Norway
Norway has detailed counterterrorism legislation in place in its Criminal Code. There is no carve-out for the exercise of fundamental human rights.
The Definition of Terrorism in Domestic Law
Section 131 of the Norwegian Penal Code criminalizes a terrorist act as one of a list of predicate criminal offences when committed with "terrorist intent".
Terrorist intent exists if an act as specified in the first paragraph is committed with the intention of
a. seriously disrupting a function of vital importance to society, such as a legislative, executive or judicial authority, energy supply, reliable supply of food or water, the banking and monetary system or medical services and disease control,
b. causing serious fear in a population, or
c. wrongfully compelling public authorities or an intergovernmental organisation to perform, submit to or omit to do something of substantial importance to the country or the organisation, or to another country or intergovernmental organisation.S. 131(2), Criminal Code of Norway.
Adherence to Global and Regional Terrorism Treaties
Norway is a State Party to all of the main United Nations treaties on terrorism.
| Treaty | Adherence |
|---|---|
| 1973 Convention on Crimes against Internationally Protected Persons | State Party |
| 1979 Hostage-Taking Convention | State Party |
| 1997 Terrorist Bombings Convention | State Party |
| 1999 Terrorist Financing Convention | State Party |
| 2005 Nuclear Terrorism Convention | State Party |
Norway is also a State Party to most of the main regional treaties on terrorism.
| Treaty | Adherence |
|---|---|
| 1977 European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism | State Party |
| 2003 Protocol amending the European Convention on the Suppression of Terrorism | State Party |
| 2005 Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism | State Party |
| 2015 Additional Protocol to the Convention on the Prevention of Terrorism | Signatory |
Laws and Penalties for Terrorist Offences
Under the Criminal Code, the maximum penalty for terrorist offences is generally 21 years' imprisonment.S. 131(1), Criminal Code of Norway.The penalty for "aggravated" terrorist offences is imprisonment for a term not exceeding 30 years.
In determining whether the terrorist act is aggravated, particular weight shall be given to whether it
a. has caused the loss of several human lives or very extensive destruction of property or the environment, or an especially high risk thereof,
b. has been committed using particularly harmful means,
c. has been committed by a person who by virtue of his/her position enjoys special trust which may be exploited to commit a terrorist act.S. 132, Criminal Code of Norway.
Counterterrorism Capacities and Policies at Domestic Level
Norway's police has dedicated counterterrorism expertise.
Glossary
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