Human Rights for All

What?

Norwegian support aims to contribute to targeted efforts to promote human rights and fundamental democratic principles and institutions at the national level, in collaboration with national, regional and global actors. These efforts are intended to help strengthen international systems in order to promote and protect human rights, democracy and the rule of law, and to improve compliance with international human rights obligations in developing countries. This includes access to legal protection for all and the building of well-functioning, inclusive and accountable  institutions at all levels.    

 Support for human rights defenders has been a long-standing priority in Norwegian foreign and development policy. Human rights defenders are individuals or groups who work to promote human rights through peaceful means. This includes both civil and political rights, as well as economic, social, and cultural rights. Human rights defenders are an essential component of a vibrant civil society and contribute to inclusive, peaceful and democratic societies.

 The rights to freedom of expression and unrestricted access to information are basic human rights and essential to a thriving democracy in which all citizens can freely exchange their opinions and ideas. Norwegian development cooperation therefore supports efforts to promote freedom of expression and a free media, and to protect journalists, writers and other  voices at risk. This includes promoting and protecting cultural rights and unrestricted artistic expression. Freedom of expression is a goal in itself, but it is also a prerequisite for achieving the goals set out in the Sustainable Development  Agenda.

Freedom of religion or belief entails the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. It protects the individual, not ideologies or religions, and non-discrimination and freedom from coercion and harmful practices are central to this right. The right to freedom of religion or belief must be viewed in close context with other human rights and plays a significant role in Norway’s efforts to realise the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This includes efforts against restrictions on freedom of religion or belief  and promoting the human rights of religious and belief minorities.

A country is not truly free and democratic unless the basic human rights of its citizens, to be who they are, are safeguarded. As a result, Norwegian development cooperation includes targeted efforts to combat the discrimination and persecution of sexual and gender minorities. It is important to safeguard the living conditions and human rights of LGBTIQ+ in development cooperation.  The capacity and space of civil society organisations to promote inclusion and human rights for LGBTIQ+  people must be strengthened.

Approximately 15 percent of the world’s population live with a disability. Norway aims to be a driving force behind the inclusion of human rights for persons with disabilities in international development cooperation. These efforts should promote equality for all and reduce disparities, and contribute to the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). They encompass work designed to bring about both systemic change and changes at the local level.

Norwegian development cooperation must also contribute to efforts to strengthen labour rights through measures that promote the implementation of international labour standards, an equal working life, tripartite cooperation and the protection of trade union representatives.

Why?

The United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and associated conventions came into being in the wake of two world wars in which millions of people died. The current international human rights framework thus limits what a state power can do to its own population and defines what obligations the state should have with respect to its citizens.

The current framework conditions for international efforts relating to human rights and democracy are challenging. A growing number of people are living under authoritarian regimes, critical voices and resistance are being eliminated, and basic human rights are not being respected. In many countries, democratic institutions and processes are being undermined, and polarisation, misinformation and propaganda contribute to this negative development.. However, these negative trends can be challenged and countered through targeted efforts at both the national level and through international systems. Competence can be developed, capacity can be strengthened, and protection can be provided to those involved in human rights work.

How/where?

Efforts to strengthen human rights and democracy take place in many regions throughout the world and in collaboration with a wide range of actors at a global, regional and national level. Norad supports research institutions, multilateral actors and Norwegian and international civil society organisations and others who work closely with national and local partners. These efforts include normative work relating to the UN system, strengthening relevant institutions at the national level, capacity building, research, protection of human rights defenders, and promoting the human rights of groups in vulnerable situations.

Contact

For further information, please contact the Section for Human Rights and Civil Society