What we do
The ombudsman is an alternative to court proceedings in cases of discrimination, and is a low threshold option that is easily accessible. Those who believe they have been exposed to discrimination can receive advice and guidance from us. The goal of the guidance is for them to be able to resolve the problem. If this isn’t successful, we can treat the matter as a complaint case. In complaint proceedings, we provide an opinion (a conclusion) on whether or not discrimination has occurred.
The ombudsman has the responsibility of ensuring that Norwegian law corresponds with the UN’s Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), Convention on Racial Discrimination (CERD) and Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Hanne Inger Bjurstrøm is the equality and discrimination Ombudsman.
Goals and vision
The equality and anti-discrimination ombudsman has the vision of a society where power and influence is spread equally, freedom is available to all, and dignity is inherent to each individual.
All equality and freedom from discrimination hinge on having the power to define for oneself what is important, the power to influence, take control and realise one’s dreams. Knowledge of one’s own rights and opportunities is a prerequisite for real power and influence.
Freedom is a prerequisite to be one's self and to realise one’s potential, whether it concerns economic freedom, freedom from violence, freedom of movement, freedom of religion or freedom to make one’s own decisions. Equality is not about being the same, but about valuing who one is and the choices one makes.
Equality is all about ensuring that all people, regardless of who they are, are treated equally.
LDO is here to help you
We provide advice and guidance by telephone, letter and email, and you can meet with us in person at Mariboesgate 13 in Oslo. Dialogue with us is entirely informal, and you may contact us anonymously if you so choose. Our services are free.
We can also deal with complaint cases. We will then evaluate your case legally and make a statement about whether or not discrimination has occurred. We’ll then ask for a report from you and from the individual you believe has exposed you to discrimination. In complaint case proceedings, the individual about whom you’ve filed a complaint will know who you are, you cannot be anonymous.
The complaint should describe how the discrimination occurred. You should also submit documentation (emails, letters, memos), which show that you have been treated less favourably because of discrimination.
Contact LDO
You can contact us via our encrypted contact forms with secured data and privacy protection.
You can find more information about e-ID here.
