Norway is party to the vast majority of international human rights conventions. Human rights are well integrated into the Norwegian legal system, and Norwegian courts follow a general principle that domestic law should be interpreted in accordance with international law. The drafting and consultation procedures for new legislation also include consideration of human rights implications.
The Norwegian Human Rights Institution (NIM) is an independent public body established by the Norwegian Parliament in 2015 to strengthen the implementation of human rights in Norway.
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.
This is an English summary of the report “Forholdet mellom konsultasjoner og interessentdialog” (“The relationship between consultations and stakeholder dialogue”), from the Norwegian Human Rights Institution (NIM).
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 […]
Kai Spurkland has been appointed as the new director of the Norwegian Human Rights Institution (NIM). Spurkland comes from his position as a police prosecutor in the Oslo Police District and as a researcher at the Norwegian Police University College.
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.
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. […]
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 […]
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.