– We are adamant that the turbines must be demolished and the land returned, says activist Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen to news. – It is because there are no mitigating measures to ensure that the violation of human rights ceases. The Supreme Court has also ruled that. On Monday, Hætta and other activists followed closely the statement Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland gave to the Storting. They are disappointed. Aasland promised neither to demolish the wind turbines nor any other concrete measures. – Are you ready to campaign again? – We are. We have said that from the start, says Elle Nystad, the leader of NSR-N, the youth committee of the National Confederation of Norwegian Samirs. – If it takes much longer, we are ready to campaign again because we cannot wait another 500 days, says Nystad. They see no other option than to demolish the wind turbines immediately. – For us, it is important not to give the government more time. They should never have been built, says Hætta. – It is important to emphasize how acute the Sami’s crisis of confidence in the Norwegian state is. Human rights violations should end as soon as possible. Elle Nystad and Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen at the Storting. Photo: Kai Rune Kvitstein / news The Supreme Court does not require demolition – The Government’s message is clear and unambiguous. We will follow up the Supreme Court’s judgment so that the rights of the reindeer herders on Fosen are safeguarded, says Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland. He says he has apologized to the reindeer herders at Fosen. Aasland believes the judgment from the Supreme Court does not make it clear that the wind turbines must be demolished, as the reindeer herders and activists demand. – The judgment also does not mean that the concessions for the wind power plants at Storheia and Roan have lapsed. Until new decisions come into place, the wind power plants are operated in accordance with the original licences. The wind power companies are therefore not doing anything illegal. Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland informed the Storting on Monday about the Fosen case. Photo: Fredrik Varfjell / NTB The Minister of Oil and Energy told the Storting that energy needs were the background for the Fosen development, and said that they have always tried to take into account the interests and needs of the reindeer herders. – Now we have to put in place an investigation program that shows what needs to be investigated in more detail, and get the investigations carried out as quickly as possible. Aasland says he will not rule out any options. Demonstrations put the Fosen case on the agenda It was angry activists who occupied the government quarters on 23 February. It did not succeed until the Prime Minister admitted on 3 March that a human rights violation is taking place. The activists demand that the windmills at Fosen be demolished. It was in October 2021 that the Supreme Court ruled that the construction of the wind turbines at Fosen was a violation of human rights towards the reindeer herders in the area. When 500 days had passed, the demonstrations started. For nine days, the protesters blocked the entrance to one ministry after another. Ella Marie Hætta Isaksen and other protesters closed the entrance to the Ministry of Oil and Energy on 28 February. Photo: Dan Robert Larsen / news Aasland: – Aasland does not train. He believes it is not the state’s fault that the rights of the reindeer herders were violated when permission was given to build the wind turbines. – It is knowledge and assessments of the wind power plants’ actual effects on reindeer husbandry that have come to light after the time of the decision that has led the Supreme Court to come to a different conclusion. He points out that it is a matter of political dilemmas. There is talk of having acceptable electricity prices, new green energy, reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases, nature and the environment and taking into account the rights of indigenous people. It has been 16 months since the Supreme Court ruled that the wind turbine at Fosen was a violation of human rights. Aasland emphasizes that the government does not train the matter. Former oil and energy minister Marte Mjøs Persen visited Fosen in November 2021, a month after the Sami had won in the Supreme Court. Photo: Ole Martin Wold / NTB Stated Sámi Parliament president – Aasland’s explanation shows, in my opinion, the great need for an independent investigation of the whole case, says Sámi Parliament President Silje Karine Muotka. Sami Parliament President Silje Karine Muotka wants the government to invite her to the Storting for a separate statement. – I think that every story has two sides. The Storting will only get to know the minister’s side. But we are a popularly elected body from which the Storting should receive information. The Sámi Parliament does not have the right to make proposals, but Muotka refers to the Green Party’s proposal from 3 March. Last week, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre spoke from the lectern of the Sami Parliament. He therefore did not come up with any solution in the Fosen case, but expressed concern about the incitement against the Sami. Sámi Parliament President Silje Karine Muotka and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in the Sámi Parliament on 9 March. Photo: Inga Máret Solberg Åhrén / news The President of the Sami Parliament believes it is reasonable that the opportunity to speak applies both ways. – A Sámi Parliament president has never been allowed to speak in the Storting. Then I think it’s time for it now, says Muotka. The presidency of the Storting has decided that the President of the Sami Parliament will not be allowed to speak from the floor of the Storting in connection with the Fosen case, writes NTB. – It speaks for itself and fits in well with matters where those in power did not want to listen to the Sami voice in this matter, says Muotka. No support from supporting parties – It is not like the government can withdraw from this Supreme Court judgement. It is resoundingly clear. Human rights violations are taking place at Fosen every single day, says Lars Haltbrekken, spokesman for energy policy in SV, to news. The government’s support party in the Storting is in no way impressed by Aasland’s explanation. They see no proposals for solutions in what was presented. – Absolutely not. And it is absolutely incredible that the government has not taken a step further and is unable to present a plan for how to end violations of human rights, says Haltbrekken. -If all the turbines are demolished, will it lead to a dramatic need for power? – We need renewable energy but we cannot violate human rights. The Conservative Party primarily believes that the government has taken far too long. – The consequences of the Fosen judgment not being followed up quickly enough were raised by the Conservative Party in an interpellation as early as January this year. It is now the government’s responsibility to find good solutions that safeguard the Sami’s right to cultural practice, says Høyres Bård Ludvig Thorheim.
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Activists are ready to campaign again in the Fosen case – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
