FNs rasediskrimineringskomites betraktning av Norge foregikk dagene 3.-6. desember 2018. 3. desember var det et forberedende møte hvor organisasjoner kunne legge frem sitt syn på saken. En omfattende alternativ rapport fra det sivile samfunnet i Norge, deriblant Ruijan Kveeniliitto – Norske Kveners Forbund, ligger HER (på engelsk) og HER på norsk. Andre rapporter ligger her under CERD, XXIII-XXIV 97 (2018).
Den norske delegasjonen la fram den norske rapporten 5. desember og medlemmer av FNs rasediskrimineringskomite stilte spørsmål til Norge som ble begynt besvart i møtet, dette ble fortsatt i møte 6. desember med flere spørsmål og flere svar.
Møtene er i opptak på UN Web TV:
Consideration of Norway – 2695th Meeting 97th Session Committee on Elimination of Racial Discrimination, 5 Dec 2018 – Delegation of Norway. Av spesiell interesse her er innlegget fra Norges nasjonale institusjon for menneskerettigheter som tar opp behovet for styrking av kvensk språk, bedre dialog med de nasjonale minoritetene der man tar hensyn til at dette er til dels svært ulike grupper og manglende kunnskap om folkene i samfunnet (33 minutter inn i møtet). Videre etter dette landrapportør Prof. Ko som bl.a. etterspør statistikk om etniske minoriteter og tilbud til nasjonale minoriteter i helsevesenet og (56 minutter inn i møtet) komitemedlem Mr. Yeung om TV og radio på andre minoritetsspråk enn samisk og tolketjenester.
Concluding observations
Leder Hilja Lisa Hurus innlegg på forberedende dialogmøte med FNs rasediskrimineringskomité, Palais Wilson, Geneve, 3. desember 2018:
On behalf of the Norwegian Kven Association.
I would like to start with some word on the national minorities’ organisations This is in reference to article 2.2 of the Convention and in the alternative report of the civil society this is points 413-415.
The NGOs of the national minorities of Norway receive very little funding and are currently not able to meet the needs of our peoples. We recommend an immediate and significant increase in the funding of the national minorities’ organisations.
Moreover,decisions at local, regional and national level should be taken in close consultation with minority representatives and taking our priorities into consideration. At the moment such mechanisms are to great extent missing.
Then on some issues specific for the Kven people.
On the right to own property and the right to inherit, related to Concluding Observation 30 e). In the alternative report this is points 429-431.
The common land in the north has through history gone through various changes in ownership and was until the boarders were finally set more or less considered no-mans-land. However, the areas have been inhabited by the Sami and Kven peoples long before. Is seems that Kven ownership traditionally has been organized as local agreements based on local acceptance of each other’s property and land. This means that Kvens in many cases may lack documents confirming their ownership, especially when this date far back in time. After the second world war – in a time of crisis – many signed documents that probably turned Kven properties into leasehold properties own by the state. The documents were of course in Norwegian, and not in Kven language.
In addition, we receive reports that the state currently is rather aggressive when it comes to reaffirming the state ownership of some of these properties and people feel pushed to give up land they truly believe belong to their family. We do not know the extent of this possible great injustice, but the number of reports is growing, and so is our concern about the situation.
We recommend a state investigation mapping and assessing the possible loss of properties in Kven areas, starting with the areas of Kvænangen and Nord-Reisa municipalities which have the highest number of reports of concern. Kven customs, traditions and local conditions must be considered.
On enabeling the Kvens to maintain and sustain their livelihoods, related to Concluding Observation 30 a) and f) and in our report points 432-437.
The loss of land mentioned is of course affecting Kven farming. Kven livelihood is traditionally a combinations of farming, various types of handicraft and fishing. The coastal areas and fjords has in time immemorial been an important source for food and income for the Kven population. Now, pollution and loss of area and fish banks to the fish-farming industry is threatening the traditional Kven costal fishing. The quota management also plays a role where there is a costal quota in some areas for the smallest boats under the Sami parliament, where indigenous rights apply to the population in area in general. However, this is only for some specific areas and this quota has been reduced.
We recommend that the measure with costal quota is to be extended to all of Northern Norway. Through this and other measures ensure the Kven people rights to traditional utilization of natural resources – that support and sustain Kven livelihood.
And, to ensure Kven co-determination and/or representation in decision-making, especially for management of nature, land and natural recourses.
On the right to use own language related to Concluding Observation 38. In our report points 441-442.
Language is authority, and not to be given the opportunity to speak own language in dealing with the public health service is problematic. Further, the lack of cultural understanding and knowledge among medical personnel is a concern. This is especially a concern for elderly Kvens in the public health service. In this regard we recommend that in the Kven areas there are personnel locally that speak the Kven language, together with establishing Kven interpretation services. Moreover, establish training of both in- and pre-service personnel on the cultural aspects of Kvens.
On the right to use own language, on education and training, related to Concluding Observation 28 and in our report points 443-450.*
Kven language is highly endangered. There is a great need to strengthen measures in education, specifically with regard to funding. There is a great lack of teaching material, lack of teachers in Kven language, lack of Kven preschool education, the need for strengthening education regarding Kven language with immersion programs, incentives for becoming Kven teachers etc. The revitalization processes outside the school system also need stronger support. For instance the only radiobroadcasting in Kven language was cancelled a year ago.
We recommend strengthening Kven language in education and in preschool education and establishing broadcasting in Kven language. Kven language must be considered under part 3 of the European charter of minority languages in consultation with the Kven people.
* Kuttet ned i møtet pga begrenset tildelt tid.
Se også: NRK Kveeni: Kvenenes situasjon i Norge oppe i FN
For media: kontaktinfo til leder Hilja Huru http://kvener.no/om-oss/forbundsstyret/