Un committee on the (CERD) have the task to monitor member states compliance with the united nations convention against racial discrimination. Every fourth year is signaturstatene eksaminert and the conditions commented. In a recent landrapport about Norway expresses committee concern over the racist and neo-nazi organizations have become more visible in social media and through demonstrations. The united nations is also concerned that “Norway has not declared organisations that promote and encourage racial hatred illegal, in line with their obligations”. Also previously CERD expressed that it is mandatory for the Uk to prohibit such organizations.
There is no way in the first time that this question has come up for debate. How the community as a whole relate to racist speech, actions, and organizations is a matter of great importance. The starting point must be a recognition of that skepticism, stamping, hatred and discrimination against minorities is a significant problem that in no way is resolved. There is also no reason to hide the fact that muslims are an especially vulnerable group when it comes to negative generalizations and prejudices. But also other minorities are affected, not least the sami people and jews. It is both the government’s and the individual’s responsibility to change this situation.
neo-nazis and other fascist groups have re-emerged in the public, political space. F. ex. has the clearly nazi and anti-semitic organization The nordic resistance movement is highlighted through demonstrations and punktaksjoner. In Norway it is a question of a few tens of people, but the tidas political climate makes it important to keep good preparedness and to combat the ideas such groups stand for. It is best done and most effectively by the ordinary democratic methods, i.e. the sharp and open speech.
However, we do not believe that a ban will have any good effect. On the contrary, it will help to ensure that such groups go under the ground, become invisible and organize themselves illegal. The penal code also has provisions that affect specific racial slurs and actions committed by individuals or more in the community. We believe nevertheless that the legal line in the fight against racism has limited effect. The most important thing will always be a broad popular mobilization that enables racism, hatred and discrimination is unacceptable among most people. The last few years, this struggle weakened, which bl.a. reflected in social media. To reverse this trend is task number one.
