The Norwegian Helsinki Committee’s annual board meeting requests of Norwegian authorities to increase the emphasis on democracy and human rights in the Russian part of the Barents region. The region is going through a phase of rapid economic development related to the extraction of its natural resources, including fish, oil, gas and various metals. At the same time, on the Russian side, the human rights problems remain very severe. (27-MAR-07)
Based on NHC’s press release, this article has been prepared for publication here by HRHF / Niels Jacob Harbitz.
In documents from the Norwegian government on strategies towards the development in this northern region, a focus on democracy and human rights has largely been absent. Without an emphasis on these values, we cannot be sure that the loca populaion will benefit from the great opportunities that the current development present, says NHC’s annual meeting.
To read the full statement of the meeting, in Norwegian, click here.
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