As delivered by First Secretary Paul O. Bjordal
Check against delivery
President,
We would like to welcome the Special Rapporteur and thank her for the timely report. Norway remains deeply committed to combat racism, xenophobia, discrimination and intolerance. We share concerns about increased manifestations of extremist ideologies, incl. right-wing extremism and neo-nazism, which pose an unacceptable threat to and specificially target ethnic, religious or other minority groups in the population.
We need to confront extremist ideologies, prejudices and stereotypes in the public debate by underlining the positive messages of inclusion and tolerance. Freedom of assembly and freedom of expression are amongst our most powerful tools in the fight against racism, xenophobia, discrimination and intolance.
Madame Special Rapporteur,
Your report recalls the horrendous terrorist attacks in Norway on 22 July 2011. The perpetrator, a young man, stated right-wing extremist and islamofob motives for the terrorist acts. The Norwegian people’s response was to embrace the values on which our country is built; democracy and fundamental freedoms, equality and inclusion.
In April 2016 a dedicated Center for Research on Extremisme; the Extreme Right, Hate Crime and Political Violence, was established at the University of Oslo. The center is to develop knowledge on causes and consequenses of right-wing extremism and hate crime.
Thank you.