Norway is being accused of racism due to alleged police profiling in a new lawsuit from Amnesty International, marking the first time Amnesty has sued the Norwegian state for racism.
“This is a case that is not just about the rights of one person, but about structural challenges in how the state meets its obligations to protect against racism and discrimination,” announced the secretary general of Amnesty International Norway, John Peder Egenes, according to a press release.
The case concerns Awon Amidu from Trondheim, who Amnesty alleges has been subject to harassment and discrimination for years by police in the city.
According to Norwegian outlet NRK, Amnesty claims that “Skin color has never been cited as the cause. But there is little doubt that ethnicity is the cause,”
“Awon Amidus experiences show how ethnic profiling not only affects individuals but also undermines legal certainty. As a party aid, Amnesty wants to ensure that the case receives the necessary attention and legal weight,” writes Egenes.
Amnesty is now bringing the case to court together with Amidu and directing their lawsuit at the Ministry of Justice at the federal level, due to its supervisory rule in the Norwegian criminal justice system.
Popular streamer IShowSpeed was viciously attacked by migrant youth in Norway, leading him to say: "I'm never f**king coming back to this country."
In this footage, someone is seen ripping his hair out while he is pressed against the massive crowd. pic.twitter.com/VGjIxVB8ky
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) July 4, 2024They point out that the police have observed Amidu over long periods of time in a civilian vehicle and “carried out disproportionately invasive checks.”
Amidu has complained to the police and reported the situation to the Special Unit, which was upheld by the Discrimination Board, Amnesty writes, yet he has been denied redress.
The Board issued a decision stating that “Trondelag police district discriminates against Awon Amidu because of ethnicity.”
However, the authority also said that adding information about Amidu to an intelligence database did not constitute discrimination. It also found that the police are not actively harassing him.
“The only way to get the compensation he is entitled to is to bring a lawsuit against the state. The lawsuit may provide principled clarifications on the responsibility of the authorities to repair such violations,” said Emilie Hulthin, a lawyer representing Armidu, in the press release.
“We have too little knowledge of this lawsuit and since it looks like it is the Justice Department they are suing, it is not right that we speak out,” the police chief in the Trondelg police district, Nils Kristian Moe, told NRK.
As is often the case with such lawsuits, Amnesty International may be looking for broad systemic changes to result from the case that go far beyond Armidu.
“It is about trust in the police, the rule of law and that we as a society take human rights and racism seriously. Awon Amidu has been in this for many years, and his struggle is important to highlight weaknesses in the Norwegian legal system,” writes Egenes in the press release.
Amnesty pointed to the zones being set up in Norway, which will allow police to search people without suspicion or evidence, which are similar to laws implemented in Sweden and Denmark. In Denmark, these zones have become permanent, while in Sweden, they run for two weeks at a time.
The Norwegian zones are being set up more on the Swedish model, which will only be introduced temporarily in response to threats.
The goal is to deal with crime hot spots and take guns and knives off the streets.
Critics like Amnesty International argue the new zones violate human rights and will allow police to commit racial profiling.
Some users on X have pointed out that Norway’s crime epidemic is largely fueled by foreigners.
“Amnesty is suing the Norwegian state for discrimination due to ‘ethnic profiling.’ Well, immigrants are more criminal than Norwegians. It’s a fact. They are suing the state because the police are doing their job properly,” wrote Norwegian journalist Rebecca Mistereggen.
“Statistics from SSB (2020–2023) show that children of immigrants (second generation) commit even more violent crimes than their parents. Second-generation Somalis, Moroccans and Iraqis have a crime rate 7-9 times higher than Norwegian men. It’s the same for Sweden: A study from BRÅ in Sweden shows that children of immigrants often have higher crime rates than their parents,” she added.
Amnesty is suing the Norwegian state for discrimination due to “ethnic profiling”.
Well, immigrants are more criminal than Norwegians. It’s a fact. They are suing the state because the police are doing their job properly. 
Ps. Statistics from SSB (2020–2023) show that… https://t.co/0eCdXhWZL6 pic.twitter.com/3wUgOuh1Ub
— Rebecca Mistereggen (@RMistereggen) February 11, 2025
