Petter Wille
Post on 24-Feb-2016
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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 importantpart of an individual’s life and a fundamental human right. Freedomof religion or belief means that the state has an obligation to safeguardthis right. Protection and promotion of human rights are a centralelement 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?id=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
in cooperation with the Ministry and other embassieseasures,
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