News

Greta Thunberg twice detained by police at anti-wind farm protest | World News


Greta Thunberg has twice been detained during protests in Oslo over an onshore wind farm that she and activists say interferes with the rights of indigenous Sami people to breed reindeer in the Norwegian Arctic.

The 20-year-old Swedish environmental campaigner and hundreds of other protesters say the transition to green energy should not harm indigenous rights and have demanded the removal of 151 wind turbines from the land. used by Sami breeders.

“We want to make it clear that it is the Norwegian state that is committing the real crime here, for human rights violations,” she told Reuters news agency, minutes before being deported.

The protests – led by Young Friends of The Earth Norway and the Norwegian Sami Association’s NSR-Nuorat youth council – forced the country’s Energy Minister Terje Aasland to cancel an official visit to the UK. .

In October 2021, Norway’s supreme court ruled that the turbines, erected on two wind farms in Fosen and part of Europe’s largest onshore wind power complex, had violate the rights of the Sami under international conventions.

However, they are still active more than 16 months later.

Mr Aasland said that although the court ruled the construction of the wind farm was invalid, the court did not say anything about what would happen to it.

He told broadcaster NRK that the government must “make new decisions in line with the Supreme Court’s ruling”.

The energy department said it hoped to find a compromise, but it could take another 12 months.

Holding the red, blue, yellow and green Sami flag – Ms Thunberg was lifted and carried away by police officers from the finance ministry on Wednesday while hundreds of other protesters chanted slogans as they block the entrance to some government buildings.

Campaigners block the entrance to the Department of Oil and Energy with Greta Thunberg.  Photo: NTB/Ole Berg-Rusten via Reuters
Image:
Campaigners block the entrance to the Department of Oil and Energy with Greta Thunberg. Photo: NTB/Ole Berg-Rusten via Reuters

She and other protesters also blocked the entrance to the climate and environment ministry. Ms. Thunberg was removed and detained by the police a second time, and was again later released.

Some activists donned traditional bright Sami clothing and set up tents used by Arctic people.

Read more:
Britons pay hundreds of millions to turn off wind turbines
Emergency landing for the dream of ‘sinless flight’?
As the Earth warms, it’s time to explore the reflection of sunlight back into space, says UN

Please use Chrome browser for more accessible video player

Daily climate program: Gas energy is used on the windiest days

The Sami live in Lapland, stretching from northern Norway through Sweden and Finland to Russia.

Today, the nomadic people mostly live a modern lifestyle but still tend to breed reindeer.

They say the sight and sound of the giant wind-powered machine scares their animals and breaks long-standing traditions.

Click to subscribe to ClimateCast with Tom Heap wherever you get your podcasts

news7f

News7F: Update the world's latest breaking news online of the day, breaking news, politics, society today, international mainstream news .Updated news 24/7: Entertainment, Sports...at the World everyday world. Hot news, images, video clips that are updated quickly and reliably

Related Articles

Back to top button