Four ministers were present when the government launched its action plan with 50 anti-racism and discrimination measures.
A new action plan was presented in Oslo on Wednesday by Prime Minister Erna Solberg (Høyre/Conservative Party), Minister of Culture and Gender Equality Trine Skei Grande (Venstre/Liberal Party), State Secretary in the Ministry of Justice Jøran Kallmyr (FrP/Progress Party) and Minister of Children, Family and Church Affairs Kjell Ingolf Ropstad (KrF/Christian Democratic Party).
The plan consists of new measures as well as continuation and strengthening of existing measures, and is valid from 2020 to 2023.
“Norway is a society with small differences, of trust between people and a high degree of security. And it is important to take care of that. At the same time, we know that racism and discrimination are democratic challenges that hinder many people’s opportunities to participate and use their resources in society,” says Minister of Culture and Gender Equality Trine Skei Grande (Venstre).
Broad and good cooperation
The action plan has nine defined areas of action: Knowledge and research, meeting places, debate and democracy, children, youth and education, work, housing, criminal justice, public services and international efforts.
Among other things, the government wants to set up a coordinating secretary of state to look at the themes of extremism, racism and hate speech in context.
“We want a society based on freedom and justice where everyone has equal opportunities, regardless of background and origin,” emphasizes the minister in a press release.
Research and competence development
Work on a separate action plan against discrimination and hatred against Muslims, which was launched in August this year, will continue.
Research on racism and discrimination against various groups is also included in the plan of action, and the Police Directorate will consider how to build a national center of competence in hate crime.
Measures are also being put in place to strengthen the Stop Hate Speech (Stopp hatprat) campaign, and a separate campaign against discrimination in nightspots will be launched and dialogue established with those involved in the nightlife industry. In the cultural sector too, work on diversity and inclusion will be strengthened.
Freedom of speech commission
The government also wants to set up its own freedom of speech commission which will examine the framework and conditions for freedom of expression on a broad basis. Among other things, the commission will promote measures to counter the spread of hateful and other illegal statements on social media.
The trial of anonymous job applications in the state, which started on August 1st, will be evaluated when the trial period expires in September next year, and a final report will be completed before Christmas next year.
The government will also implement measures to combat discrimination in the labor market and in the housing market.
© NTB Scanpix / #Norway Today
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