International parliamentary Platform for Freedom of Religion of Belief
Oslo, 7. November 2014
Statement by Marit Nybakk, first Vice President of the Norwegian Parliament
Excellencies. Distinguished colleges and guests.
It is indeed an honour and a pleasure for me to welcome such a distinguished group to the Norwegian
Parliament and to this very important conference on religious freedom. I understand from the opening
remarks of my college, Mr. Abid Raja, that you will work to start a global movement, a global
campaign among parliamentarians. A focus upon what parliamentarians can do, how we can all be
agents for change.
It is very important that we as parliamentarians work to lift religious freedom higher on the political
agenda. We can unite in order to protect the millions of people who suffer from discrimination,
oppression and persecution because of their religious belief.
As Mr. Raja just said:
You are here to confirm Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “Everyone has the
right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, this right includes freedom to change his religion
or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest
his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”
Within this context – it is an extra pleasure to welcome you in 2014 in Norway – when we are
celebrating 200 years of the Norwegian constitution – and 200 years of our Parliament.
Norway has Europe’s oldest and the world’s second oldest, written constitution, still in use. I believe
this is something we can and should be proud of. It was the basis of the development into a modern
democracy and a modern welfare state.
When it was adopted 17th of May 1814 and confirmed by Parliament 4th November, it was one of the
most modern constitutions ever made. And extremely radical for its time.
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The ideas and thoughts of the French and American revolutions and constitutions, along with the
Human Rights Declaration of 1789 were major inspirations for those who initially wrote the
document.
The constitution led to a complete change of the political system in Norway: From being submitted to
an absolute monarchy (kings regarded themselves as rulers by the grace of God) into a constitutional
monarchy, with a constitution, with a parliament.
We were at the time a part of Denmark. Denmark was “on the wrong side” in the Napoleon wars.
Those who won the war decided that Norway should be given to the Swedish king.
With the constitution, with the parliament, with the high court, we ended up in late 1814 as an equal
part in a union with Sweden. And in 1905 Sweden and Norway separated.
And by the way: since 1814 there has not been war between the Nordic countries.
I said the constitution was very radical for its time:
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Power should go out from the people
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Human rights
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Montesqieu’s principle of separation of power between Parliament, the king (Government)
and the high court
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Nobility was abolished, etc., etc.
No wonder 1814 has been called the year of miracles.
Even if the constitution of 1814 was very radical and ahead of its time, there are many things which
later have been amended.
Examples:
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The women were finally allowed to vote in 1913
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Today we should remember that Jews were not allowed to enter the kingdom of Norway
until 1851- the order of Jesuits one century later!
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The 1814 Constitution, has been amended many times in the past 200 years, adjusting it to the
development of our society. But the basis is still there. The main paragraphs.
I believe that for a Constitution to preserve its legitimacy, it needs to be both firm and flexible – and
be a part of an important political bases for its time.
Firm in order to protect people from the arbitrary use of power, however flexible enough to ensure that
it keeps up with societal development.
In short, our Constitution is a legally binding social contract. It defines the rules, regulations, duties
and rights between the people of the nation and those set to rule the people. Including human rights.
An important constitutional reform took place earlier this year: Norway included several human rights
into its Constitution. Several political and civil rights were unanimously adopted for formal inclusion
in the constitution, including equality before the law, the right to a fair trial, and prohibitions against
the death penalty, torture and inhumane treatment.
Other key rights added to the constitution were freedom to assemble, children’s right to be respected
and be heard, and that everyone has the right to education, along with a prohibition against arbitrary
detention.
It has been a great honour to be a part of that major human rights reform. And I am proud of what we
have achieved. But it is vital that we are aware of any future challenges and developments, and I hope
that our Constitution now becomes more dynamic than is has been before.
Earlier this year the President of Parliament submitted a proposal to Parliament to establish a new
national human rights institution organised under the Parliament.
Norway was not without such an institution prior to the proposal, but the institution was struggling to
be in compliance with the Paris principles.
The new institution to be established will strengthen coordination and systematisation of human rights
in Norway and will be a centre of expertise to assist both government and civil society in human rights
issues. The new national human rights institution will have an independent monitoring role in how the
Norwegian state complies with its international human rights obligations.
And I am happy to add that the proposal was unanimously, adopted by Parliament.
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The Norwegian identity in 2014 is based on diversity. Most of the world’s religions can be found here.
New groups and new members of our society participate in defining who we are.
But this is also fragile.
The tragic events of 22. July 2011 struck us hard.
But we have learned one important lesson. A healthy democracy draws strength from tolerance and
mutual respect and trust. Based on the basic rights of its citizens.
Therefore our response was more democracy, more divensity, more human rights, more openness:
Religious and political tolerance, respect for what your nabour is and believe in.
Right now we are shocked by the news from Iraq and Syria. With the bloodshed and brutality of the
IS/ISIL. People are tortured and murdered because of their religion or ethnicity. The Kurdish religious
group “the Yezidies” were slaughted. Religious persecution is often found in fragile states and in
countries with political instability or with a theocratic government.
Dear colleges: Back to article 18: “Freedom of religion or belief is a unique human right, in that to be
fully enjoyed other incorporated rights must also be respected, such as freedom of expression,
assembly, education and movement”.
Good luck with your conference. Have a nice stay in Oslo.
And remember: Parliamentarians can make a difference!
We do make a difference!
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