Speaking on behalf of both organizations at the adoption of Norway’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR)*, Leon Langdon, Humanist International’s Advocacy Officer, praised Norway’s strong human rights record but criticized its reluctance to join the growing number of countries that have ratified the Optional Protocol to the ICESCR.
The Optional Protocol, which entered into force in 2013, provides individuals with the ability to seek redress through an international human rights body when their economic, social, and cultural rights are violated. At the time of writing, the Optional Protocol has been signed by over 50 countries.
The statement noted that by refusing to sign, Norway not only undermines the rights of its own people but also weakens international human rights protections by prioritizing national concerns over global legal standards. The organizations further pointed out that Norway continues to rely on a nearly decade-old White Paper to justify its position, despite the Optional Protocol’s vital role in ensuring accountability and access to justice.
The statement argued that the concerns that the Norwegian government cited over the uncertainty of individual complaints, do not justify withholding a mechanism designed to protect the fundamental rights of all citizens.
*The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a UN process which involves a periodic review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States, by each other. It is a unique human rights mechanism in so far as it addresses all countries and all human rights. The Working Group on the UPR, which is composed of the Human Rights Council’s 47 Member States and chaired by the Human Rights Council President, conducts country reviews. Humanists International supports its members in engagement with the process.
Photo by Mikita Karasiou on Unsplash
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