As a means of contributing to an open and constructive nomination and appointments process, organizations, institutions and members of the public in general are being encouraged to put forward candidates for the board of the new institution, which will be inaugurated on 1st July this year. The list of proposed candidates will be published.

Body under the auspices of the Storting

In April 2015 the Storting passed the legislation and orders for Norway’s national human rights institution. This new institution will fall under the auspices of the Storting, but will have an independent and autonomous position in line with the Paris Principles for national institutions.

The institution’s primary responsibility will be to promote and protect human rights as laid down in the Constitution, the Human Rights Act and other applicable legislation, international treaties and international law in general. Among its duties will be to monitor and report on the position of human rights in Norway, to provide advice and guidance to both public and private bodies, and to facilitate cooperation between different groups working in the field of human rights.

The national institution will be headed by a board and a director. The board will have overall responsibility for the finances, operations and specialized activities of the institution, and will ensure that it retains expert professional standards and is run in accordance with the legislation and orders under which it was established.

The director will be responsible for managing the day-to-day running of the institution. The Storting will elect the board, including its chair and vice chair, on the recommendation of the Presidium.

Five board members

The board will consist of five members. The institution’s statutes stipulate that the members must represent different specialist fields, including legal expertise in human rights, and that the board will be well-versed in good governance. One of the board’s members must have specialized knowledge of Sami affairs. There must be at least two women and two men on the board, with members being elected for a term of four years.