The setting up of the National Institution for Human Rights was formally sanctioned by the Storting in April this year. The Storting has now followed this up by electing the institution’s board of governors.

Cecilie Østensen Berglund, presiding judge at Borgarting Court of Appeal, is the new chair, Knut Vollebæk is the deputy chair, while Gro Dikkanen, Jan E. Helgesen and Anne-Sofie Syvertsen are the other board members.

Visible and vigorous

Berglund had no hesitation in accepting the offer to take on the responsibility of chair of the board. With her longstanding interest in the field of human rights, she is very excited by the prospect of being able to shape a new organization.

“I’m delighted that a new national institution for human rights is now in place. This is such an important initiative for the promotion and protection of human rights, and I’m really looking forward to getting started. My wish as chair of the board is to help establish a visible and vigorous national institution. This will be one of my priorities when the board adopts its overall strategy,” she says.

It was President of the Storting Olemic Thommessen who in January 2014 put forward a Private Member’s Bill to set up a new national institution for human rights directly under the auspices of the Storting.

“Olemic Thommessen’s close involvement and engagement in this work has been an inspiration,” Berglund added.

Monitor – report – advise

The primary objective of the institution will be to promote and protect human rights in accordance with the Constitution, the Human Rights Act and other legislation, international treaties and international law. Among the institution’s responsibilities will be to monitor and report on the position of human rights in Norway, to give advice to bodies in the public and private sector, and to facilitate collaboration between different groups working in the field of human rights.

Berglund has great faith in the institution’s ability to carry out its responsibilities to the highest of standards.

“The changes now implemented, whereby the national institution has been placed directly under the Storting, will make it much easier for the institution to carry out the responsibilities recently assigned to it in the legislation on the national institution. I believe that this will raise the institution’s profile, making it more distinct and proactive. It will be natural for the institution to be involved in the public debate,” she says.

From B to A

Due to its perceived lack of independence, Norway’s previous national institution for human rights was only given B – or observer – status by the accreditation committee affiliated to the Office of the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights. This status will now be changed.

“In general, human rights are well looked after in this country. Yet there is still the need for an independent institution with the capacity to view the broader perspective and to take the initiative in arenas that are not covered by other groups and bodies. In the future it will be important for the national institution to work constructively with the many existing and established bodies in this field,” Berglund says.

“In my view, it’s vital that Norway has an institution with A status international recognition in human rights. In other words, an institution that is acknowledged for the quality and autonomy necessary to ensure that human rights are promoted and reinforced,” she continues.

President of the Storting Olemic Thommessen says that he has great confidence in the board’s capacity to establish itself in such a way as to make a solid contribution for the good of human rights.

“I am delighted that the Storting has supported the Presidium’s recommendations for the National Institution for Human Rights’ board of governors. We have here five individuals who are extremely well suited to safeguard the overall objectives of the institution. They have great professional expertise, broad experience and extensive knowledge of a variety of human rights questions, both nationally and internationally. They are also well versed in good governance and have served on a range of different boards,” he says.

The director of the new institution will be appointed by the Storting in the autumn. The position is due to be advertised shortly.

“I am hoping for an outgoing person with an interest in human rights; someone who is both self-sufficient and a team player,” says Berglund.

As part of the process, the Presidium invited the public to nominate candidates for the board of governors. More than a hundred proposals came in. All five members of the new board were on this list.