Transcript Norway will
Freedom of religion or belief on the agenda-Introduction to the Norwegian MFA Minority project Petter Wille The right to choose and practice a religion or a belief is an important part of an individual’s life and a fundamental human right. Freedom of religion or belief means that the state has an obligation to safeguard this right. Protection and promotion of human rights are a central element of Norway’s foreign policy. Universal Declaration of Human Rights International human rights conventions of particular importance for religious minorities. • The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights • The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights • The Convention on the Rights of the Child • The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. http://www.regjeringen.no/nb/dep/ud/tema/ menneskerettigheter/oversikt_veiledere.html?i d=737663 Norway will: • engage to ensure that religious minorities are not discriminated against on the grounds of their beliefs, • engage to ensure that religious minorities’ rights are safeguarded in legislation and practice, • promote freedom of religion or belief as an important human right and work for peaceful coexistence founded on tolerance, respect and equality, • work to move religious minorities’ rights higher up the international agenda. • Establish contact with civil society and alternative groups • Raise issues with the authorities related to the human rights situation of religious minorities, • Call attention to areas where legal protection is lacking, and cases of discrimination • Establish contacts with religious communities in order to identify problems that could be followed up i.a. through UN mechanisms