Norway and the Human Rights Council

 

Morten Høglund, Progress Party Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs, is sceptical about the decision by the Norwegian government to apply for membership in the controversial UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

 

In a new white paper on Norwegian foreign policy ambitions, the government addresses the important issues of human rights and freedom of speech. Yet at the same time, the government insists on applying for membership in the controversial Human Rights Council.

 

“Basic human rights are under pressure in organisations such as the Human Rights Council”, says Høglund. “I challenge the government to clarify how it envisages its role as both a member of the UNHRC and a strong defender of human rights”.