March 18Crown Prince Haakon visits Human Rights Court in Strasbourg
On Monday, His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon of Norway visited the Human Rights Court in Strasbourg. The reason for the visit was to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Council of Europe. This year also marks 60 years since the European Court of Human Rights was established. Crown Prince Haakon talked to the Court and the Council during his stay where he emphasised Norway’s strong and sustained support to the Court and the Human Rights Convention.
Crown Prince Haakon began the day meeting with the Norwegian Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Thorbjørn Jagland. The Crown Prince then learned more about Norwegian Judge Rolv Ryssdal – the longest serving President of the Court from 1985 to 1998. He is honoured with a bust in the Court’s hall.
Before his visit to the Human Rights Court, the Crown Prince visited the European Youth Centre. The centre encourages youth and youth organisations to come together, participate in political processes and influence social development. The Crown Prince heard about the centre’s history and the work they do.
The Council of Europe was founded 70 years ago, primarily as a peace project. The European Convention on Human Rights was adopted in 1950. It establishes a number of critical human rights, such as the right to life, freedom of expression and religious freedom, property rights and privacy. It prohibits torture and degrading treatment, slavery and the death penalty.
he Crown Prince at the bust of Judge Rolv Ryssdal.
