Preface

In many countries across the globe, people are subject to discrimination due to their religion or belief. This is a situation we view with great concern.

In 2013, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued guidelines for the efforts of the Foreign Service to promote the rights of religious and belief minorities. The guidelines attracted widespread interest and laid the foundation for close cooperation with relevant stakeholders in Norway and abroad. The past decade has seen increasing challenges in this area, and this has in turn led to broader international interest and engagement.

In its political platform, the Government states that it will work for upholding international law and human rights, with particular emphasis on promoting freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and freedom of religion or belief. These revised guidelines highlight two areas where there is a special need to strengthen efforts to protect and promote freedom of religion or belief. This includes a clearer focus on the role of gender and gender equality in this work, as well as on the intersection between freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief.

While the first version of the guidelines primarily addressed the rights of religious minorities, the revised guidelines highlight the right to freedom of religion or belief of all people, not just minorities. However, the fact remains that there are still many examples of discrimination against and persecution of religious minorities all over the world.

The use of religion for political purposes is not a new phenomenon. For centuries, religious beliefs, doctrines, traditions, and practices have been used to justify discrimination and exclusion of women, girls, and people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities. It is important to stress that human rights apply to all people, regardless of their religion or belief, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We have dedicated a chapter to this issue in these guidelines.

Policies that promote inclusion, tolerance and diversity are essential to fully realise the right to freedom of expression. While freedom of religion or belief protects individuals, it cannot be used as an argument to prohibit or censor criticism of religious faith or practices. Criticism of religions must be tolerated. At the same time, there is disagreement on how to balance considerations relating to the right to freedom of expression with the right to freedom of religion or belief. There is a need to have a thorough understanding of these thematic rights to be able to conduct a nuanced dialogue, and we have dedicated a separate chapter to this as well.

Freedom of religion or belief is an important component of our efforts to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals and ensure that no one is left behind. Religious minorities are often marginalised and unable to practice their rights. We stress that discrimination based on religion or belief is a violation of human rights. Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental human right that must be seen in the context of other thematic human rights.

When discussing these issues internationally with other states and stakeholders, it is important to draw on our own past in the context of the challenges we have faced and continue to face. These guidelines therefore include a chapter on Norway’s own history and experience relating to freedom of religion or belief.

The purpose of the revised guidelines is to better equip the Foreign Service to support efforts promoting the right to freedom of religion or belief, according to the international human rights framework. We hope that these guidelines will be a useful resource in the work of the Foreign Service in this area.

Anniken Huitfeldt
Minister of Foreign Affairs

Anne Beathe Tvinnereim
Minister of International Development