Human Rights Service

Human Rights Service (HRS) is a Norwegian foundation established in 2001.[1] The organization is known for its criticism of Islam and immigration,[1] and is managed by Rita Karlsen and Hege Storhaug.[2]

Human Rights Service
TypeFoundation (nonprofit)
Founded2001
HeadquartersOslo, Norway
Key people
Rita Karlsen
Hege Storhaug
Websitewww.rights.no

Activities

HRS claims to have been established to work for a more well-functioning multi-ethnic society.[1] Through the spread of information the organization aims to contribute to better integration of immigrants, and preventing violation of human rights.[1] It has become known especially for its work against forced marriage, and against cultural and religious oppression of women.[1] The organization has also been critical of the cultural and economic effects of the high immigration to Norway.[1]

HRS received public funding from the Norwegian state from 2002 to 2021, and from 2012 to 2015 from Oslo municipality.[3][4] After a new Oslo city council proposed to withdraw further support in 2015, the organization claimed they saw a huge surge of private donations.[5] In 2017, after longstanding opposition from the left-wing parties, the centre-right political parties Liberal Party, Christian Democratic Party, and some politicians from Conservative Party also tried to stop further funding of HRS, but they still got NOK 1.835.000 in state funding.[6][7] In September 2021, after increasing criticism and opposition to its work from several political parties,[1] it was announced that the state would cease funding HRS.[8]

HRS has been praised by Ayaan Hirsi Ali.[9] American writer Bruce Bawer has formerly worked for the organization.[10][11] The website of the organisation has long been considered to promote the Eurabia theory of Bat Ye'or.[12] Previously, since 2007, the site also published works by the counter-jihad blogger Fjordman through its former employee Jens Tomas Anfindsen[13] who also attended the 2007 counter-jihad conference in Brussels.[14] HRS has later distanced itself from Bat Ye'or, the Eurabia theory and Fjordman.[15] The organisation has however still been considered to have a counter-jihad character, though more subtle than others.[16]

The organization has seen controversy as a result of criticism by immigrant women formerly affiliated with the organization, including former employee Amal Aden criticizing some of its alleged work methods.[17][18] Aden gave a formal complaint to the police,[19] but the police later dropped the case due to insufficient capacity.[20]

References
  1. "Human Rights Service". Store norske leksikon (in Norwegian). 23 September 2015.
  2. "Om HRS". Human Rights Service (in Norwegian).
  3. "Statsstøtte til omstridt organisasjon". Utrop (in Norwegian). 11 December 2002.
  4. "Human Rights Service mister kommunal støtte". Nettavisen (in Norwegian). 23 September 2015.
  5. "Hege Storhaug: - Vi får så mye støtte at vi ikke klarer å ta unna". Nettavisen (in Norwegian). 6 October 2015.
  6. "Venstre og KrF lot Human Rights Service beholde millionstøtten". Aftenposten (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2018-04-17.
  7. NRK. "HRS-støtten overlevde budsjettkampen". NRK (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2018-04-17.
  8. Mjaaland, Ola; Rønning, Mats; Strømme, Simen Hunding (22 September 2021). "Fjerner støtten til Human Rights Service: – En skammens dag, sier Storhaug". NRK (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  9. Ali, Ayaan Hirsi (26 August 2006). "Women the Future of Freedom". American Enterprise Institute.
  10. Bawer, Bruce (21 October 2009). "Bruce Bawer joins forces with HRS". Human Rights Service. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  11. Redaksjonen, Tekst (2015-01-07). "Hege Storhaug: – Jeg er helt vill etter frihet!". NATT&DAG (in Norwegian Bokmål). Retrieved 2021-03-30.
  12. Sedgwick, Mark (2019). Key Thinkers of the Radical Right: Behind the New Threat to Liberal Democracy. Oxford University. ISBN 9780190877613.
  13. "Sannheten om da HRS hyllet Fjordman". Manifest Tidsskrift (in Norwegian). 6 August 2021.
  14. "Counter Jihad Brussels: 18-19 October 2007". International Civil Liberties Alliance. 20 October 2007.
  15. Strømmen, Øyvind (9 August 2011). "Storhaugs dårlige hukommelse". Dagbladet (in Norwegian).
  16. Rogers, Richard (2013). Right-Wing Formations In Europe And Their Countermeasures: An Online Mapping (PDF). Govcom.org Foundation. p. 56.
  17. Glomnes, Lars Molteberg (7 July 2009). "– Var det opp til meg, ville de ikke fått støtte". Dagbladet (in Norwegian). Retrieved 17 December 2010.
  18. "Bryter med sine allierte". VG (in Norwegian). 28 February 2004.
  19. "- Hun satte livet mitt på spill". Dagbladet.no (in Norwegian). 2009-07-02. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
  20. "- Tar HRS-påstander alvorlig". Dagbladet.no (in Norwegian). 2009-07-29. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
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