An act on the incorporation of core human rights conventions into Norwegian law was adopted in May last year. We have also adopted a National Plan of Action for Human Rights. Fully half of the recommendations in the plan deal with domestic human rights issues. We will start at home - looking closely at our own performance. But we will also continue focusing on human rights abroad.
Human rights are universal rights.
They are essential for peace, economic growth and political stability. Large-scale human rights violations are not merely the product of civil and ethnic conflict, they are also a major factor behind such conflicts. Governments that continue to disregard basic human rights norms, deprive their population not only of political freedom, but also of improved economic conditions. Mr. Chairman, The right to life is the most fundamental of all human rights. Capital punishment is unacceptable.