The Government's international work to promote democracy and the rule of law

Today, more people than ever are living in democracies where universal suffrage and regular, genuine elections are the norm. However, the quality and sustainability of these democracies are increasingly at risk, even in Europe and among some of our partners.

Free and fair elections, the right to vote, and the existence of independent political parties are essential for proper political representation. Each year, Norway sends long-term and short-term observers, through the OSCE (in OSCE countries) and the EU (in the rest of the world), to monitor elections. This important work is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Norcap/Nordem. The government also supports International IDEA, an intergovernmental organization that measures and supports democracy worldwide.

Equally important is what happens in between elections. The Government is dedicated to strengthening civil society, freedom of assembly and association, freedom of expression, and independent media. We work to uphold the rule of law, protect the rights of vulnerable groups, promote good governance, fight corruption, and support democracy and civic education. You can learn more about these efforts on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ other websites.

Stable democracies should not be taken for granted—they can face setbacks quickly, and we must act to prevent and address them. In these efforts, it is vital for Norway to cooperate with multilateral organizations like the UN and the Council of Europe, as well as with civil society. Our actions are part of a larger global framework.

Government Areas of Focus:

• Promoting democracy based on the rule of law, including an independent judiciary.
• Contributing to fair and effective legal systems that respect human rights.
• Facilitating due process and transparency in courts, particularly through trial observation and support for court management.
• Assisting in developing national regulatory and control bodies.
• Supporting experts in rule of law, democracy, and human rights through international organizations (e.g. OSCE, EU, UN).
• Encourage national authorities to respect and promote freedom of assembly and association, both in law and in practice, in line with their international commitments.
• Supporting media independence, combating censorship, and promoting public access to information.
• Contribute to protecting and strengthening civic space and framework conditions for civil society.
• Working to ensure women have equal rights in political and economic participation, including rights to contracts, land ownership, and inheritance.
• Combatting corruption in the government, judiciary, and public administration.
• Raising awareness of human rights, especially by supporting educators, justice sector professionals, civil society, and free media.