Despite Norway’s relatively solid human rights record, there are still several human rights challenges that need to be addressed by the Norwegian authorities. Many of these relate to the inadequate implementation of existing legislation or policies, but some cases require legislative reform or the adoption of new measures.
Hate speech
There are concerning levels of discrimination against vulnerable groups in Norway and a lack of research and data in this area. NIM has recommended that the State increase the capacity of relevant authorities to investigate and combat hate speech, particularly on social media and other digital platforms. In 2023 the Government adopted an Action Plan Against Racism and Discrimination, which covers the years 2024-2027.
Violence and abuse
Violence and abuse are serious human rights challenges in Norway, and the problem is particularly acute in Indigenous Sámi communities. States have a positive obligation to prevent, combat and investigate violence and abuse, but research indicates that police and support services do not have sufficient expertise in Sámi language and culture to provide practical and effective protection. NIM has published several reports on violence and abuse, and NIM recommends the development of an evidence based national action plan on violence and abuse in Sámi communities… NIM also recommends that the State review cases where an effective remedy has not been provided to Sámi victims of violence. In 2023 The Norwegian Government developed a new Action Plan on Violence in Close Relationships.
Consultation with Sámi communities
States have an obligation to consult with indigenous peoples in cases of interference in their traditional areas, as well as in development cases. The obligation to consult is intended to ensure the practical implementation of the protection of human rights, and it therefore also follows from human rights obligations. In 2005, consultation procedures were established between the Norwegian Government and the Sámi Parliament. However, this procedure had several weaknesses. This was particularly the case where consultations involve the management of land and natural resources in Sámi areas. The Sámi Act was given a separate chapter on consultations in 2021, which reflects the rules of international law. (Act relating to the Sami Parliament and other Sami legal matters, 24.02.1989 [the Sami Act])
Challenges for the national minorities
There are several human rights challenges affecting Norway’s five national minorities, including issues related to culture and languages, living standards, participation and discrimination. NIM has written a aimed at strengthening the human rights protection of Norway’s national minorities by contributing to increased knowledge, both of the relevant international legal frameworks and of research and literature. In 2022 NIM published a report on attitudes towards Sami and national minorities in Norway. The report presents the results of a quantitative survey with around 2600 respondents about attitudes towards Sami and national minorities. The survey shows that many have little knowledge about and contact with the Sami and national minorities. The survey also shows that there are negative attitudes towards these groups. The survey shows that hate speech and negative attitudes are most often observed towards Jews, Sami, Roma and Romani/Tater.
Read the report here (only in norwegian):
Isolation in prisons
The UN Committee Against Torture, the Council of Europe Anti-Torture Committee and NIM have all raised concerns over the excessive use of solitary confinement and isolation in Norwegian prison and detention facilities. NIM recommends that correctional services ensure that isolation is only used in exceptional circumstances, where strictly necessary, and is not used to alleviate resources and staffing problems. The State must also ensure that nobody remains in isolated police cells for more than 48 hours after an arrest. The State has additional human rights obligations to mentallyill detainees and must adopt effective measures to ensure their health and safety, including through staff capacity building and the design of prison and detention facilities.
The use of coercive measures
NIM and the Civil Ombudsman have also raised concerns over the use of coercive measures in mental health, child welfare and aged care institutions, including the use of electroconvulsive therapy without consent. NIM has recommended that the State initiate a study to understand the scope of the problem, provide human rights training for all relevant staff and develop uniform practice guidelines with clear human rights guarantees.
Organisation and financing of courts
In 2018, NIM submitted the then recently established Courts Commission on the organisation and independence of the Norwegian judicial system. NIM has expressed concern over the insufficient resourcing of Norwegian courts and the significant impact this may have on the right to a fair and public hearing within a reasonable time. We recommend that the Norwegian judicial system is sufficiently funded and organised in a manner that allows for the independent and effective administration of justice. In 2024 NIM submitted a proposal to Parliament for constitutional protection for the courts, in order to safeguard the independence of the courts.
Asylum seeking minors
NIM, the Children’s Ombudsman and several UN treaty bodies have expressed concern over the differential treatment of unaccompanied asylumseeking minors aged 15 to 18. While other children in a similar situation are in the care of Child Welfare Services, asylum seeker children in this age bracket only receive support from asylum reception centres. Research indicates that these centres do not provide the same quality of care and there are higher rates of disappearance, poor mental health and self-harm. NIM recommends that the Norwegian authorities provide unaccompanied asylum-seeking minors over the age of 15 with care facilities that are equal to those provided to all other children.
Challenges for elderly people
In 2023 NIM released a report on the human rights challenges for elderly people in Norway. The Report identifies several areas that require attention from the Norwegian Government, including the processes for approving legal guardianship of elderly people with disabilities or cognitive impairments and the prevention of violence and abuse against the elderly. Other issues that require more research and consideration include the use of coercive measures on elderly people by health care professionals, discrimination in the workplace, digital literacy and universal design, and the accessibility of health care for LGBTIQ elderly people.
Read the report here (only in norwegian):
Privacy, data and surveillance
NIM has played an active role in the ongoing public debate regarding privacy, data and State surveillance. In 2016, NIM produced a proposed legislative changes regarding the mass monitoring of international metadata by the Norwegian Intelligence Service. In both instances, the Norwegian authorities have a human rights obligation to ensure that all surveillance activities are legally authorised and have sufficient safeguards and adequate oversight mechanisms in place. While States have a wide margin of discretion in matters of national security, they must ensure adequate protection against the inherent risk of misuse in mass surveillance systems. In 2023 NIM provided extensive comments to the Ministry of Local Government on the Data Protection Commission’s report, (NOU 2022:11), which addresses topics of importance to a number of human rights issues.
Climatic changes in Norway
The ongoing climate crisis is an acute and systematic threat to human rights globally, and the UN warns that we are heading into uncharted waters. Norway is facing multiple human rights challenges due to climatic change, both with the evolved risk for landslides and floods in many areas, increased occurrence of extreme weather that will affect young children’s psychical and psychological well-being, and rising temperatures which puts the Sámi cultural way of living at risk.
Indigenous People’s rights may be disproportionately impacted by climate change under ICCPR Articles 17 and 27. In 2024 NIM published a report regarding how climate changes affect the rights for the Sámi people. Their Arctic environment is undergoing profound changes, including rising temperatures, permafrost thaw, and extreme weather, which endanger vital Sámi cultural practices such as reindeer herding and fishing, with serious consequences for their health and livelihoods. In Norway, the government has a legal obligation to protect the rights to life, privacy, home, health, and property from environmental threats. NIM therefore recommends that the authorities take decisive action to safeguard the Sámi people’s right to cultural practice during the implementation of the green transition.
Read the report here:
Substance abuse and human rights
There are significant challenges in ensuring the human rights of people with substance addiction in Norway. Many drug users face violations of their rights, especially in interactions with the police and healthcare system. For instance, victims of violence who struggle with substance use often lack adequate access to crisis center services, and somatic healthcare for individuals with co-occurring substance use- and mental health disorders is insufficient, undermining their right to health.
In 2024, NIM published a report based on a qualitative investigation based on interviews with people with substance use disorders, representatives from civil society organizations, healthcare professionals, and law enforcement officers. The findings revealed that many drug users experience stigma and discrimination when accessing public services, including negative attitudes, suspicion, prejudice, offensive remarks, denial of services, and inadequate access to proper medication. NIM emphasizes the need to clarify legal protections against discrimination for substance users.
Read the report here: