Human rights
The promotion of human rights and democratic principles is at the heart of Norwegian foreign policy. This policy is implemented both in international forums such as the UN, the OSCE and the Council of Europe, and at country level.
Extended mandate for human rights defenders
The UN Human Rights Council has adopted a draft resolution introduced by Norway, and extended the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders for a period of three years.
Guidelines on Norway’s human rights policy
The promotion of human rights is a key component of Norway’s foreign and development policy. As part of its efforts to ensure an integrated human rights policy, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has published several sets of guidelines on different aspects of human rights.
International efforts to combat the death penalty
The right to life is enshrined in both global and regional human rights conventions. The right to life and respect for human dignity and inviolability are the underlying principles on which all other human rights and the fundamental principles of the rule of law are based. The use of the death penalty is a violation of these principles, and is in itself inhumane.
Related topics and insights
What's new
Norway’s report on human rights to the UN
05/02/2019: ‘Norway’s third report to the UN Human Rights Council shows that the Government has done a great deal to strengthen human rights in Norway,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide.
Norway to increase funding for human rights
08/10/2018: ‘Human rights are coming under increasing pressure in various parts of the world. This is why the Government has proposed an increase of NOK 88 million in its support for promoting human rights in next year’s budget, to a total of NOK 680 million,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide.
Latest news
- Speech at the 25th Commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda Speech/statement 30/04/2019
- Opening remarks at the launch of State of Artistic Freedom Speech/statement 26/03/2019
- Resolution on environmental human rights defenders adopted in UN Human Rights Council Press release 22/03/2019
Documents
White paper
Meld. St. 10 (2014–2015)
Opportunities for All: Human Rights in Norway’s Foreign Policy and Development Cooperation
National Action Plan
Business and Human Rights
The present national action plan is intended to enable the business sector to follow the UN Guiding Principles.
Latest documents
Shortcut
Contact
Section for Human Rights, Democracy and Gender Equality
E-mail: mrsek@mfa.no
Phone: +47 23951488
Address: Postboks 8114 Dep., 0032 Oslo
Visitor address: 7. juniplassen 1 / Victoria Terrasse 7, Oslo