designed to ensure women's equality, that virtually every government fails to protect women or to
ensure that their abusers are held to account for their crimes."
Amnesty International's reports show that victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence seeking justice face many obstacles.
These include inadequate, negative or dismissive responses by police, medical and judicial personnel. Given the pervasive
indifference of authorities, many women feel ashamed or blame themselves and don't even try to report these crimes to the police.
In instances where women do go to the police, their claims for reparation and justice are rarely met. The two reports found that
prosecution rates for rape are among the lowest for any offence.
"Unless the sexual violence is also accompanied by physical violence, it is simply not taken seriously," said Widney Brown. "A
woman who survives the rape without significant physical injury is often stigmatized or held responsible for a crime committed
against her while the rapist often faces limited, if any, social or legal sanction."
Though the legal systems examined in the reports vary greatly, Amnesty International found that all contain gaps and discrepancies
which discourage women and girls from seeking justice for crimes committed against them.
In Nordic countries, for example, the use of violence or threats of violence determine the seriousness of rape rather than the
violation of a woman's sexual autonomy. The report Case Closed: Rape and Human Rights in the Nordic Countries, documents one
case in Finland where a man forced a woman to have sexual intercourse in the disabled toilet of a car park by banging her head
against the wall and twisting her arm behind her back. In the prosecutor's opinion, this was not rape as the violence used was of
slight degree. The man was convicted of coercion into sexual intercourse and sentenced to a conditional (suspended) seven-month
prison term.
Click here to read more »
UN Racism Conference: Defeat Bigotry by Standing Ground
Governments Should Stay to Rebut Ahmadinejad Speech
April 20, 2009
(Geneva) - Governments attending a UN racism conference used by Iran's president to give a hate-filled speech should respond by
staying to ensure that the conference agrees on a strong anti-racism message, Human Rights Watch said today.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made a speech at the Geneva conference to question the Holocaust, singling out Israel and
Zionism as embodying modern racism, prompting numerous Western governments to walk out of the conference hall.
"Ahmadinejad's speech contradicted the spirit and purpose of the conference, which is to defeat the scourge of racism," said
Juliette de Rivero, Geneva advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. "The best response to Ahmadinejad's inflammatory rhetoric
is to stay in Geneva and rebut it."
Human Rights Watch urged the European Union member states and other delegations that walked out during the Ahmadinejad
speech to return to the chamber and work together to adopt the draft declaration against racism. As the Norwegian foreign
minister, Jonas Gahr Store, said in reference to the Iranian president's speech: "Norway will not accept that the odd man out
hijacks the collective efforts of the many."
Click here to read more »
Governments Should Stay to Rebut Ahmadinejad Speech
April 20, 2009
(Geneva) - Governments attending a UN racism conference used by Iran's president to give a hate-filled speech should respond by
staying to ensure that the conference agrees on a strong anti-racism message, Human Rights Watch said today.
President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad made a speech at the Geneva conference to question the Holocaust, singling out Israel and
Zionism as embodying modern racism, prompting numerous Western governments to walk out of the conference hall.
"Ahmadinejad's speech contradicted the spirit and purpose of the conference, which is to defeat the scourge of racism," said
Juliette de Rivero, Geneva advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. "The best response to Ahmadinejad's inflammatory rhetoric
is to stay in Geneva and rebut it."
Human Rights Watch urged the European Union member states and other delegations that walked out during the Ahmadinejad
speech to return to the chamber and work together to adopt the draft declaration against racism. As the Norwegian foreign
minister, Jonas Gahr Store, said in reference to the Iranian president's speech: "Norway will not accept that the odd man out
hijacks the collective efforts of the many."
Click here to read more »
Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Mona Juul, held the following statement in the Third Committee
on 27 October, 2009. The statement addresses agenda item 69 (b and c): "Human rights questions, including alternative
approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms."
Mr. Chair,
Six decades after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, women and girls are still regarded as lesser beings in
many corners of the world. Women’s equal value and dignity are being ignored and denied.
Our experience is that the greatest gains countries can make, economically as well as politically, come with empowering women,
ensuring equal opportunities, equal access to health and increasing women’s active participation in working life.
Increasing women’s participation is an act of political will. It comes as a result of systematic policies to empower women legally,
economically and politically.
One glance at the Human Development Report says it clearly: there is a strong correlation between the level of gender equality and the
growth and prosperity of our countries.
To promote the equal participation of women and men – in both peace and post- conflict situations – is among the highest priorities of
my Government. Women should be recognised as key contributors to economic and social development both in peace and in conflict
resolution, reconciliation and reconstruction.
It is encouraging that several states made commitments with respect to women’s rights in the context of the Human Rights Council’s
Universal Periodic Review mechanism. In December this year Norway’s UPR reports will be examined. In Norway’s national report
we have taken a self-critical view on our human rights performance. This also includes challenges we have with domestic violence
and gender inequality.
Norway will during this session present its biennial resolutions on the promotion and protection of human rights defenders as well as
on the protection of and assistance to internally displaced persons.
Across the globe courageous human rights defenders work tirelessly to promote democracy, development and human rights. They
fight against racism, torture, arbitrary detentions, hunger, enforced disappearances and other forms of human rights violations. Their
cause is to improve the lives and freedoms of others. They are essential in promoting tolerance and human dignity. And they are
essential in ensuring that human rights – economic, social and cultural, as well as civil and political rights – d are implemented on the
ground. Indeed, the idealism and persistence of such individuals and groups have many times changed the course of history.
Click here to read more »
on 27 October, 2009. The statement addresses agenda item 69 (b and c): "Human rights questions, including alternative
approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms."
Mr. Chair,
Six decades after the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, women and girls are still regarded as lesser beings in
many corners of the world. Women’s equal value and dignity are being ignored and denied.
Our experience is that the greatest gains countries can make, economically as well as politically, come with empowering women,
ensuring equal opportunities, equal access to health and increasing women’s active participation in working life.
Increasing women’s participation is an act of political will. It comes as a result of systematic policies to empower women legally,
economically and politically.
One glance at the Human Development Report says it clearly: there is a strong correlation between the level of gender equality and the
growth and prosperity of our countries.
To promote the equal participation of women and men – in both peace and post- conflict situations – is among the highest priorities of
my Government. Women should be recognised as key contributors to economic and social development both in peace and in conflict
resolution, reconciliation and reconstruction.
It is encouraging that several states made commitments with respect to women’s rights in the context of the Human Rights Council’s
Universal Periodic Review mechanism. In December this year Norway’s UPR reports will be examined. In Norway’s national report
we have taken a self-critical view on our human rights performance. This also includes challenges we have with domestic violence
and gender inequality.
Norway will during this session present its biennial resolutions on the promotion and protection of human rights defenders as well as
on the protection of and assistance to internally displaced persons.
Across the globe courageous human rights defenders work tirelessly to promote democracy, development and human rights. They
fight against racism, torture, arbitrary detentions, hunger, enforced disappearances and other forms of human rights violations. Their
cause is to improve the lives and freedoms of others. They are essential in promoting tolerance and human dignity. And they are
essential in ensuring that human rights – economic, social and cultural, as well as civil and political rights – d are implemented on the
ground. Indeed, the idealism and persistence of such individuals and groups have many times changed the course of history.
Click here to read more »
TRANSLATED FROM NORWEGIAN BY GOOGLE TRANSLATE
Freedom from poverty - a human right?
Av Christian Boe Astrup
Published 29th March 2010 13:34
-Ethicists often finds a strictly legal approach to the problem of poverty is dangerous. Ultimately, they claim, it can lead to poverty
legalized.
- My project is to clarify what's legal obligations in relation to poverty problem, says Richard Hustad.
- My project is to clarify what's legal obligations in relation to poverty problem, says Richard Hustad.
For PhD student Richard Hustad is poverty which should primarily be fought, whether it's with a legal or ethical basis. In the
dissertation he is now working on set, he asked questions about poverty in conflict with international legal norms of human rights.
Law and morality
-The working hypothesis is not surprising that poverty violates rights conventions, "says Hustad. It is also important to be aware
that there is a marked distinction between what to approach issues with legal, or moral spectacles.
A law does not represent in itself a moral imperative, argues Hustad, underlining the necessity to distinguish between law and moral
obligation. In a given case can thus be conceived themselves morally obliged to break the law.
Dogmatic approach form
-My project is to clarify what's legal obligations in relation to the poverty problem. Should the production be sufficiently precise, it
is necessary to be aware of the distinction between law and morality. I have chosen a so-called dogmatic approach form, which
means short and sweet that I nærleser existing human rights conventions. The goal is the best possible understanding of what is
actually states' obligations in relation to poverty, "says Hustad.
Click here to read more »
Freedom from poverty - a human right?
Av Christian Boe Astrup
Published 29th March 2010 13:34
-Ethicists often finds a strictly legal approach to the problem of poverty is dangerous. Ultimately, they claim, it can lead to poverty
legalized.
- My project is to clarify what's legal obligations in relation to poverty problem, says Richard Hustad.
- My project is to clarify what's legal obligations in relation to poverty problem, says Richard Hustad.
For PhD student Richard Hustad is poverty which should primarily be fought, whether it's with a legal or ethical basis. In the
dissertation he is now working on set, he asked questions about poverty in conflict with international legal norms of human rights.
Law and morality
-The working hypothesis is not surprising that poverty violates rights conventions, "says Hustad. It is also important to be aware
that there is a marked distinction between what to approach issues with legal, or moral spectacles.
A law does not represent in itself a moral imperative, argues Hustad, underlining the necessity to distinguish between law and moral
obligation. In a given case can thus be conceived themselves morally obliged to break the law.
Dogmatic approach form
-My project is to clarify what's legal obligations in relation to the poverty problem. Should the production be sufficiently precise, it
is necessary to be aware of the distinction between law and morality. I have chosen a so-called dogmatic approach form, which
means short and sweet that I nærleser existing human rights conventions. The goal is the best possible understanding of what is
actually states' obligations in relation to poverty, "says Hustad.
Click here to read more »
TRANSLATED FROM SWEDISH BY GOOGLE TRANSLATE
Sami Council's operational 2009 - 2010
Sámiráññi
Saami Council
Союз Саамов
Saamelaisneuvosto
OF ACTION 2009 - 2010
Approved at Council Meeting 14-15.3.2009
1st GENERAL
Sami Council, which is a voluntary and independent association, which seems the common Sami Organisation of the Sami
organizations in Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish and Russian side on issues concerning culture and politics in general. Sami Council, a
non-governmental civil organization, (non-governmental Organization), was founded August 18, 1956 at Sami's second conference
in Kárášjohka / Karasjok, Norway.
Saami Council main purpose is to defend the interests of the Sami people and strengthen the unity of the Sami state borders. In
addition, it aims to promote the Sami in the future recognized as a people, whose cultural, political, social and religious rights
guaranteed both in each individual state laws by agreements between States and Sami representative bodies.
Sami Council participates in international processes relating to indigenous peoples, human rights, the Arctic and environmental
issues. In order to achieve its ends gives Sami Council resolutions, and will make suggestions on issues related to the Sami
livelihoods, rights, language and culture. Sami Council is particularly active in issues affecting Sami in several countries.
Saami Council is a cooperative organization for the Saami organizations in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Russia. 19 Sami
Conference in 2008 Renägarförbundet accepted as a new member. Council member organizations are:
- Norway: Norgga Boazosápmelaččaid Riikkasearvi / Norske reindriftsamers Landsforbund
(NBR / NRL), Norgga Sámiid Riikkasearvi / Norwegian Sami Association (NSR) and Sámiiid Álbmotlihttu / Samenes folkeforbund
(SAL / SFF),
- Finland: Suomen Sámiid Guovddášsearvi (SSG),
- Sweden: Sámiid Riikkasearvi / Sami National Association (SSR) and National Organisation Same Ätnam
(RSA) and as a new member Boazoeaiggádiid oktavuohta / Renägarförbundet (BEO / RAF)
- Russia: Same Organization in the Murmansk area and OOSMO Guoládaga Searvi Sámi (GSS).
Click here to read more »
Sami Council's operational 2009 - 2010
Sámiráññi
Saami Council
Союз Саамов
Saamelaisneuvosto
OF ACTION 2009 - 2010
Approved at Council Meeting 14-15.3.2009
1st GENERAL
Sami Council, which is a voluntary and independent association, which seems the common Sami Organisation of the Sami
organizations in Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish and Russian side on issues concerning culture and politics in general. Sami Council, a
non-governmental civil organization, (non-governmental Organization), was founded August 18, 1956 at Sami's second conference
in Kárášjohka / Karasjok, Norway.
Saami Council main purpose is to defend the interests of the Sami people and strengthen the unity of the Sami state borders. In
addition, it aims to promote the Sami in the future recognized as a people, whose cultural, political, social and religious rights
guaranteed both in each individual state laws by agreements between States and Sami representative bodies.
Sami Council participates in international processes relating to indigenous peoples, human rights, the Arctic and environmental
issues. In order to achieve its ends gives Sami Council resolutions, and will make suggestions on issues related to the Sami
livelihoods, rights, language and culture. Sami Council is particularly active in issues affecting Sami in several countries.
Saami Council is a cooperative organization for the Saami organizations in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Russia. 19 Sami
Conference in 2008 Renägarförbundet accepted as a new member. Council member organizations are:
- Norway: Norgga Boazosápmelaččaid Riikkasearvi / Norske reindriftsamers Landsforbund
(NBR / NRL), Norgga Sámiid Riikkasearvi / Norwegian Sami Association (NSR) and Sámiiid Álbmotlihttu / Samenes folkeforbund
(SAL / SFF),
- Finland: Suomen Sámiid Guovddášsearvi (SSG),
- Sweden: Sámiid Riikkasearvi / Sami National Association (SSR) and National Organisation Same Ätnam
(RSA) and as a new member Boazoeaiggádiid oktavuohta / Renägarförbundet (BEO / RAF)
- Russia: Same Organization in the Murmansk area and OOSMO Guoládaga Searvi Sámi (GSS).
Click here to read more »
Recent archeological finds (2005) have it that hunters from the south - most likely the Hamburg culture - in summer
time could travel far north along the Norwegian coast line as early as the start of Holocene, 12 000 years ago, when
the icecap was still on the highland. Temporary settlements and traces of tipis have been found as far north as the
Alta region. Bremsnes-hulen, a cave near Kristiansund and Fosna north of Trondheim are the earliest sites. The clue
to travel the coastal tundra dryshod was the sea level being 50 m lower than today. Settled since the end of the last
ice age, modern-day Scandinavia contains finds from the Stone age and Bronze age, such as rock carvings. From the
time of the Roman Empire until about 800 AD, Scandinavia is known for its Iron Age culture. Many stone
inscriptions can be found, written in Runes. Then Scandinavia became famous in the Middle Ages for its fearless
warriors, explorers and traders, the Vikings. Between AD 800 and AD 1100, the Vikings discovered and settled
Iceland and Greenland, and conquered parts of Britain, and Ireland, and were also known to travel as far as
Constantinople, Greece, Northern Africa and Newfoundland. By utilising their excellent boats and organisation they
became master traders and warriors. In the 12th and 13th centuries, several history works, known as the kings'
sagas were written in Norway and Iceland, the best known of which is Snorri Sturluson's Heimskringla (c. 1220).
These provide our main sources for the early history of Norway. However, their accuracy for the earliest period is
uncertain, and a much debated topic among modern historians. The stories about the earliest times are partly
legendary in nature, and are not taken as accurate history by modern historians. By the time of the first historical
records of Scandinavia, about the 700s AD, Norway was divided into many petty kingdoms. A number of small
communities were gradually organised into larger regions in the 9th century, and in 872 King Harald Fairhair unified
the realm and became its first supreme ruler. King Harald had many children, and his heirs ruled Norway with short
interruptions until 1319. Religious influence from Europe (especially England and Ireland) led to the adoption of
Christianity. Central in this was King Olav Haraldsson ("The Holy") who died in the Battle of Stiklestad on July 29,
1030. He became Norway's patron Saint Olav, and his tomb at Nidaros cathedral Trondheim became the most
important pilgrimage destination in Northern Europe. The archdiocese of Nidaros was established in 1153. Between
1130 and 1240 Norway underwent a period known as the civil war era. Around 1200, the Norwegian king ruled
over land from Man in the Irish Sea to the Kola Peninsula in the east. Greenland and Iceland were incorporated as
dependencies in 1262. After the Black Death Norway entered into a period of decline. The Royal line died out and
the country entered into two unequal unions from 1396 until 1814; this period was called "the 400-year-night" by
Henrik Ibsen during the national romantic period as Norwegian national awareness was rediscovered in the 19th
century. It can be broken into two main periods: 1) The union of all Scandinavia referred to as the Kalmar Union,
and 2) The Danish Period or Union with Denmark. King Haakon V died without male heirs in 1319. His daughter
married a Swedish prince, whose son Magnus Eriksson inherited both kingdoms. Magnus's son Haakon VI and his
infant son Olav IV were Norway's last native kings until Harald V ascended to the throne in 1991. Margrethe, the
queen mother, succeeded in uniting Norway with Denmark and Sweden in the Kalmar Union (1397–1523), which
ended after 180 years when Sweden seceded in 1536. Norway's power was weakened during this period by the
loss of a large part of the population during the Black Death pandemic of 1349–1351. The elite in Norway was so
weakened that it was not able to resist the pressures from the Danes. More and more decisions were taken in
Kopenhagen and the Norwegian Riksråd was eventually disbanded. The Danish crown was represented by a
governor styled Statholder, but it was always important for the King to maintain Norway's legal status as a separate
hereditary kingdom. In 1814 Denmark-Norway was defeated in the Napoleonic wars and the king was forced to
cede Norway to the king of Sweden in the Treaty of Kiel (January 14). Owing to an omission in the treaty, the
Norwegian dependencies Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands were kept by Denmark. In an attempt to retain
control over Norway despite the treaty, the Viceroy and hereditary prince of Denmark-Norway encouraged
representatives of various social and political factions to gather at Eidsvoll to declare independence, adopt a
constitution and elect hereditary prince Christian Frederik as king. May 17 is still celebrated as the day of the new
democratic constitution of independent Norway. Sweden responded later the same year by waging war on Norway.
In the peace negotiations, Christian Frederik agreed to relinquish claims to the Norwegian throne and return to
Denmark if Sweden would accept the democratic Norwegian constitution and a loose personal union. The
Norwegian parliament (Stortinget) then elected the Swedish king as king of Norway on November 4, 1814. The
Swedish crown was represented by a governor-general styled Stattholder, often noble, repeatedly even the Crown
Prince (then called Viceroy). The union was peacefully dissolved in 1905 after several years of political unrest when
Sweden recognised Norwegian independence. The parliament offered the throne to Prince Carl of Denmark, who
accepted it after a referendum confirmed the monarchy and rejected a republican form of government. On
November 18 he ascended the throne under the Norwegian name of Haakon VII. Norway remained neutral during
World War I. However, 1,156 Norwegian sailors were lost during the U-boat war. Despite their neutrality, the
Norwegian government went to considerable lengths to accommodate Britain, on account of both British pressure
and an anti-German sentiment. These accommodations came in the form of the very large Norwegian merchant fleet,
who delivered essential supplies to Britain, who in return supplied Norway with vital coal. This led to Norway
occasionally being called The Neutral Ally. As World War II erupted, Norway insisted on remaining neutral despite
warnings from some political factions that the country's strategic importance was too great for Nazi Germany to leave
it alone, and attempts from the same factions to obtain political consensus to build up sufficient defences to withstand
an invasion long enough for Allied reinforcements to arrive from France and Britain. In a surprise dawn attack on
April 9, 1940, Germany launched Operation Weserübung. The German forces attacked Oslo and the major
Norwegian ports (Bergen, Trondheim, Kristiansand and Narvik) and quickly gained footholds in those cities and the
surrounding areas. After the liberation, active members of the National Socialist party and those who had
collaborated with the enemy were prosecuted and sentenced. Twenty-five Norwegians, including Quisling, were
executed for treason and/or war crimes, and 12 Germans were executed for war crimes.In 1949 Norway became a
member of NATO. The discovery of oil and gas in adjacent waters in the late 1960s boosted Norway's economic
fortunes. The current focus is on containing spending on the extensive welfare system and planning for the time when
petroleum reserves are depleted. In referenda held in 1972 and on November 28, 1994, Norway rejected joining
the European Union, though it remains associated with it through being part of the wider European Economic Area.
Norway has advanced in its standard of living beyond many of its European counterparts, in large part to its affluent
economy. As a result, for the last several years the United Nations has ranked Norway as having the highest
standard of living in the world.
Sources: Wikipedia: History of Norway
time could travel far north along the Norwegian coast line as early as the start of Holocene, 12 000 years ago, when
the icecap was still on the highland. Temporary settlements and traces of tipis have been found as far north as the
Alta region. Bremsnes-hulen, a cave near Kristiansund and Fosna north of Trondheim are the earliest sites. The clue
to travel the coastal tundra dryshod was the sea level being 50 m lower than today. Settled since the end of the last
ice age, modern-day Scandinavia contains finds from the Stone age and Bronze age, such as rock carvings. From the
time of the Roman Empire until about 800 AD, Scandinavia is known for its Iron Age culture. Many stone
inscriptions can be found, written in Runes. Then Scandinavia became famous in the Middle Ages for its fearless
warriors, explorers and traders, the Vikings. Between AD 800 and AD 1100, the Vikings discovered and settled
Iceland and Greenland, and conquered parts of Britain, and Ireland, and were also known to travel as far as
Constantinople, Greece, Northern Africa and Newfoundland. By utilising their excellent boats and organisation they
became master traders and warriors. In the 12th and 13th centuries, several history works, known as the kings'
sagas were written in Norway and Iceland, the best known of which is Snorri Sturluson's Heimskringla (c. 1220).
These provide our main sources for the early history of Norway. However, their accuracy for the earliest period is
uncertain, and a much debated topic among modern historians. The stories about the earliest times are partly
legendary in nature, and are not taken as accurate history by modern historians. By the time of the first historical
records of Scandinavia, about the 700s AD, Norway was divided into many petty kingdoms. A number of small
communities were gradually organised into larger regions in the 9th century, and in 872 King Harald Fairhair unified
the realm and became its first supreme ruler. King Harald had many children, and his heirs ruled Norway with short
interruptions until 1319. Religious influence from Europe (especially England and Ireland) led to the adoption of
Christianity. Central in this was King Olav Haraldsson ("The Holy") who died in the Battle of Stiklestad on July 29,
1030. He became Norway's patron Saint Olav, and his tomb at Nidaros cathedral Trondheim became the most
important pilgrimage destination in Northern Europe. The archdiocese of Nidaros was established in 1153. Between
1130 and 1240 Norway underwent a period known as the civil war era. Around 1200, the Norwegian king ruled
over land from Man in the Irish Sea to the Kola Peninsula in the east. Greenland and Iceland were incorporated as
dependencies in 1262. After the Black Death Norway entered into a period of decline. The Royal line died out and
the country entered into two unequal unions from 1396 until 1814; this period was called "the 400-year-night" by
Henrik Ibsen during the national romantic period as Norwegian national awareness was rediscovered in the 19th
century. It can be broken into two main periods: 1) The union of all Scandinavia referred to as the Kalmar Union,
and 2) The Danish Period or Union with Denmark. King Haakon V died without male heirs in 1319. His daughter
married a Swedish prince, whose son Magnus Eriksson inherited both kingdoms. Magnus's son Haakon VI and his
infant son Olav IV were Norway's last native kings until Harald V ascended to the throne in 1991. Margrethe, the
queen mother, succeeded in uniting Norway with Denmark and Sweden in the Kalmar Union (1397–1523), which
ended after 180 years when Sweden seceded in 1536. Norway's power was weakened during this period by the
loss of a large part of the population during the Black Death pandemic of 1349–1351. The elite in Norway was so
weakened that it was not able to resist the pressures from the Danes. More and more decisions were taken in
Kopenhagen and the Norwegian Riksråd was eventually disbanded. The Danish crown was represented by a
governor styled Statholder, but it was always important for the King to maintain Norway's legal status as a separate
hereditary kingdom. In 1814 Denmark-Norway was defeated in the Napoleonic wars and the king was forced to
cede Norway to the king of Sweden in the Treaty of Kiel (January 14). Owing to an omission in the treaty, the
Norwegian dependencies Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands were kept by Denmark. In an attempt to retain
control over Norway despite the treaty, the Viceroy and hereditary prince of Denmark-Norway encouraged
representatives of various social and political factions to gather at Eidsvoll to declare independence, adopt a
constitution and elect hereditary prince Christian Frederik as king. May 17 is still celebrated as the day of the new
democratic constitution of independent Norway. Sweden responded later the same year by waging war on Norway.
In the peace negotiations, Christian Frederik agreed to relinquish claims to the Norwegian throne and return to
Denmark if Sweden would accept the democratic Norwegian constitution and a loose personal union. The
Norwegian parliament (Stortinget) then elected the Swedish king as king of Norway on November 4, 1814. The
Swedish crown was represented by a governor-general styled Stattholder, often noble, repeatedly even the Crown
Prince (then called Viceroy). The union was peacefully dissolved in 1905 after several years of political unrest when
Sweden recognised Norwegian independence. The parliament offered the throne to Prince Carl of Denmark, who
accepted it after a referendum confirmed the monarchy and rejected a republican form of government. On
November 18 he ascended the throne under the Norwegian name of Haakon VII. Norway remained neutral during
World War I. However, 1,156 Norwegian sailors were lost during the U-boat war. Despite their neutrality, the
Norwegian government went to considerable lengths to accommodate Britain, on account of both British pressure
and an anti-German sentiment. These accommodations came in the form of the very large Norwegian merchant fleet,
who delivered essential supplies to Britain, who in return supplied Norway with vital coal. This led to Norway
occasionally being called The Neutral Ally. As World War II erupted, Norway insisted on remaining neutral despite
warnings from some political factions that the country's strategic importance was too great for Nazi Germany to leave
it alone, and attempts from the same factions to obtain political consensus to build up sufficient defences to withstand
an invasion long enough for Allied reinforcements to arrive from France and Britain. In a surprise dawn attack on
April 9, 1940, Germany launched Operation Weserübung. The German forces attacked Oslo and the major
Norwegian ports (Bergen, Trondheim, Kristiansand and Narvik) and quickly gained footholds in those cities and the
surrounding areas. After the liberation, active members of the National Socialist party and those who had
collaborated with the enemy were prosecuted and sentenced. Twenty-five Norwegians, including Quisling, were
executed for treason and/or war crimes, and 12 Germans were executed for war crimes.In 1949 Norway became a
member of NATO. The discovery of oil and gas in adjacent waters in the late 1960s boosted Norway's economic
fortunes. The current focus is on containing spending on the extensive welfare system and planning for the time when
petroleum reserves are depleted. In referenda held in 1972 and on November 28, 1994, Norway rejected joining
the European Union, though it remains associated with it through being part of the wider European Economic Area.
Norway has advanced in its standard of living beyond many of its European counterparts, in large part to its affluent
economy. As a result, for the last several years the United Nations has ranked Norway as having the highest
standard of living in the world.
Sources: Wikipedia: History of Norway
Click on map for larger view
Click on flag for Country Report
Haakon Magnus
Crown Prince and Heir Apparent
since 20 July 1973
Crown Prince and Heir Apparent
since 20 July 1973
| TRAFFICKING IN PERSONS |
None reported.