STATEMENT
UPR47
Review of Norway
4 November 2024
Introductory statement delivered by Ambassador Tormod C. ENDRESEN, Permanent Representative of Norway
Check against delivery
President/Vice-President, distinguished Member and Observer States of the Council,
It is a great honour to appear before you in connection with Norway’s fourth Universal Periodic Review. We now have the opportunity to reflect on our human rights obligations, our achievements, and areas in need of further work.
As a basic premise, in all countries, work on human rights is a continuous effort. There will always be room for improvements, also because challenges evolve with our societies.
We look forward to this dialogue. To me personally, it is particularly meaningful to take part as I chair the UPR Group of Friends this year.
We are here with a strong team. The representatives on the podium beside myself are:
- Our Head of Delegation, State Secretary Even Eriksen from the Ministry of Justice and Public Security,
- State Secretary Even Hagen from the Ministry of Culture and Equality, and
- Policy Director Linda Drazdiak from the Ministry of Justice and Public Security.
Behind me, and on the floor are government officials from:
- the Ministry of Justice and Public Security
- the Ministry of Culture and Equality
- the Ministry of Children and Families,
- the Ministry of Municipalities and Local Government,
- the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
- the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation.
Let me say a few words about our preparations and process: Rather than a stand-alone mechanism for implementation and follow-up, we have chosen an integrated approach, with the Ministry of Justice and Public Security in the lead. The Ministry of Justice has led the preparation for this hearing, and finalised the national report. It has done so in close coordination with all relevant ministries, including several that are not here today.
Furthermore, the government has consulted closely with civil society. In two public meetings, NGOs and other stakeholders have been encouraged to give input and comments. We have also circulated both the draft report, prior to their deadline for draft recommendations, and the finalised report to the same constituency.
The Samediggi, the Sámi Parliament, Norway’s National Human Rights Institution, the Parliamentary Ombud’s Preventive Mechanism, the Ombudsperson for Children and the Equality and Anti-Discrimination Ombud have been equally consulted.
We thank all stakeholders for their engagement and input and look forward to working together on the implementation of recommendations.
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President/Vice-President,
Human rights and gender equality are at the core of Norwegian society and domestic policy. Beyond our national context, we are convinced that this focus also brings better outcomes in our foreign policy and international development cooperation. By way of example, the women, peace and security agenda is a key element in our security policy, nationally and globally. Moreover, we base our development cooperation and humanitarian policy on respect for human rights.
And just like we insist that upholding international law is quintessential for international relations, the Government attaches great importance to the fulfilment of its international human rights obligations at home. We firmly believe that the different UN human rights mechanisms, not least the UPR, play a crucial role in improving states’ implementation of their international human rights obligations.
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I now give the floor to State Secretary Eriksen for his first intervention.