The findings contain the Committee’s main concerns and recommendations on the implementation of the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, as well as positive aspects. Key highlights include:
“While welcoming the steps taken by the State party to strengthen its legal and institutional frameworks to search for disappeared persons and investigate their alleged disappearance, the Committee was concerned about the absence of detailed information and results from the investigation conducted by authorities into the disappearances of at least 369 minor asylum seekers from designated reception centres between 2015 and 2024.
The Committee also highlighted the importance to strengthen the mechanisms in place to prevent such disappearances and to protect children seeking asylum from enforced disappearance, including in the context of trafficking in persons. In that perspective, it asked the State party to take immediate measures, such as setting up periodic follow-up visits and controls of reception centres, and to thoroughly investigate the disappearance of unaccompanied young asylum-seekers from such centres.
The Committee also expressed concern about the absence of a potential referral mechanism between the Norwegian Tater/Romani Committee, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and criminal authorities to conduct investigations on reported past practices of forced removal of children to institutions and foster homes, forced resettlement of adults to labour colonies and other practices that may amount to enforced disappearances.
It called on the State party to establish mechanisms to conduct judicial investigations into the practices and acts that may have constituted or led to enforced disappearance and adopt adequate remedies for the victims. It also urged Norway to provide for an adequate implementation of the recommendations of the Norwegian Tater/Romani Committee and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.”
Source: OHCHR