Four days after the massacres in Norway, Matt Drudge has made a startling discovery:
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This is true. Had Drudge watched Michael Moore, he could have learned this shocking fact a long time ago:
You will notice that the Conservative MP, Inge Lønning, makes the point that Norway does not want the death penalty. No party or responsible politician in Norway would even dream of suggesting it, not even the most right wing politician. Norway is also prevented by law to extradite prisoners to countries where they may receive the death penalty.
Lønning also makes the point that the maximum sentence is 21 years, and thus, that there is no life sentence. This is partly true, but not completely accurate. I’ve seen many, especially right wing, papers and commentators make the point that Breivik may be released in a few years. This is completely misleading. Let me clarify:
The maximum “regular” penalty in Norway is in principle 21 years. Also, the prisoner usually serves only 2/3 of his sentence before being paroled, i.e. a of a 21 year sentence, most often, only 14 years are served. Furthermore, sentences are not added up, so you cannot get f.i. 76 sentences of 21 years each.
The lack of draconian penalties is a good thing. Norway has a very low crime rate and the recidivism rate is only about 20%.
This doesn’t mean that Breivik will, or should, ever be released.
In 2002 the penalty of "forvaring" (preventive detention) was introduced in Norway. This means that in certain cases an original sentence may be extended if a prisoner is deemed to remain a threat to society. Thus, in principle, a person may be imprisoned for life. This is likely to happen in this case.
Also, the prosecutor is now considering charging Breivik with crimes against humanity. Under legislation passed recently, this would mean a possible 30 year sentence, rather than 21 years.
So -- how will Norway change?
While I’ve never really been a big fan of patriotism in a political context – I believe morality should generally be a more important motivation for action than political or heritage based loyalty – the positive patriotism displayed when a nation comes together in times of crisis or shock is a bit different. It makes you reflect upon what kind of values you identify with, and you realize the importance of things that you normally may take for granted.
The fact that Norway’s police are in principle unarmed is something I feel is truly important. I almost feel a bit proud of it. If this changes, Norway will have moved in the wrong direction.
What I fear the most is that the attacks will change the fabric of Norwegian society. I hope that won’t happen. I hope Norway will remain a country where the police are unarmed; where draconian penalties do not really exist (that is, with the exception of drug prohibition, which is a tragic and immoral policy); where the introduction of the death penalty is unthinkable; where people generally trust each other; where everyone is free to have opinions and ideas, including the controversial and even the hurtful and hateful ones.
As I’m typing, I’m happy to see our Minister of Justice on TV declaring that the government will not raise the national threat level, even in the face of this disastrous terrorism attack – and that hateful ideas must be met by openness and debate.
I remain convinced that inclusion and openness are the best way to tackle intolerance and extremism, as the hateful ideologies will have a harder time gaining credibility. We must make it obvious to everyone that Norway in fact manifests the opposite of the alleged totalitarianism that nationalist extremists -- in their own twisted way -- claim to oppose.
This means that while we do our utmost to prevent violence and show our disgust for political extremism, we must avoid suppression of opinion. We must be prepared to debate the few who share Breivik's most extremist ideas, as well as the many who inspired him -- whether that inspiration has come through divisive demagoguery, fear mongering, historical revisionism or the use of hateful nationalist symbolism.
-LL Oslo
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
