NORWAY
CONFIDENTIAL
Report by HM Embassy, Oslo
General Observations
The Norwegian Constitution of 17 May 1814 enshrines the rights of Norwegian citizens and provides the basis for rule of law. It is highly prized by Norwegian citizens, jealously guarded by the Storting and the free Norwegian press is its watchdog.
Right No.
(i)
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No-one may be arrested and detained in prison except in cases stated by law and only in the way prescribed by law. For unwarranted arrest or unlawful detainment the person con- cerned will be held responsible to the detained. Pre-trial detention in gaol can be imposed only by ju- dicial order.
0
(ii)
The practice of torture would not be tolerated.
O
(iii)
Slavery does not exist within Norway.
(iv)
There is complete freedom of ex- pression and the media are subjected to no controls other than those re- quired to protect morality and public decency.
O
(+)
The independence of the judiciary is guaranteed by the Constitution.
O
(vi)
Trade Union freedom is guaranteed by law.
O
(vii)
The freedom to emigrate is enjoyed by all Norwegians and exercised by
O
many.
CONFIDENTIAL