natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
My view at the time was clear – and it still is: in these contexts the need to preserve the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence is of fundamental importance in order to be able to provide effective protection and assistance.
My view at the time was clear – and it still is: in these contexts the need to preserve the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence is of fundamental importance in order to be able to provide effective protection and assistance.
I will address the three questions to this panel.
I will address the three questions to this panel.
The first:
The first:
How can humanitarian aid policy best be reconciled with other elements of foreign policy while maintaining its autonomy?
How can humanitarian aid policy best be reconciled with other elements of foreign policy while maintaining its autonomy?
Three points:
Three points:
Firstly, the Norwegian approach: Humanitarian aid, peacebuilding and human rights are high priorities for the Norwegian Government.
Firstly, the Norwegian approach: Humanitarian aid, peacebuilding and human rights are high priorities for the Norwegian Government.
We saw the importance of developing a humanitarian policy that is separate from but linked to other policy areas.
We saw the importance of developing a humanitarian policy that is separate from but linked to other policy areas.
In 2008 my Government presented an overall humanitarian strategy for Norway entitled Norway’s Humanitarian Policy.
In 2008 my Government presented an overall humanitarian strategy for Norway entitled Norway’s Humanitarian Policy.
This clarified and enhanced our humanitarian approach.
This clarified and enhanced our humanitarian approach.
The goal of our humanitarian strategy is to ensure a rapid, flexible and effective response to changing humanitarian needs.
The goal of our humanitarian strategy is to ensure a rapid, flexible and effective response to changing humanitarian needs.
The fundamental purpose of humanitarian assistance is to save lives, alleviate suffering and safeguard human dignity regardless of ethnic background, gender, age, religion or political affiliation.
The fundamental purpose of humanitarian assistance is to save lives, alleviate suffering and safeguard human dignity regardless of ethnic background, gender, age, religion or political affiliation.
The humanitarian strategy is part of Norway’s policy of engagement.
The humanitarian strategy is part of Norway’s policy of engagement.
Secondly , humanitarian crises require political solutions.
Secondly , humanitarian crises require political solutions.
Norway, as a political actor, can be impartial but is not neutral.
Norway, as a political actor, can be impartial but is not neutral.
We take the side of the victims and will not remain silent about maltreatment or abuse of power.
We take the side of the victims and will not remain silent about maltreatment or abuse of power.
When it comes to the respect for international humanitarian law, there are mainly three categories of actors: First, the ones who don’t know the law.
When it comes to the respect for international humanitarian law, there are mainly three categories of actors: First, the ones who don’t know the law.
For instance local warriors who have no knowledge or training.
For instance local warriors who have no knowledge or training.
Second, people who know the law, but who don’t care.
Second, people who know the law, but who don’t care.
And the third, people who know and care but question how the law applies to modern conflict situations.
And the third, people who know and care but question how the law applies to modern conflict situations.
Here it is a matter of practical guidance on interpretation.
Here it is a matter of practical guidance on interpretation.
The main problem is not inadequate legislation, but inadequate implementation.
The main problem is not inadequate legislation, but inadequate implementation.
That is why my Government has launched an initiative entitled “Reclaiming the Protection of Civilians under International Humanitarian Law” in which the Norwegian Refugee Council is an active partner.
That is why my Government has launched an initiative entitled “Reclaiming the Protection of Civilians under International Humanitarian Law” in which the Norwegian Refugee Council is an active partner.
The aim is not to negotiate new legislation, but to agree on practical measures that will effectively improve the situation for civilians in armed conflicts.
The aim is not to negotiate new legislation, but to agree on practical measures that will effectively improve the situation for civilians in armed conflicts.
It may be necessary to remind conflict parties about their commitments individual responsibility International Humanitarian Law.
It may be necessary to remind conflict parties about their commitments individual responsibility International Humanitarian Law.
Norway, in consultation with the ICRC, is engaging states that may influence parties to the conflict in Syria to remind and insist on the commitments to respect international humanitarian law and protect health workers, hospitals and ambulances.
Norway, in consultation with the ICRC, is engaging states that may influence parties to the conflict in Syria to remind and insist on the commitments to respect international humanitarian law and protect health workers, hospitals and ambulances.
Thirdly, I would like to stress the need to maintain a principled approach to humanitarian action.
Thirdly, I would like to stress the need to maintain a principled approach to humanitarian action.
Funding for humanitarian assistance should be based on humanitarian needs and not on political considerations.
Funding for humanitarian assistance should be based on humanitarian needs and not on political considerations.
What are the challenges and best ways of working to co-exist with other operations?
What are the challenges and best ways of working to co-exist with other operations?
Norway’s position: Coordination but with a clear division of roles and responsibilities is essential.
Norway’s position: Coordination but with a clear division of roles and responsibilities is essential.
There needs to be a clear distinction between humanitarian, development and military efforts.
There needs to be a clear distinction between humanitarian, development and military efforts.
Challenges: Humanitarian efforts are often carried out side by side with international police efforts and military peacekeeping operations.
Challenges: Humanitarian efforts are often carried out side by side with international police efforts and military peacekeeping operations.
In some countries there are frameworks for coordinating these various activities.
In some countries there are frameworks for coordinating these various activities.
We are, of course, not arguing against structural integration – it is good that the different UN efforts are integrated and coordinated.
We are, of course, not arguing against structural integration – it is good that the different UN efforts are integrated and coordinated.
But on the ground it is important that the various efforts are kept separate and that humanitarian assistance is clearly set apart from other operations.
But on the ground it is important that the various efforts are kept separate and that humanitarian assistance is clearly set apart from other operations.
I would like to return to the point I made earlier about principled humanitarian action and when it matters the most.
I would like to return to the point I made earlier about principled humanitarian action and when it matters the most.
In highly complex conflict situations a principled approach is essential to ensuring acceptance for humanitarian action and to enabling humanitarian actors to operate on the ground.
In highly complex conflict situations a principled approach is essential to ensuring acceptance for humanitarian action and to enabling humanitarian actors to operate on the ground.
The more complex the situation, the greater the need for a principled approach.
The more complex the situation, the greater the need for a principled approach.
But once peace is restored in a country or region, the main task becomes reconstruction.
But once peace is restored in a country or region, the main task becomes reconstruction.
The focus becomes development rather than humanitarian aid and the need for humanitarian actors to demonstrate their autonomy decreases.
The focus becomes development rather than humanitarian aid and the need for humanitarian actors to demonstrate their autonomy decreases.
In Afghanistan, for instance, it is very important with a clear distinction between the different roles and responsibilities – and not to mix military and humanitarian efforts.
In Afghanistan, for instance, it is very important with a clear distinction between the different roles and responsibilities – and not to mix military and humanitarian efforts.
Whereas in a situation of national disasters where there is no conflict, the co-operation between military and civilian efforts poses no problems, rather improves the response.
Whereas in a situation of national disasters where there is no conflict, the co-operation between military and civilian efforts poses no problems, rather improves the response.
When one agency has a dual mandate and delivers both humanitarian and development aid, this may pose a challenge.
When one agency has a dual mandate and delivers both humanitarian and development aid, this may pose a challenge.
It is important to be clear that when it is providing development assistance it is not impartial.
It is important to be clear that when it is providing development assistance it is not impartial.
For instance establishing a girl’s school in Afghanistan is political.
For instance establishing a girl’s school in Afghanistan is political.
It is indicating a direction of desired change.
It is indicating a direction of desired change.
Are the organisations sufficiently aware?
Are the organisations sufficiently aware?
How might donors and their implementing partners work to improve principled allocation of humanitarian funding?
How might donors and their implementing partners work to improve principled allocation of humanitarian funding?
Norway has increasingly focused on the need to provide more flexible and predictable humanitarian funding.
Norway has increasingly focused on the need to provide more flexible and predictable humanitarian funding.
This is mainly done through multi-year agreements with key humanitarian partners.
This is mainly done through multi-year agreements with key humanitarian partners.
These agreements normally contain a certain degree of flexibility to switch between budget lines according to changing humanitarian needs.
These agreements normally contain a certain degree of flexibility to switch between budget lines according to changing humanitarian needs.
We depend on our partners to implement the programmes based on needs analyses and humanitarian principles.
We depend on our partners to implement the programmes based on needs analyses and humanitarian principles.
Non-earmarked funding for emergency appeals is another way of allowing humanitarian partners more flexibility.
Non-earmarked funding for emergency appeals is another way of allowing humanitarian partners more flexibility.
The increasing use of humanitarian fund mechanisms, like the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
The increasing use of humanitarian fund mechanisms, like the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
The CERF allows rapid disbursement of funds for sudden onset disasters and forgotten crises.
The CERF allows rapid disbursement of funds for sudden onset disasters and forgotten crises.
It is the Emergency Relief Coordinator who makes decisions on allocations purely on the basis of a needs analysis.
It is the Emergency Relief Coordinator who makes decisions on allocations purely on the basis of a needs analysis.
To be even more effective, UN agencies must be able to respond more quickly and this includes being able to provide funding to NGOs more rapidly.
To be even more effective, UN agencies must be able to respond more quickly and this includes being able to provide funding to NGOs more rapidly.
To conclude,
To conclude,
The financial crisis is leading to budget cuts in many countries.
The financial crisis is leading to budget cuts in many countries.
Which budgets are cut?
Which budgets are cut?
It is a question of damage limitation.
It is a question of damage limitation.
In this situation it is also important to take note of new actors entering the arena, some with new ideas and ways to do humanitarian assistance.
In this situation it is also important to take note of new actors entering the arena, some with new ideas and ways to do humanitarian assistance.
It is important to broaden ownership of humanitarian principles, fundamental humanitarian values and human rights.
It is important to broaden ownership of humanitarian principles, fundamental humanitarian values and human rights.
Humanitarianism and human rights are shared values.
Humanitarianism and human rights are shared values.
I wish you every success with this conference and look forward to the discussions.
I wish you every success with this conference and look forward to the discussions.
Principles in Practice: Safeguarding Humanitarian Action
Principles in Practice: Safeguarding Humanitarian Action
Norway condemns brutal killings in Syria
Norge fordømmer grusomme handlinger i Syria
“I am deeply shocked by the massacre.
- Jeg er dypt sjokkert over massakren.
The United Nations Supervision Mission in Syria (UNSMIS) has placed part of the responsibility on the Syrian authorities.
FNs observatørstyrke i Syria, UNSMIS, har plassert deler av ansvaret for massakren hos syriske myndigheter.
Norway fully supports the Security Council’s unanimous statement, issued yesterday, which condemns the attacks on the civilian population in Houla in the strongest possible terms.
Norge gir sin fulle støtte til uttalelsen fra et samlet sikkerhetsråd i går som på det sterkeste fordømmer overgrepene mot sivilbefolkningen i Houla.
Joint Special Envoy for the UN and the League of Arab States Kofi Annan is in Damascus this week to discuss possibilities for a political solution to the crisis.
Utsendingen for FN og Den arabiske liga, Kofi Annan, er i Damaskus denne uken for å drøfte muligheten for en politisk løsning på krisen.
Bruxelles, 8 December 2011
Brussel, 8. desember 2011
- We are committed to Afghanistan and its future, Foreign Minister Støre said in his address Foreign Minister meeting on Afghanistan in Bruxelles 8 December.
- We are committed to Afghanistan and its future, sa utenriksminister Støre bl.a. i sitt innlegg på utenriksministermøtet om Afghanistan i Nato-Isaf i Brussel 8. desember.
The Minister based his address on some of the following points:
The Minister based his address on some of the following points:
I add my voice to those who strongly condemn the recent terror attack in Kabul.
I add my voice to those who strongly condemn the recent terror attack in Kabul.
Welcome the results and conclusions of the Bonn Conference on Afghanistan.
Welcome the results and conclusions of the Bonn Conference on Afghanistan.
Support the two main principles from the conference: long-term commitment and mutual obligation.
Support the two main principles from the conference: long-term commitment and mutual obligation.
Important that the Afghan Government commits itself to build a stable, democratic society, based on the rule of law, where human rights and fundamental freedoms are guaranteed under the constitution.
Important that the Afghan Government commits itself to build a stable, democratic society, based on the rule of law, where human rights and fundamental freedoms are guaranteed under the constitution.
In Bonn (5 December 2011), we underlined that Norway’s partnership with Afghanistan will remain strong, also beyond 2014.
In Bonn (5 December 2011), we underlined that Norway’s partnership with Afghanistan will remain strong, also beyond 2014.
This partnership demands that Afghanistan does its part by reinforcing the fight against corruption and ensuring good governance, at all levels.
This partnership demands that Afghanistan does its part by reinforcing the fight against corruption and ensuring good governance, at all levels.
I also emphasised in Bonn that a sustainable political solution must include all parties to the conflict.
I also emphasised in Bonn that a sustainable political solution must include all parties to the conflict.
Women must participate in determining Afghanistan’s future, in all sectors, at all levels.
Women must participate in determining Afghanistan’s future, in all sectors, at all levels.
This will be one of Norway’s priorities.
This will be one of Norway’s priorities.
The transition is well under way.
The transition is well under way.
Norway remains committed to a responsible and coordinated transition process.
Norway remains committed to a responsible and coordinated transition process.
We are committed to the approach we adopted in Lisbon.
We are committed to the approach we adopted in Lisbon.
Transition has so far gone well.
Transition has so far gone well.
Proves that the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) is becoming more capable and underlines the importance of ISAF’s mentoring and training.
Proves that the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) is becoming more capable and underlines the importance of ISAF’s mentoring and training.
We will revert to these issues in Chicago (May 2012), to ensure that the future ANSF force level is sustainable.
We will revert to these issues in Chicago (May 2012), to ensure that the future ANSF force level is sustainable.
Statement from the meeting.
Kommuniké fra møtet.
Norway freezes all budget support to Malawi
Norge fryser all budsjettstøtte til Malawi
Malawi is the poorest of Norway’s partner countries in southern Africa, with an average life expectancy of 52 years for men and 54 for women.
Malawi er det fattigste av de norske samarbeidslandene i sørlige Afrika, med en gjennomsnittlig levealder på 52 år for menn og 54 år for kvinner.
Many are affected by HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
Mange er rammet av hiv/aids, malaria og tuberkulose.
Norway disburses budget support to Palestine
Norge gir budsjettstøtte til Palestina
Norway’s support is helping to provide education, health services and security to the Palestinian people.
Norges støtte er med på å gi den palestinske befolkningen utdanning, helsetjenester og sikkerhet.
Norway chairs the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC), which brings together the main donors and coordinates support to the Palestinian Authority.
Norge leder giverlandsgruppen (AHCL) som samler de største giverne og koordinerer støtten til Den palestinske selvstyremyndigheten.
The AHLC will meet again in the middle of March to discuss the financial difficulties that the Palestinians are facing.
Giverlandsgruppen samles igjen i Brussel i midten av mars for å diskutere de finansielle vanskelighetene palestinerne står overfor.
Donors, the Palestinians and the Israelis must cooperate on effective measures.
Giverne, palestinerne og israelerne må samarbeide om effektive tiltak.
Norway to increase budget support to the Palestinian authorities by NOK 85 million
Norge øker budsjettstøtten til palestinske myndigheter med 85 millioner kroner
Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre chaired a meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee for Assistance to the Palestinians (AHLC) on Monday 22 September.
Utenriksminister Jonas Gahr Støre ledet 22. september det tredje ministermøtet siden september 2007 i den internasjonale giverlandsgruppen for bistand til Det palestinske området.
Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Støre chaired a meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee for Assistance to the Palestinians (AHLC) on Monday 22 September.
Utenriksminister Jonas Gahr Støre ledet mandag 22. september møtet i den internasjonale giverlandsgruppen (AHLC) for bistand til Det palestinske området.
“Clear recognition of Prime Minister Salam Fayyad’s reform efforts in the financial and security sectors was expressed at the meeting today,” said Mr Støre.
- Dagens møte uttrykte klar anerkjennelse av statsminister Salam Fayyads innsats for reformer på det økonomiske området og innen sikkerhetssektoren, sier utenriksminister Støre.
“The considerable support the donors are providing for the Palestinian economy was also acknowledged.
- Møtet ga også anerkjennelse til givernes betydelige støtte til palestinsk økonomi.
“Together with a number of other donor countries, Norway emphasised the importance of removing Israeli road blocks, as this is crucial for growth in the Palestinian economy.
- I likhet med flere andre giverland la vi fra norsk side stor vekt på fjerning av israelske veisperringer som en avgjørende forutsetning for vekst i palestinsk økonomi.
Freedom of movement for the Palestinians and for goods and services is essential for developing economic activity in the Palestinian Territory,” continued Mr Støre, adding that reports from the UN, World Bank and the IMF also underline this point.
Bevegelsesfrihet for palestinerne samt for varer og tjenester er helt nødvendig for utvikling av økonomisk virksomhet i Det palestinske området, sier utenriksministeren, som også viser til at dette understrekes i rapporter fra FN, Verdensbanken og IMF.
“In the present situation, considerable international efforts are still needed.
- Gitt denne situasjonen vil det fortsatt være behov for betydelig internasjonal innsats.
In order to ensure that there is enough money to pay public employees’ salaries, and to provide health and education services, Norway has decided to increase its budget support to the Palestinian Authority by NOK 85 million to NOK 310 million for this year under the Norwegian 2008 budget.
For å sikre at offentlige ansatte fortsatt kan få utbetalt lønn, og sikre helse og utdanning til palestinerne, har Norge innenfor budsjettet for 2008 besluttet å øke budsjettstøtten til palestinske selvstyremyndigheter med 85 millioner kroner til 310 millioner kroner for inneværende år.
“Norway has stressed the links between the political negotiation process and the efforts to develop the Palestinian economy.
- Norge har lagt vekt på sammenhengen mellom den politiske forhandlingsprosessen og arbeidet med å utvikle palestinsk økonomi.
Unless political process is made, it will be difficult for the Palestinian economy to stand on its own two feet.
Uten politiske framskritt blir det vanskelig for palestinsk økonomi å kunne stå på egne ben.
And without visible political progress, donors may lose the will to contribute.
Og uten synlig politisk framgang kan giverne miste viljen til å bidra.
At the same time, an economic downturn in the Palestinian Territory may undermine the will to find a political solution.
Samtidig kan økonomiske tilbakeslag på palestinsk side svekke viljen til å finne politiske løsninger.
I am therefore very pleased to see the clear international support for a Palestinian state and a two-state solution at today’s AHLC meeting,” said Mr Støre.
Derfor er jeg glad for den klare internasjonale støtten til en palestinsk stat og til to-statsløsningen på dagens møte i AHLC, sier utenriksminister Støre.
Norway has chaired the AHLC since 1994.
Norge har ledet AHLC siden 1994.
Quartet Representative Tony Blair also attended the meeting.
Kvartettens spesialutsending Tony Blair deltok også på møtet.
Chair’s summary at Meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee
Chair’s summary at Meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee
Opening Address at the AHLC Meeting in New York
Opening Address at the AHLC Meeting in New York
Norway transfers NOK 240 million to the Palestinian authorities
Norge overfører 240 millioner kroner til palestinske myndigheter
Today, Norway transferred NOK 240 million in budget support to the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Norge har overført 240 millioner kroner i budsjettstøtte til den palestinske selvstyremyndigheten (PA).
Norway is one of the first donor countries to transfer its contribution for 2012.
Norge er blant de første giverlandene som overfører bidrag for 2012.