Norway has signed a new cooperation agreement regarding increased support with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The new cooperation agreement was signed on 24 October, the UN Day, which marks the date when the UN Charter entered into force in 1945.
“The UN’s work to strengthen human rights is more important than ever”, says Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt in a press release.
The support increases from NOK 165 million per year to NOK 197 million, according to the press release.
“Human rights and democracy are under pressure throughout the world. We must fight against this development, and OHCHR plays a key role in it. Through our collaboration with OHCHR, Norway contributes to strengthening the High Commissioner’s power to act”, says Huitfeldt.
Norway has long been a major supporter of the High Commissioner’s work. Through the agreement, Norway will contribute to OHCHR’s work in countries such as Colombia, Ethiopia, Myanmar and Palestine.
The agreement will support the UN’s work with human rights defenders and civil society, as well as fight the discrimination that meets millions of people across the world on the basis of religious and ethnic background, gender identity and sexuality, among others.
In the press release, the Norwegian government emphasizes that they will also contribute to the OHCHR’s efforts to prevent human rights violations especially in connection with crisis and conflict.
Read also: Secretary-General António Guterres message on United Nations Day, 24 October 2022