The foundation for Sami policy

National laws and international conventions set the obligations towards the Sami population.

Section 108 of the Norwegian Constitution and the Sami Act form the basis for the Government’s goal of taking steps to ensure that the Sami people can maintain and develop their language, culture and way of life. Norway also has obligations to the Sami population pursuant to international conventions, particularly article 27 of the UN Convention on Civil and Political Rights, and ILO Convention no. 169 concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries.