Lögberg-Heimskringla - 01.04.2019, Qupperneq 3

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Lögberg-Heimskringla • 1. apríl 2019 • 3
Þórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir
assumed responsibility as
Iceland’s interim justice
minister on March 15. She will
continue to serve concurrently as
minister of tourism, industry and
innovation. Þórdís took over the
justice portfolio from Sigríður
Á. Andersen, who stepped aside
because of concern that her
presence might disrupt
decisions within the
ministry. Her resignation
followed in the wake
of the European Court
of Human Rights’
(ECHR) ruling that the
appointment of judges
to Iceland’s Landsréttur
(National Court of
Appeals) was not in
accordance with the act
on the court. Both ministers
are members of Alþingi
from the Independence Party.
Þórdis believes it is important to appeal the ECHR’s judgment.
She said that the decision was her responsibility. “The decision to
appeal the judgment was of course under consideration since the
judgment came down. However, my clear determination is that
we shall appeal. This involves so many interests that I consider
this necessary,” she said, noting that the ECHR’s decision had no
precedent. “The judgement is split, and, in my view, the minority
opinion expresses such criticism that it is normal to test it at a
higher level of the ECHR.” However, the new justice minister said
it was important to proceed cautiously to safeguard the values of
the tripartite division of state power. “The case relates to one of the
basic foundations of society – our justice system. It is essential to
proceed cautiously when it comes to the legislative and executive
powers trying to clarify matters more rapidly. We must consider
avoiding an increase in legal uncertainty and work through issues
systematically and thoughtfully.”
RÚV, the national broadcaster, reports that Prime Minister
Katrín Jakobsdóttir wants to consult a foreign specialist on whether
to appeal the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights to
the Grand Chamber. She noted that the judgment was unprecedented
and that it was impossible to construe it unambiguously in light of
court’s divided opinions. The prime minister and new justice minister
planned to meet with the chairs of all parties in Alþingi to review the
situation. The prime minister did not know when the decision would
be made, but she said that the case had absolute priority. The period
to appeal the judgment to the upper chamber will expire in less than
three months. “I think there are very many noteworthy questions
for the upper chamber to answer, and I do not view it as a political
message to ECHR as some people would construe it. Rather, it is a
fact that this judgment is unprecedented,” she said.
“The ECHR’s ruling obviously has serious implications for the
work of Landsréttur. We see this best from the judges’ suspension
of all cases, and they await, as they must under Icelandic law, a
declaration of their competence,” said the prime minister.
The ECHR ruled that the appointment of judges to the new
court in Iceland violated provisions of the European Convention for
the Protection of Human Rights. However, two of the judges wrote
a sharply worded dissent. The former justice minister, Sigríður Á.
Andresen, said that the Supreme Court of Iceland had ruled that the
appointment of the judges had been lawful even though it held that its
administration was not good enough. No judgement, in either Iceland
or abroad, had concluded that the judges in Landsréttur were not
qualified. The former minister had appointed the judges to Landsréttur
and Alþingi approved their appointment. Landsréttur subsequently
decided to suspend court cases.
Reprinted with permission from Icelandic News Briefs,
published by KOM PR.
Seattle’s Nordic Museum is now officially
the National Nordic Museum. This new
designation is a tribute to the vision and
hard work of the museum’s founders, volunteers,
staff, and community members in creating this
landmark institution celebrating Nordic history
and culture, as well as the ways in which Nordic
ideas and innovation respond to today’s challenges
and opportunities.
Spearheaded by Washington Senator Maria
Cantwell, the legislation designating the museum
as the National Nordic Museum passed the United
States Senate on February 12. The U.S. House
of Representatives approved the designation two
weeks later as part of a comprehensive public
lands package. The package, including the
National Nordic Museum designation, was then
signed into law by the president in March.
“We appreciate the work that Senator Cantwell
and the entire Washington State delegation have
done to make this national designation possible,”
said Eric Nelson, executive director and CEO of
the Nordic Museum. “This national designation
does not require any taxpayer dollars, but it will
help us to reach more people and build stronger
economic and cultural bonds between the Nordic
region and the United State, particularly here in
Washington State where one
out of every 8 residents claims
Nordic heritage.” However,
its designation as the National
Nordic Museum will strengthen
the museum’s ability to generate
support from the private sector
and Nordic institutions to
advance its mission.
The National Nordic
Museum is the only museum in
the United States that showcases
the impact and influence of
Nordic values and innovation
in contemporary society and
tells the story of 12,000 years
of Nordic history and culture,
across all five Nordic countries:
Denmark, Finland, Iceland,
Norway, and Sweden, as well
as the autonomous areas of Greenland, the Faroe
Islands, the Åland Islands, and the Sápmi region
of Northern Europe.
The museum recently relocated to a stunning
new home in the heart of Seattle’s Ballard
neighborhood, and has generated regional,
national and international acclaim.
“This National Nordic Museum designation is
a wonderful tribute to all of the time and energy
and resources our community has put into this
institution over the past 40 years,” Nelson said.
“We look forward to using this designation to
increase economic and cultural ties with the
Nordic countries, and attracting more tourism and
economic activity and world-class exhibitions and
programming to Seattle and Washington State in
general.”
The museum’s mission is to share Nordic
culture with people of all ages and backgrounds by
exhibiting art and objects, preserving collections,
providing educational and cultural experiences,
and serving as a community gathering place. The
National Nordic Museum presents a wide range
of vibrant programs including contemporary art
exhibitions, outstanding concerts, lectures, and
films and a variety of special events throughout
the year. – National Nordic Museum
SEATTLE’S NORDIC MUSEUM NOW
THE NATIONAL NORDIC MUSEUM
PHOTO: STEFAN JONASSON
President of Iceland Guðni Th. Jóhannesson and First Lady Eliza Reid will visit Canada
in May to attend the 100th anniversary convention of the Icelandic National League of
North America, which is being held in Winnipeg from May 16 to 19. The president will
speak at the opening ceremony of the convention in addition to meeting with
government leaders during his visit.
PHOTO COURTESY THE NORDIC MUSEUM
The entrance to the National Nordic Museum
in the early spring
Gilbart Funeral Home Ltd.
Four generations of devoted service
in the Selkirk area and throughout
the Interlake since 1935
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309 Eveline Street, Selkirk
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PHOTO: GOVERNMENT.IS
Þórdís Kolbrún R. Gylfadóttir
New justice minister named