Human rights
Topic
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.
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.
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.
Related topics
Current
Priority given to conflict and fragility and human rights
2018-10-08: ‘International institutions and joint solutions are under pressure. At the same time, global security challenges are becoming more complex. In the 2019 budget, the Government has therefore proposed to increase the allocation to countries affected by conflict and fragility and to people in need, and to step up efforts to promote human rights,’ said Minister of Foreign Affairs Ine Eriksen Søreide.
Norway to increase funding for human rights
2018-10-08: ‘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.
Women and Girls on the Move. A Call to Protect
2018-09-25: 'Migrant women need protection and assistance, not only when they arrive in their country of destination but along the entire migratory route', State Secretary Audun Halvorsen said in his statement at a UN General Assembly side event organized by the UNFPA, the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Danish Refugee Council. .
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.
Resources
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