Norway

Norway

Right	Section	Contents
Freedom of Association	History	The Constitution of Norway, which was initially enacted in 1814 (making it the world’s second oldest constitution to still be in effect today, after the United States Constitution), was amended around 2014 to guarantee the right to freedom of association. Under Article 101, “everyone has the right to form, join, and leave associations, including trade unions and political parties.” Before this, Norway pledged to uphold freedom of association when it ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights in 1972. “The Constitution, as laid down on 17 May 1814 by the Constituent Assembly at Eidsvoll and subsequently amended, most recently in May 2014.” World Constitutions Illustrated, July 24, 2023, https://heinonline-org.ccl.idm.oclc.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.cow/zzno0023&id=1&collection=cow&index=. UN Treaty Body Database. “Ratification Status for CCPR – International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.” Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, July 24, 2023, https://tbinternet.ohchr.org/_layouts/15/TreatyBodyExternal/Treaty.aspx?Treaty=CCPR&Lang=en.
Freedom of Expression	History	Article 100 of Norway’s 1814 Constitution states, “It is allowed everybody freely to deliver his opinions of government or any other subject.” Nearly 200 years later in 2004, Article 100 was amended and lengthened providing an elaborate definition of freedom of expression: “There shall be freedom of expression. No one may be held liable in law for having imparted or received information, ideas or messages unless this can be justified in relation to the grounds for freedom of expression, which are the seeking of truth, the promotion of democracy and the individual's freedom to form opinions. Such legal liability shall be prescribed by law. Everyone shall be free to speak their mind frankly on the administration of the State and on any other subject whatsoever. Clearly defined limitations to this right may only be imposed when particularly weighty considerations so justify in relation to the grounds for freedom of expression.” According to the Norwegian Commission for Freedom of Expression Report, the new Article 100 was “built on the legal developments associated with Article 10 of the European Human Rights Convention (ECHR).” References: Rieber-Mohn, Thomas. “Proposed Amendments to Article 100 of the Norwegian Constitution (Freedom of Expression)” IRIS Merlin (2004): https://merlin.obs.coe.int/article/3198 Norwegian Commission for Freedom of Expression Report, 2022. Norwegian Ministry of Culture and Equality: https://www.regjeringen.no/contentassets/753af2a75c21435795cd21bc86faeb2d/en-gb/pdfs/nou202220220009000engpdfs.pdf Constitution of the Kingdom of Norway, 1814. Norwegian Government (1814), World Constitutions Illustrated, HeinOnline: https://heinonline.org/HOL/COWShow?collection=cow&cow_id=312
Freedom of Religion	History	In 2012, Norway officially and explicitly guaranteed the freedom of religion through a constitutional amendment securing a secular Norwegian state. Sources: “Northwestern SSO.” n.d. Prd-Nusso.it.northwestern.edu. Accessed June 20, 2024. https://heinonline-org.turing.library.northwestern.edu/HOL/Page?collection=cow&handle=hein.cow/zzno0083&id=3&men_tab=srchresults.
Freedom of the Press	History	Article 100 of Norway’s 1814 Constitution protects press freedom: “No person may be held liable in law for having imparted or received information, ideas or messages unless this can be justified in relation to the grounds for freedom of expression, which are the seeking of truth, the promotion of democracy and the individual's freedom to form opinions. Such legal liability shall be prescribed by law…Prior censorship and other preventive measures may not be applied unless so required in order to protect children and young persons from the harmful influence of moving pictures. Censorship of letters may only be imposed in institutions" (Constitute Project, “Norway's Constitution of 1814 with Amendments through 2014” ).
Privacy Rights	History	Article 102 of Norway’s 1814 Constitution states that “inquiries in private houses are not permitted, unless in criminal cases.” The 2018 Norwegian Data Protection Act additionally protects personal data and implements the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) (“Data Protection Law,” 2024). References: “Constitution of the Kingdom of Norway, 1814”. Norwegian Government (1814), World Constitutions Illustrated, HeinOnline: https://heinonline.org/HOL/COWShow?collection=cow&cow_id=312 “Data Protection Law in Norway.” 2024. DLA Piper. Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.dlapiperdataprotection.com/index.html?t=law&c=NO
Voting Rights and Suffrage	History	Article 50 of Norway’s Constitution grants nearly all citizens over the age of 18 the right to vote. Citizens residing outside Norway during the election or who “Suffer from a seriously weakened mental state” are subject to the determination of law on whether or not they may vote. (Constitute Project, “Norway's Constitution of 1814 with Amendments through 2014” ).