A/HRC/42/2
insight into their situation. The Government would present a white paper on national
minorities in 2020.
366. Parliament has appointed a truth and reconciliation commission to examine a former
assimilation policy and the injustices perpetrated against the Sami and Kven/Norwegian
Finns. The preparatory work was carried out in close cooperation with organisations of
Sámediggi and Kven/Norwegian Finn. The commission would submit its report to Parliament
in 2022.
367. The delegation reaffirmed the commitment of Norway to implement all the
recommendations accepted by the Government before its fourth universal periodic review in
2024. The delegation expressed its gratitude to all Member States that contributed to the
review of Norway in May 2019 as well as the Norwegian National Human Rights Institution,
the equality and anti-discrimination ombudsman and civil society representatives for their
constructive contributions prior to the review.
2.
General comments made by the national human rights institution of the State under
review
368. The Norwegian National Human Rights Institution (by video message) noted with
regret that Norway did not accept a recommendation to set up a mechanism tasked with
mapping, assessing and coordinating measures for implementing recommendations from
international human rights monitoring mechanisms, and a recommendation to end the
practice of differential treatment between unaccompanied asylum seekers from 15 to 18 years
old and those under 15 years of age. It welcomed that the Government had accepted
recommendations on several key issues such as hate speech, hate crimes and discrimination
as well as violence and abuse. The Norwegian National Human Rights Institution also
welcomed that Norway had accepted a recommendation to evaluate the effects of solitary
confinement in prisons with a view to reducing it and to use alternative measures whenever
possible.
3.
Views expressed by Member and observer States of the Council on the outcome of the
review
369. During the adoption of the outcome of the review of Norway, 13 delegations made
statements.**
370. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela noted with appreciation that, due to the
implementation of an integration policy by Norway, migrants had managed to find
employment, have access to education and participate in social life of the country. It
welcomed the efforts of Norway to tackle prejudices and hate crime against minorities. It
thanked Norway for its diplomatic efforts to promote negotiations and political dialogue
between the Government and the opposition of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in view
to finding a solution to the current crisis in the country.
371. Afghanistan noted with appreciation that Norway had accepted most of
recommendations, including three recommendations put forward by Afghanistan, and in
particular, a recommendation to combat all forms of discrimination, hate speech, xenophobia
and islamophobia. It welcomed the commitment of Norway to give a special attention to the
most vulnerable groups among migrants and asylum-seekers and to ensure the right of
refugees to family reunification. It commended Norway for its efforts to promote and protect
human rights.
** The statements of the delegations that were unable to deliver them owing to time constraints which
were made available are posted on the extranet of the Human Rights Council, at
https://extranet.ohchr.org/sites/hrc/HRCSessions/RegularSessions/42Session/Pages/default.aspx
63
Select target paragraph3
Connect to a paragraph
Connect to an entity
Disable highlights
Add to table of contents