Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great honour to congratulate the Norwegian Helsinki Committee with its first 25 years.

The Norwegian Committee is one of the original members of the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights. The Federation and its member Committees played an essential role in making the Helsinki Final Act the symbolic start of democratisation in Eastern Europe. Through its Committees, the Federation represented powerful voices demanding change. In the West, the Committees spread information about the situation in the East and acted as pressure groups.

The Helsinki Federation and its Committees have been able to adapt to new realities in a changing world. The basis: reconciliation and co-operation among countries, and peoples is no less relevant today. The practical approach to human rights, including teaching and reporting, makes it an important actor and a valuable partner on the international arena.

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11 September 2001 broadened the perspective of those of us who take a special interest in the protection of human rights. The world became acutely aware of the danger that international terrorism represents and how terrorism seriously jeopardises human rights and the rule of law as well as national stability and international peace and security. Combating international terrorism is an important part of our struggle for human rights.

States do not only have the right but also a duty to combat terrorism in order to protect themselves and their citizens. New tools and methods must be applied in order to meet these challenges. Combating terrorism must not, however, become an excuse for repression and violation of human rights. We must conduct the struggle against terrorism within the framework provided by international human rights and humanitarian law. We must all actively promote the values terrorists despise: Democracy, human rights, openness and tolerance. All international actors have an important role to play in this work, the Norwegian Helsinki Committee and other NGOs included.

States are also obliged, under well-established international law, to prosecute those that are responsible for genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes. There can be no impunity for the most serious international crimes. We have seen, however, that states are not always capable or willing to do this.

Hence, we see the entry into force of the International Criminal Court earlier this year as a historic turning point. The ICC has as a foundation for its establishment the Nurnberg trials, and more recently the important work being done at the two ad hoc international tribunals created under the auspices of the UN Security Council, for Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia, respectively. However, in my opinion the ICC should be seen as a new and highly significant creation of international law and will of course have to face many challenges ahead. Norway is committed to the integrity of the ICC Statute and is convinced that it contains sufficient safeguards against unwarranted or arbitrary prosecutions.

I am confident that the ICC will demonstrate in practice that it is an independent, objective and impartial institution and that those still sceptical will join those of us who give unconditional support to the court. Norway will continue to support the Court - also at a practical level - and we are actively involved in preparing the first meeting of State Parties in September.

The ICC is one of a number of instruments that should be used to combat terrorism and promote human dignity. We will only succeed in our endeavours if we apply a broad range of measures. We must use every means available to us - political, legal, diplomatic, financial and military.

International terrorism is nurtured in societies plagued by far reaching discrimination, extreme nationalism, ethnic cleansing, violent conflict and genocide. A number of emerging democracies in the OSCE area have gone through such traumatic experiences over the last decade, at least partly due to internal differences in culture, language and religion.

The right to life is the most fundamental human right. Lack of political dialogue, no or inefficient investigations of alleged human rights violations as well as the absence of international monitors have deprived thousands of OSCE citizens of their most basic right.

We may find plausible explanations why we did not manage to prevent the violent tragedies of the 1990s. We will, however, never be forgiven if we do not act upon the lessons learned: Taking effective measures for the protection of minorities is essential for preventing the outbreak of new conflicts as well as for overcoming post conflict situations. Peaceful, democratic and prosperous development depends on the inclusion of minorities and their participation in political and social life, including the preservation of their culture and identity as well as freedom of religion.

However, groups and individuals must not only be given formal rights to equal participation, but also the necessary skills to make use of these rights. From a human rights perspective, education and training is a major tool for individuals to develop their potential and ambitions to the maximum. The Helsinki-Committees have taken this seriously. In Norway, the Helsinki Committee facilitates and runs projects for refugees, either to increase the level of integration, or as part of preparations for repatriation. The Kosovo-project, in which 6000 refugees from Kosovo were given training in democracy and human rights before their return home, is a brilliant example. The Human Rights Summer School in the Balkans increases understanding between groups that have been enemies and at the same time prepares youths for a democratic future.

A vital and well functioning democracy also depends on an enlightened, active and critical public debate which reflects the interest and opinion of all members of society. A large number of non-governmental organisations, including the Helsinki Federation, collect and share valuable information on situations where freedom of expression and free media are under threat or severely restricted. The work of these organisations deserves our profound consideration and respect.

Free and fair elections are at the core of the democratic process, and should be viewed as part of a broader effort to strengthen civic society and its institutions and thus promote stability. Furthermore, free and fair elections consolidate respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, such as freedom of expression and freedom of assembly and association.

The Norwegian Helsinki Committee has made substantial contributions in election observation and in developing observation standards. There are numerous examples of the positive effects of the Committee's work. This includes creating confidence in the electorate and in the election process through increased transparency, reduced risk of fraud and improved election systems.

However, international efforts will be useless without local commitment and national follow-up in the countries involved. The many representatives from the Western Balkans present here today illustrate the strong local dedication to the Helsinki principles that can be found in that region. Your work has been difficult and at times even dangerous. You still face serious challenges. But you have also experienced a number of victories over the last years. I would like to compliment you on your determination and to ensure you of Norway's continued support.

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The promotion and strengthening of human rights and fundamental freedoms is a cornerstone of my government’s policy. We strongly believe that increased respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms makes an effective contribution to the promotion of peace and stability.

So do you. We highly appreciate the work of the Norwegian Helsinki Committee and its sister committees. We may not always see eye-to-eye and we sometimes differ in style and language. However, I am convinced that we will develop our fruitful co-operation and dialogue even further in the years to come. After all, we both realise that we have a common goal: Human dignity for all.

Thank you