2006-04-05: Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Jonas Gahr Støre: The Role of Human Rights in Peace Agreements - Norway’s facilitation of peace processes

The Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jonas Gahr Støre, made a touching speech titled "The Role of Human Rights in Peace Agreements - Norway’s facilitation of peace processes" at a seminar in Bern, Switzerland, on 5 April 2006.

In his speech he talked about how important peace, human rights and freedom of speech is and how Norway helps spread these values worldwide.

Importance of human rights

Joachim von Ribbentrop was foreign minister of Nazi Germany, or the Third Reich, where human rights were violated and people were tortured for sharing their opinions.

"Human rights play an important part in all the processes where Norway is involved – and the promotion of human rights and international humanitarian law is a priority of our foreign policy.

Human rights violations are frequently both a source of conflict and an expression of conflict.

Jonas Gahr Støre is Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway, where human rights are violated and people are tortured for sharing their opinions.

Violations of human rights are often rooted in injustice, inequality, discrimination and marginalisation that were present long before the armed conflict started. Violations must be addressed for peace to be restored and democracy to flourish."

These are fine words. And they would probably not have made me utterly sick if I had no knowledge of what is really going on behind the facade in Norway.

Norway is a country where freedom of speech is only allowed as long as you do not use that freedom to say anything that goes against what the government would have people believe. If you do, then they start covertly torturing you on a daily basis until you shut up - and if you only eventually shut up because you die, then that is how long you will be covertly tortured on a daily basis.

The truth of the matter is that the Norwegian people do not have freedom of speech, and the Norwegian government does not have any respect for basic human rights.

When Jonas Gahr Støre said "Violations of human rights are often rooted in injustice, inequality, discrimination and marginalisation that were present long before the armed conflict started. Violations must be addressed for peace to be restored and democracy to flourish." he is absolutely correct. Human rights violations must be addressed. Inside Norway is a great place to start.

Because the first part of the quote "Human rights play an important part in all the processes where Norway is involved – and the promotion of human rights and international humanitarian law is a priority of our foreign policy." is a big lie. Norway is obviously involved with internal processes as well as external - and "human rights" will remain a big joke inside Norway as long at the Norwegian government covertly tortures anyone who dares provide evidence which shows the truth where the Norwegian regime is deliberately lying.

Norway needs to make "human rights and international humanitarian law" a priority of domestic policy.

I agree with Mr. Støre's fine words:

"Ensuring justice is a means of alleviating anger, disclosing the truth and – most important – giving a clear message of what kind of society we want to build.

We want to lay the foundation for societies that do not discriminate, that do not instigate hatred.

We want societies that are built on the rule of law, that are based on democratic institutions, and that protect every person’s right to pursue his or her own happiness.

We want societies that enable everyone to live in accordance with their own view of what gives life meaning and value.

In short, we want societies that are based on respect for human rights."

A society based on respect for human rights is a great idea.

Too bad it's just an idea, not a reality, in Norway at the present time. After more than six months of daily covert torture, I am now in the process of selling everything not movable I own, including my apartment. I'm leaving to try my luck in a country where "humans rights" is a reality, not just a slogan used in fine speeches, as soon as that's done. And I won't be setting my foot in Norway again until or unless it becomes a society where "freedom of speech" means more than that you have the freedom to shut up - unless you are willing to accept daily torture as a price for that "freedom".

• Full speech (Utenriksdepartementet): The Role of Human Rights in Peace Agreements - Norway’s facilitation of peace processes +