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Dear Dr. Ja Seng Ing, dear all.

The Stefanus Prize is awarded every second year to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to promoting the right to freedom of religion or belief as a human right.

Ja Seng, as a woman from a minority group, you have been fighting for freedom of religion or belief in a world where human rights are increasingly under pressure.

In your country, we hear reports of serious human rights violations.

Indiscriminate attacks have destroyed schools, markets, and places of worship, killing and injuring civilians.

Sexual and gender-based violence remains widespread, and the persecution of ethnic and religious minorities continues.

The humanitarian situation is dire, with more than 16 million people in need of assistance.

In this difficult context, you have defended human rights and given a voice to minorities, including women and youth.

You have also contributed to increased accountability by documenting violations under very demanding conditions.

Your efforts are truly impressive.

This is why it is a privilege for me to speak today in honor of you and your work.

The Government of Norway views with great concern the global rise in discrimination and persecution based on religion or belief.

We are particularly concerned about the gender dimension.

Women from religious minorities are often exposed to double discrimination—both as women and as members of a minority group.

The suppression of fundamental freedoms creates fertile ground for conflict and instability.

It threatens peace.

We must therefore continue to defend the values our societies are built on – values that cannot be taken for granted.

Norway remains committed to promoting human rights and international law, including freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and freedom of religion or belief.

Yet, despite progress, the global picture remains worrying.

Around two thirds of the world’s population live in countries where individuals face restrictions on their ability to practice their religion or belief freely.

In such contexts, people risk serious consequences if they question established norms or choose a different belief.

We must strengthen our efforts to prevent such violations, protect religious minorities, and safeguard their places of worship and assembly.

We must also ensure that victims and survivors receive appropriate support.

This includes protection from violence, access to medical care, and assistance with relocation or rebuilding their lives.

Together with partners, Norway contributes to such efforts.

At the same time, we need a better understanding of what freedom of religion or belief means in practice, and why it matters to people.

This helps us target our efforts more effectively.

As the global landscape changes, we must also adapt our policies.

Norway is currently undertaking a reform process of its international development policy, which will result in the White Paper “Vendepunkt”, to be presented to Parliament in the spring of 2027.

Let me highlight two key concerns:

First: increasing polarization.

This is a defining challenge of our time. Inclusion, tolerance, and pluralism are essential for democratic societies.

Freedom of religion or belief protects individuals, but it cannot be used to justify hate, incite violence, or silence others.

At the same time, freedom of expression—including the right to question and criticize religion—must be upheld.

We need more respectful and open dialogue across differences.

Such dialogue can help combat religious hatred, advance gender equality, and contribute to sustainable development.

Second: gender equality.

This is a key priority for Norway.

Yet religion has too often been used to justify discrimination and violence against women and girls, as well as against people with diverse sexual orientations or gender identities.

At the same time, gender equality and freedom of religion or belief are not conflicting rights.

They can—and must—reinforce each other. We need to find ways to promote both, as mutually strengthening principles.

To achieve this, we must work together—with governments, civil society, academia, and international partners.

The Stefanus Alliance is a key partner to Norway in this work.

Your contributions are vital in preventing violence and persecution and in promoting freedom of religion or belief for all.

Defenders of this freedom need committed individuals who are willing to stand up for their beliefs.

Ja Seng, your work comes at great personal risk.

Your story is a powerful testimony in the struggle for freedom of religion or belief – a freedom that all people, everywhere, should enjoy.

I thank you all for your courage and your relentless efforts.

And today, in particular – thank you, Dr. Ja Seng Ing.

You inspire us all.