FRP leader Sylvi Listhaug says Norway must consider withdrawing from international conventions for the rights of indigenous peoples. – If international obligations prevent us from following the principle of equality, we must revise, and if necessary withdraw, from the conventions that prevent us, said Listhaug at the Progress Party’s national board meeting in Gardermoen today. The background is the Supreme Court judgment from October 2021. In it, it is determined that the wind power plants at Fosen violate the right of the Sami reindeer herders to exercise culture, according to Article 27 of the UN Convention on Civil and Political Rights. – Equality before the law Listhaug believes that it must be assessed whether certain international conventions in practice give certain ethnic groups better rights. – We cannot have it so that international conventions override one of the most important constitutional principles we have: equality before the law. She says that the FRP is against laws that give better rights to certain groups based on their ethnic origin, and that it is entirely possible to safeguard Sami culture without having laws that treat ethnic groups differently. – You cannot give a group the right of veto in practice. Overall, it is about Norway’s security, says Listhaug. In particular, she points out that the population and birth rates in Northern Norway are low. She believes that has never been more important than now, after our neighboring country, Russia, has gone to war against Ukraine. – The security policy situation has changed dramatically. If it is to be attractive to live in Northern Norway, we must develop the region further. We cannot allow a part of the population to run over the rest and turn the country into a museum. At the same time, Listhaug emphasizes that the party supports that the Supreme Court judgment in the case of the wind power plant at Fosen must be followed up. – It is the government’s responsibility to follow up on the verdict, says Listhaug. – It is entirely possible to safeguard Sami culture without having laws that treat ethnic groups differently, says Sylvi Listhaug. Believes Frp is introducing a collective punishment The President of the Sami Parliament Silje Karine Muotka believes the message from Listhaug implies a weakening of the rights of all citizens in the country. She explains that the convention regulates, among other things, freedom of expression, freedom of choice and human rights. – It is very serious and alarming. The FRP is presenting here a retrograde policy, and they are introducing a collective punishment, Muotka believes. – I would like to say that I am shocked, but nothing shocks me from that point of view anymore, she adds. Muotka sees this as a direct reaction to Sami youth actions and demonstrations for reindeer husbandry. – It is an overreaction that is serious and for which I do not think there is any basis. She believes there is no veto for the reindeer husbandry industry. – It is a vulnerable industry that we need to work to safeguard, she says. – I would like to say that I am shocked, but nothing shocks me from that point of view anymore, says the President of the Sami Parliament Silje Karine Muotka about the Frp’s proposal. Photo: finnmarksløpet, alta, the president of the Sámi parliament – Hårreisende’s view of the Sami Leader of the Norwegian Sami National Confederation’s youth party, Elle Margget Nystad, tells news that the conventions on the rights of indigenous people preserve Sami culture. – Without the conventions, it would have been difficult, because there are many other interests, such as industry, that threaten Sami culture. Nystad also reacts to Listhaug saying that she wants to preserve Norwegian nature: – If there is anyone who knows how to take care of nature, it is the Sami. Nystad believes the FRP promotes a “hair-raising” view of the Sami. – This says a lot about how the FRP views the Sami. They have an image of the Sámi as someone who stops development, when what we are really doing is defending nature and people and animals. Leader of NSR Nuorat, Elle Margget Nystad, believes that Frp’s proposal about equality before the law only justifies overriding the Sami’s interests. Photo: Tom Balgaard / Tom Balgaard/news Listhaug: – Distances Listhaug says she does not recognize the characterization from Nystad. – We must be able to discuss this topic without being accused of having a hair-raising view of the Sami. I strongly distance myself from such an accusation, says the Frp leader. – On the contrary, I was clear in my speech that I have great respect for the Sami culture and that we must take care of it. I have had the pleasure of getting to know the reindeer herding industry and Sami culture when I was a minister. This is not about us being negative towards the Sami population, but that we want equality before the law regardless of ethnic background and not have special rights for any groups. Leader of the Norwegian Reindriftsamers National Association Inge Even Danielsen. Photo: Dan Robert Larsen / news – An ugly attack Leader of the Norwegian Reindriftsamers National Association Inge Even Danielsen is also disappointed by the FRP leader’s statements from the podium on Saturday. – It is an ugly attack. She deliberately builds up under the illusion that reindeer herding has too much power and is a threat to settlement and development, he says to VG. Danielsen says the reindeer herding industry has a legitimate right to defend its interests, but he denies that they have any kind of veto power or power to stop something.
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– FRP introduces a collective punishment – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
