International recommendation

Situation of the Sami people

Issue date:
Human rights body:
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD)
Themes:
Violence against women, girls and partners
Populations of concern:
Sami/indigenous peoples
Relevant CERD article:
Art. 5 – Enjoyment of rights without racial discrimination
Source:
CERD/C/NOR/CO/23-24, para. 22

Recommended measures (7)

Measure
Measure types:
Policies, strategies, and action plansPractices and guidelinesConsultation
Responsible Ministry:
Ministry of Justice and Public Security

The State party, in consultation with Sami people, should take measures to end violence against Sami women, such as by creating a national action plan on violence against women, including Sami women, which addresses strategies to end violence and encourage reporting and proper registration and prosecution of sexual violence crimes.

Measure
Measure types:
Training and capacity buildingConsultation
Responsible Ministries:
Ministry of Justice and Public SecurityMinistry of Education and Research

The State party, in consultation with Sami people, should ensure that judges and law enforcement officers are trained on cultural knowledge of Sami communities and have available qualified interpreters, and continue efforts to recruit Sami into law enforcement institutions.

Measure
Measure types:
Practices and guidelinesConsultation
Responsible Ministry:
Ministry of Education and Research

The State party, in consultation with Sami people, should ensure the availability of trained and qualified interpreters to assist in the provision of public services to the Sami community and other linguistic minorities.

Measure
Measure types:
Laws and regulationsFollow-up of recommendationsConsultation
Responsible Ministry:
Ministry of Justice and Public Security

The State party, in consultation with Sami people, should take measures to implement its previous recommendation to address the legal recognition of land and resource rights of the Sami people outside of Finnmark.

Measure
Measure types:
Laws and regulationsConsultation
Responsible Ministries:
Ministry of Trade, Industry and FisheriesMinistry of Agriculture and FoodMinistry of Justice and Public Security

The State party, in consultation with Sami people, should take measures to improve the legal framework on Sami land, fishing and reindeer rights, ensuring that fishing rights are recognized by law.

Measure
Measure types:
Practices and guidelinesLaws and regulationsConsultation
Responsible Ministry:
Ministry of Agriculture and Food

The State party, in consultation with Sami people, should take measures to re-establish the ability of the Eastern Sami to conduct their traditional reindeer husbandry.

Measure
Measure types:
Ratification, reservation, and incorporationConsultation
Responsible Ministry:
Ministry of Local Government and Modernisation

The State party, in consultation with Sami people, should address outstanding concerns raised by the Sami Parliament and facilitate the speedy adoption of the Nordic Sami Convention.