In 2024, the Norwegian Institute for Human Rights and sister organizations in Sweden and Denmark conducted the first joint Scandinavian survey on human rights perceptions. The results for Norway, released just before Christmas last year, indicate that Norwegians believe they know their human rights well, but only half can name a right. One in four Norwegians says human rights are something they never think about.
Associate Professor Dag Einar Thorsen at the University of South-Eastern Norway says human rights are the cornerstone of a democracy. 'One can hardly imagine a modern democracy like Norway without human rights,' Thorsen stated. ' Thorsen says it is problematic that so many Norwegians do not know their rights, noting it is not fortunate in a democracy to have many citizens who do not know how the political system works.
Citizens echo mixed awareness. Charlotte Borstad says, 'One has it a bit in the back of one's mind, but it is not something one thinks much about. ' Truls Klippen does not know human rights in detail but believes we need them in Norway.
In contrast, Saida Lizza Amel, who comes from Afghanistan, says human rights are important because they give freedom. Muzgin Bakar says Norway is a great country because people can do what they want and think what they want, creating debate and living freely. Beyond general rights, digital concerns emerge.
One in four is worried about digital exclusion in old age, according to a survey for the Norwegian Institute for Human Rights. The Digitalisation Directorate says one in five is considered digitally vulnerable. The plan is to conduct a new survey in 2028 to track knowledge and views on human rights.