A demonstration to protest against the violation of human rights took place yesterday in front of the Norwegian Ministry of Energy in Oslo. Dozens of Sami activists dressed in their traditional costumes and led by Greta Thunberg gathered to protest against a wind turbine project still in place despite a court ruling.
The determination of Greta Thunberg
“We cannot use the so-called climate transition as a cover for colonialism,” said Greta Thunberg as she blocked the ministry’s doors. “A climate transition that violates human rights is not a climate transition worthy of the name and so we must stand up to the human rights violations that are happening here.”
The protest of the Sami breeders
Activists are protesting against the continued operation of wind turbines in the Fosen region of western Norway, more than 500 days after a major ruling by the Norwegian Supreme Court that the project violated the rights of Sami families to practice their culture, including reindeer herding. At the time of the verdict in October 2021, the 11 magistrates had unanimously concluded that the authorizations granted were invalid. “If our basic rights are not respected, then I don’t know which state to trust,” expressed Ella Marie Haetta Isaksen, Sámi activist and musician. Norwegian police also forcibly removed 12 activists who had been occupying the lobby of the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy for several days to gain support for Greta Thunberg.
An update of the data is necessary
The Sami representatives ask for the demolition of the turbines but the Norwegian authorities temporize to carry out complementary expertises. According to Terje Aasland, Norwegian minister: “We understand that this case is a burden, but even though the Supreme Court has ruled that the permits granted violate the legal protection of reindeer herders, it has not made a decision on what will happen” to the wind turbines. He then explained that “an update of the data is necessary to change the permits”.
As a result, all building employees were asked to remain in telecommuting yesterday.
