– In my view, the apology is important, but it came far too late, says Tabea Willi in the Society for Threatened peoples (STP). She says she is really concerned that the Norwegian government has let time pass without taking action. And that there had to be such large demonstrations before there was action. – It raises serious questions about the Norwegian government’s competence in handling the rights of its indigenous communities, says Willi. The organization works with cases all over the world where indigenous peoples are threatened. They have followed the Fosen case closely. Apologies to the affected families It took 507 days from the judgment in the Supreme Court for the government to apologize to the affected Sami. The judgment established that the concession for development at Fosen is known to be invalid because the development infringes the Sami’s right to practice culture. STP has long been concerned about the passing of time. – We have the feeling that this is a kind of delaying tactic, and that it will eventually lead to a long, expensive and painful new process for the Sami community, says Willi. The apology on Thursday came from the Minister of Oil and Energy and the Minister of Agriculture and Food. Eventually also from Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. Oil and Energy Minister Terje Aasland apologized on behalf of the government that the concession decisions at Fosen entail a violation of human rights. Illustration: Screenshot Fosen reindeer herding district consists of Sør-Fosen Sijte and Nord Fosen siida. The leaders of the two groups were greeted by a new tone when they were welcomed into the ministry. – In these conversations, I apologized on behalf of the government to the reindeer herding districts on Fosen that the concession decisions involve a violation of human rights, said Aasland during the press conference. Will make the investors responsible The Society for Threatened peoples has worked particularly with Swiss investors who are involved in the development at Fosen. – As investors, they have a responsibility to respect human rights. This is clear through the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and is now enshrined in many national and regional laws, says Willi. 129 kilometers of new roads have been established in Storheia and Roan. The development at Fosen in its entirety has been described as the largest industrial investment on Norwegian soil in recent times. Photo: Ingrid Lindgaard Stranden / news In 2020 and 2021, the human rights organization was in mediation with the Swiss power company BKW to get them to commit to taking specific indigenous considerations into their investments. – We support the Sami’s demand to immediately stop the wind turbines, dismantle them and restore the area. BKW refers to the government’s work. BKW comments on the case that the operation of the facilities is not directly affected by the ruling in the Supreme Court and that the wind farms have fed power into the grid unchanged since then. – The responsible Norwegian ministry has confirmed that there is a need for new case management with the aim of finding compensatory measures to ensure that the Sami reindeer herders’ rights are secured. That’s what press manager Markus Ehinger-Camenisch says to news. He points out that this could take several years. – The scientific studies required for the proceedings are being prepared and it is expected to take several years to also be able to take seasonal conditions into account, says Ehinger-Camenisch. Vårt Land writes on Thursday that BKW will consider legal action against Norway if turbines at Fosen are taken down. Clear message to the government Aasland communicated several times on Thursday that it is important to move forward in this matter. Advertisement in the Swiss newspaper Tages-Antzeiger this week. The unrest in Oslo is attracting attention. Facsimile: Screenshot He believes it is not satisfactory that the process has taken so long until now. Aasland also points out that the judgment gives a lot of room for maneuver to find out the measures that may be relevant. The Society for Threatened Peoples has a rather unequivocal message to the government. They expect the views, and especially the Sami’s rights, to be included in the discussion. That they have a seat at the table and a say in the team. – I hope and expect that this apology and acknowledgment of the human rights violation in the Fosen case will change the government’s attitude towards the Sami and their rights. And I hope it is a lesson for other projects in Norway and the Sápmi territory, says Willi.
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International human rights organization hard against the Fosen case – news Trøndelag
