human rights
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Iceland Foreign Ministry Publishes Travel Advisory For LGBTQ+ People
The Foreign Ministry has published a travel advisory aimed at LGBTQ+ people, encouraging travellers to be mindful of the attitudes found in other countries. Compared to Iceland, views towards queer identities are different in other parts of the world, the ministry states,…
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The New York Times Report On Forced Sterilisations Of Disabled Women In Iceland
The New York Times published an investigative report on November 25 on the practice of forced sterilisation of disabled women across Europe. The report specifically focuses on the stories of Icelandic women who have undergone sterilisation at teh request of their caretakers,…
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Alþingi Passes Controversial Immigration Law
Alþingi passed a bill on international refugees Wednesday evening, with all members of the coalition government parties – the Independence Party, the Progressive Party and the Left Greens – voting in favour. All members of the Centrist Party and the People’s party…
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PHOTOS: Icelanders Protest Against Deportations
Hundreds of Icelanders gathered in front of Parliament yesterday to protest against the deportation of over a dozen people seeking international protection, including a family of five and a man who must use a wheelchair, all from Iraq. As reported, all of…
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Counter Anti-Queer Extremism By Fighting Hate Crimes, Listening To Affected Individuals
Violence and hate crimes against queer people and the LGBTQ+ community have been prominent around this year’s Pride festival. Notably, Oslo pride was canceled this year because of a shooting shortly before at a popular gay club. [su_pullquote]To celebrate reaching 200 RVK…
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Changes To Law On Foreigners In The Works, Stricter Measures For Asylum Seekers Proposed
A draft of a bill from the Ministry of Justice proposing a number of changes to the Law On Foreigners expands police powers, evokes compulsory medical procedures, and gives veto rights to the chair and vice chair of the Immigration Appeals Board,…
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Minister Of Foreign Affairs Addresses UN General Assembly
Guðlaugur Þór Þórðarson, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development of Iceland, addressed the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly yesterday, Vísir reports. Due to the pandemic, participation in the the session took place both online and in person. The…
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Claims Of Human Rights Violations In Primary Schools
Claims have been levied against Icelandic primary schools for neglecting to provide appropriate educational services to students with disabilities. Claims of negligence The claims arose on a Facebook page, Sagan okkar, encouraging parents to share their experiences navigating the primary school system…
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Passage Of Bills Protecting Intersex Children And Others All But Certain
Every party in Parliament except one voted in favour of three bills, submitted by the Prime Minister’s office, which will help protect intersex children and increase rights for trans children if passed into law, RÚV reports. As reported, the bills in question…
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Protestor Denied Right To Appeal Based On Widely Criticised Law
An Icelandic protestor was earlier this month denied an appeal of a judgement issued by the Reykjavík District Court, which had found him guilty of violating Article 19 of the Law on Police. This law has been repeatedly criticised as unconstitutional by…
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City of Reykjavík’s Human Rights Award Presented To Solaris
Vísir reports that refugee rights organisation Solaris have won this year’s City of Reykjavík Human Rights Award. The organisation will receive 600,000 ISK for their efforts to “remarkably safeguarded human rights”. Solaris is a relief organisation that was founded by Sema Erla…
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Chairman Of Family Aid Criticised For Discrimination And Xenophobia
Vísir reports that a number of former clients and volunteers have come forward with their experiences of discrimination and degrading treatment at Iceland Family Aid (Fjölskyldahjálp), on the basis of religion and nationality. The chairman of Family Aid has been said to…
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Icelandic Politicians Respond To ECHR Grand Chamber Ruling
Response for Icelandic politicians—both in the government and the opposition—to today’s European Court of Human Rights Grand Chamber ruling that former Minister of Justice Sigríður Á Andersen (above) broke European human rights law in her appointment of judges to the Appeals Court…
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Proposal To Allow Europeans To Have Abortions In Iceland
A parliamentary proposal is being made by several MPs to allow those who are unable to have abortions in their home countries to have the procedure done in Iceland instead, Vísir reports. Rósa Björk Brynjólfsdóttir, along with eighteen other MPs, are making…
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Children Present Human Rights Report To UN
A children’s report on the state of human rights in Iceland has been presented to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, Vísir reports. The report was prepared with the help of children and young people across Iceland in…
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Iceland-Backed UN Report Condemns Filipino Government’s War On Drugs
A UN investigation backed by Iceland has condemned the Filipino government’s ‘war on drugs’ that has caused thousands of deaths. Iceland spearheaded a UN resolution criticising the Filipino drug crackdown and calling for a report into possible human rights violations in June…
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Iceland And The Philippines In Diplomatic Row: “Sons Of Whores”, Says Duterte
Shortly after Iceland initiated a UN resolution condemning Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte’s violent “war on drugs,” Duterte hit back with some choice words of his own about Iceland. The United Nations Human Rights Council approved a resolution last week, which calls upon…
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Björk Amongst Performers At “Techno 4 Refugees” This Evening – UPDATED
Music and solidarity are the themes of tonight’s “Techno 4 Refugees” event, an extension of protests which have been ongoing through March. While Fréttablaðið initially confirmed that Björk will be one of the performers at the event, we have received word that…
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Women’s Day Off Sparks Controversy
On 24 October, thousands of women walked out of their jobs to protest sexual harassment, the persistent income gap, and other forms of gender-based discrimination. They gathered at Arnarhöll in central Reykjavík under the slogan of “Don’t Change Women, Change the World.”…
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City Investigating Discrimination Claim Against Reykjavík Pool By Trans Man
City officials are currently investigating a possible case of discrimination against a trans man who sought to use a city pool’s showers but was told “we can’t guarantee you won’t get into trouble”. The incident may have been a violation of Reykjavík’s…
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No, Icelanders Are Not Required To Abort Fetuses With Down Syndrome
A recent CBS report on Iceland’s pre-natal policies has sparked sharp criticism of the country from American conservatives, among them Republican senator Ted Cruz and former Alaska governor Sarah Palin. CEO of deCODE Kári Stefánsson responded to their complaints this morning. The…
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Icelandic Football Association Demands FIFA Upholds Human Rights
Guðni Bergsson, the president of the Icelandic Football Association, has co-authored a letter with his Nordic colleges to FIFA, demanding that the human rights of North Korean men working on the Zenit Arena in St Petersburg be ensured. In an in-depth reportage…
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“Protect Human Rights” Gathering To Coincide With Robert Spencer Lecture
Icelanders are planning to gather peaceably at Grand Hotel next Thursday, at the same time and place that Robert Spencer will be holding a lecture about the supposed dangers of Islam. The event in question, “Protect Human Rights”, is meant to serve…