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.
Resolution on human rights defenders in UNHRC
22/03/2019: A Norwegian-led resolution on environmental human rights defenders has been adopted by consensus in the UN Human Rights Council. - I am very pleased that we have succeeded in reaching agreement on a strongly worded text, in such a complex area, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide.
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
- Norway's International Strategy to Eliminate Harmful Practices 2019-2023 Plans/strategy 11/11/2019
- Meld. St. 27 (2018–2019) - Norway’s Role and Interests in Multilateral Cooperation Report to the Storting 14/06/2019
- Meld. St. 24 (2016–2017) - Common Responsibility for Common Future Report to the Storting 05/04/2017
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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