Human Rights Service
Encyclopedia
Human Rights Service is a Norwegian
organisation which was founded in 2001.
It describes itself (since 2007) as a "non-partisan independent think tank
which work with themes attached to the new multiethnic and multireligious Norway and Europe
". Through spreading information, HRS has as its aims to contribute to a better integration
of immigrants, and prevention of violations of central human rights
. Its general manager is Rita Karlsen, and its leader of information is journalist and commentator Hege Storhaug
. In 2009, Bruce Bawer
also joined HRS to "contribute essays", "translate major HRS articles into English" and "solicit, edit, and translate columns by international commentators from a range of languages into both English and Norwegian".
The organisation, which has seen some controversy, has since 2002 received public funding, initiated by demands from the Progress Party
when it supported the Bondevik II government. Controversy has erupted mainly as a result of criticism by Somali-Norwegian writer and former HRS employee Amal Aden
in 2009 over the alleged work methods of the organisation. The Directorate of Integration and Diversity in 2009–10 considered forcing the organisation to pay back all the funds it had been granted since its initiation, but eventually concluded otherwise.
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
organisation which was founded in 2001.
It describes itself (since 2007) as a "non-partisan independent think tank
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
which work with themes attached to the new multiethnic and multireligious Norway and Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
". Through spreading information, HRS has as its aims to contribute to a better integration
Social integration
Social integration, in sociology and other social sciences, is the movement of minority groups such as ethnic minorities, refugees and underprivileged sections of a society into the mainstream of societies...
of immigrants, and prevention of violations of central human rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
. Its general manager is Rita Karlsen, and its leader of information is journalist and commentator Hege Storhaug
Hege Storhaug
Hege Storhaug is a Norwegian journalist, writer and women's rights activist. She has been noted since the 1990s for her opposition to Islamism and advocacy for human rights; particularly women's rights in relation to traditional Muslim attitudes and practices towards women. Since 2002, she has...
. In 2009, Bruce Bawer
Bruce Bawer
Bruce Bawer is an American literary critic, writer and poet. His work focuses mainly on criticism and issues related to Islam.-Personal life:Bawer received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D...
also joined HRS to "contribute essays", "translate major HRS articles into English" and "solicit, edit, and translate columns by international commentators from a range of languages into both English and Norwegian".
The organisation, which has seen some controversy, has since 2002 received public funding, initiated by demands from the Progress Party
Progress Party (Norway)
The Progress Party is a political party in Norway which identifies as conservative liberal and libertarian. The media has described it as conservative and right-wing populist...
when it supported the Bondevik II government. Controversy has erupted mainly as a result of criticism by Somali-Norwegian writer and former HRS employee Amal Aden
Amal Aden
Amal Aden is the pseudonym of a Somali-Norwegian writer. She has been noted in Norway because of her strong criticism of the Norwegian integration and immigration policy, and is the author of several books regarding issues related to this....
in 2009 over the alleged work methods of the organisation. The Directorate of Integration and Diversity in 2009–10 considered forcing the organisation to pay back all the funds it had been granted since its initiation, but eventually concluded otherwise.