Knut Storberget: A Critical Assessment of His Role in Norwegian Politics

Introduction

Knut Storberget is a Norwegian politician who served as Minister of Justice and Public Security from 2005 to 2011. He is a member of the Labour Party and has been a Member of Parliament since 1993. Storberget has been a controversial figure throughout his career, and his time as Minister of Justice was no exception. He has been praised for his work on crime prevention and his commitment to human rights, but he has also been criticized for his handling of several high-profile cases.

Early Life and Career

Knut Storberget was born in Steinkjer, Norway, in 1964. He studied law at the University of Oslo and worked as a lawyer before entering politics. He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament in 1993 and served as a member of the Standing Committee on Justice and Public Security. In 2005, he was appointed Minister of Justice and Public Security by Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg.

Minister of Justice and Public Security

As Minister of Justice, Storberget oversaw a number of important changes to the Norwegian justice system. He introduced a new penal code that reduced the use of imprisonment and increased the use of community-based sentences. He also reformed the police force, making it more efficient and accountable. Storberget was a strong advocate for human rights and played a key role in Norway's ratification of the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture.

Controversies

Storberget's time as Minister of Justice was not without controversy. He was criticized for his handling of the 2011 terror attacks in Norway, which killed 77 people. Some critics accused him of being too slow to respond to the attacks and of failing to prevent them. Storberget was also criticized for his handling of the case of Anders Behring Breivik, the perpetrator of the attacks. Breivik was sentenced to 21 years in prison, but some critics argued that he should have been given a life sentence.

Later Career

Storberget stepped down as Minister of Justice in 2011 and was replaced by Grete Faremo. He remained a member of Parliament and served as the Labour Party's spokesman on justice issues. In 2013, he was appointed County Governor of Innlandet. He held this position until 2021, when he retired from politics.

Legacy

Knut Storberget is a complex and controversial figure. He has been praised for his work on crime prevention and his commitment to human rights, but he has also been criticized for his handling of several high-profile cases. His legacy will likely be debated for many years to come.