The Norwegian parliament has apologised unreservedly to minority groups and Indigenous people for more than a century of historical injustices committ

Norway apologises to Sami, Forest Finns and Kvens for forced assimilation policy

submited by
Style Pass
2024-11-13 17:30:05

The Norwegian parliament has apologised unreservedly to minority groups and Indigenous people for more than a century of historical injustices committed against them as part of its “Norwegianisation” policy.

The forced assimilation policy – which included state-run boarding schools that banned minority languages and the forced relocation of whole villages – pursued by Norwegian authorities dated back to the 18th century and became official policy from 1851. Although parts were phased out in the 1960s, much of the policy continued into the 1980s.

The apology on Tuesday to the Sami, Kvens and Forest Finns by the Norwegian parliament, known as Storting, came after the publication of a report by the truth and reconciliation commission last year.

Last week, the commission submitted its recommendations, which included that Storting “express its deepest regret” for the abuses and its “active role” in the policy that led to them.

Leave a Comment