The Fosen case is the subject of several presentations by Sami representatives during the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in New York. Elle Rávdná Näkkäläjärvi, together with other representatives of Sami youth, asked the delegates to listen to their concerns. – Norway will appear as a very diplomatic and good country, but we tell what the situation is, how they treat their own indigenous people, says Näkkäläjärvi to news. Näkkäläjärvi is a member of NSR Nuorat, and was one of those who campaigned against the state’s handling of the Fosen case. She points out that even though Fosen won in court over 550 days ago, no concrete measures have been initiated. – I expect the delegates here to hear what we say about the Fosen case and the crisis we in Sápmi are in. Taking up the Fosen case at the UN for the second time The Norwegian Sami Parliament has also taken up the case in New York, as they did during last year’s forum. President of the Sámi Parliament in Norway, Silje Karine Muotka. Photo: Maien Gaup Sandberg / news – As long as there is no solution to how we can stop the ongoing violation of human rights, it promotes a need to raise the matter again in the UN, says Sámi parliament president Silje Karine Muotka. She emphasizes the importance of the indigenous peoples’ forum as one of the largest meetings organized for indigenous peoples, where all UN member states can also participate. – We will work to ensure that this does not happen to other indigenous peoples, and also that Norway will have to follow the judgment from the Supreme Court and give a guarantee that this will never happen again. – The state does not follow the legal system Ánde Somby, professor at UiT’s law faculty, believes the case is special. – The big question is whether there is so much lobbying and so much money that the state therefore does not follow the legal system as a state would normally do, he muses. On Thursday, the Faculty of Law presented the case in a side event at the UN headquarters in New York. IN THE HEADQUARTERS: Professor Ánde Somby inside the UN headquarters in New York. Photo: Maien Gaup Sandberg / news Somby also notes that this could go beyond Norway’s reputation as a state that respects legal systems and human rights. – It will be like a star falling from the sky. – For the Sami, it means that they cannot trust the legal system, and when it means that for the Sami, then every person in Norway must begin to doubt whether you can trust provisions made in the legal system. It is a very serious situation, emphasizes the professor. Working to find solutions State Secretary in the Ministry of Oil and Energy Elisabeth Sæther understands the Sámi Parliament’s concern. – I understand that the Sámi Parliament will raise the matter again. Having said that, we have been working ever since the verdict in the Supreme Court to find solutions in this case and immediately contacted the parties, says Sæther. State Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy, Elisabeth Sæther. Photo: Naina Helen Jåma / NTB / Kommunikasjon Their main focus is to arrive at a solution, she explains. “Unfortunately, we are still working on setting up an investigation program that gives us the necessary knowledge to be able to make new decisions that can secure the reindeer herder’s rights on Fosen. Illuminated internationally Wasiq Silan, representative of the Tayal people in Taiwan, has been given a new image of Norway under UNPFII. – I have always had a very positive image of Norway and the Norwegian state, but after hearing about the Fosen case today, I realized that it is not perfect, it is not a flawless state, she says. Wasiq Silan of the Tayal people of Taiwan. Photo: Privat Silan emphasizes that there are inequalities between different societies, and sometimes the social welfare state forgets this inequality in the name of universalism. She believes that the Nordic welfare state, including the Norwegian state, has a blind spot when it comes to seeing people from certain groups, such as indigenous people, and that treating everyone the same will not lead to equality. – It is a great reminder for states to make an effort to ensure that marginalized groups, such as indigenous peoples, are not neglected. Still has hope Despite the lack of concrete measures, Elle Rávdná Näkkäläjärvi still has faith that a solution can be found. – It was of course a great gain for us that the media around the world started writing about the case and I expect concrete actions, and I also hope that a solution will be found. YOUNG SAMI: Sami youth at the UN permanent forum for indigenous issues. Photo: Maien Gaup Sandberg / news She believes that UNPFII is an important meeting place for indigenous people and an arena for raising important issues. – The motivation was greatly strengthened during the campaign, and when we see how much support we have received, not only in Sápmi, not only in Norway, but all over the world. It also helps to come here and meet other indigenous people and other indigenous youth.
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Norway is singled out at the UN for violating the human rights of Sami people in Fosen – news Sápmi
