Letters

Call for input on “Autonomy, dignity & human rights in situations of dependency in older age” by the Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons

NIM has today responded to a request from the UN Independent Expert on the enjoyment of all human rights by older persons, who has invited input for the report he will present to the UN General Assembly in autumn 2026. The submission focuses on the situation of older persons living in institutions and others who depend on assistance in their daily lives. It addresses human rights issues affecting autonomy, dignity, participation, equality and recognition, both in law and in society.

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Submission to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child regarding the Draft General Comment No. 27 on children’s right to access to justice and to an effective remedy

NIM has submitted input to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child regarding Draft General Comment No. 27 on children’s right to access justice and effective remedies. NIM welcomes the draft and emphasizes the importance of anchoring the right to an effective remedy in the Convention on the Rights of the Child, adjusting statutes of limitations for cases involving children, and focusing on children’s right to self-determination and adequate representation in legal systems. NIM urges the Committee to clarify states’ obligations to appoint a guardian ad litem when parents fail to act in the child’s best interest. Additionally, clearer guidelines are recommended for children’s direct access to justice without parental consent, as well as harmonizing age limits for self-determination with children’s rights in other contexts.

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EFTA-domstolen i Luxembourg. Foto: EFTA-domstolen.
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New EFTA Court judgment: Combustion emissions must be assessed and unlawful production licences must be remedied

On 21 May 2025, the EFTA Court issued a new advisory opinion in Case E-18/24. The Court clarified that, under the EU’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Directive (2011/92/EU), greenhouse gas emissions from the subsequent combustion of oil and gas must be assessed before a decision is made on extraction. The decision sets out clear obligations for the Norwegian authorities and courts under EEA law, which are also relevant to Norway’s human rights obligations with respect to climate change.

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Recommendations in the Annual Report to Parliament for 2024

Each year, the Norwegian Human Rights Institution (NIM) focuses on some selected topics and issues that are highlighted in the Annual Report. These recommendations presented in the Annual Report to Parliament are selected based on certain criteria in conformity with the Act relating to the Norwegian Human Rights Institution. NIM works on a broad range […]

Letters

Written contribution to the CESCR draft General Comment

NIM has submitted input to the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The committee is to develop a general comment on the relationship between the environment and sustainable development. NIM emphasizes the need to clarify states’ environmental responsibilities, protect vulnerable groups and future generations, and strengthen the rights of indigenous peoples.

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Exploring human rights awareness, attitudes and perception in scandinavia
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Exploring human rights awareness, attitudes and perception in scandinavia

This report explores how people in the Scandinavian countries perceive and understand human rights issues, highlighting differences and similarities in awareness and opinions. It examines public views on the relevance of human rights and assesses which rights are seen as most at risk, along with trust in the public institutions mandated to protect these rights. […]

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Legal analysis

The Norwegian climate change framework in light of Article 8 of the ECHR

In a historic ruling earlier this year, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) concluded that Switzerland violated human rights by not reducing enough emissions. To advise the authorities on the follow-up to the ruling, NIM has examined what it could mean for Norway. The conclusion is that Norwegian climate change framework is unlikely to […]

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The GANHRI logo, a blue hand that also depicts a dove in flight, in blue on a pink background.
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New global working group on indigenous rights

NIM has recently initiated the establishment of a working group on indigenous rights as part of our collaboration with GANHRI. This week, NIM and GANHRI held the first meeting of the network. In total, over 20 institutions from all continents participated.