THE SCHØYEN HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION
Articles of Association
THE SCHØYEN HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION STI
STATUTES ADOPTED ON 22.5.1999
AS AMENDED ON 06.05.2008, 06.12.2010, 05.06.2013, 30.06.2020, 09.12.2020, 22.04.2022, 23.11.2023, 17.07.2024, 05.11.2024, 04.06.2025 and 23.09.2025
Art. 1. NAME AND TYPE OF FOUNDATION
Art. 1.1. The name of the Foundation is THE SCHØYEN HUMAN RIGHTS FOUNDATION STI
Art. 1.2. The Foundation shall be an international and perpetual Foundation.
The place of business of the Foundation shall be Oslo.
Art. 2. OBJECT
Art. 2.1 Based on the core Christian value that human life is sacred and inviolable and that all persons are created equal and free with the same dignity and human rights, the main object of the Foundation is to save human life and combat violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to promote and strengthen these.
This embraces people in all parts of the world and of all ages, races, colours, sex, languages, nationalities, religions, political or other views, social origins, congenital or acquired physical conditions, psyches, orientations, health and conditions of birth.
Art. 2.2. The object of the Foundation is two-fold and includes, more particularly, for example, the following:
Saving human life by preventing premature death which is not caused by advanced age. This means causes of death such as due to terrorist activities, the use of weapons of any kind, abuse of power, persecution, repression, authoritarian or corrupt governance, diseases, epidemics, nutrition and water shortages, narcotics, food and environmental poisoning, accidents, natural disasters, etc.
The object may be realized by focussing on:
Art. 2.2.1. Emergency aid in urgent situations and work in the immediate aftermath of such situations, for instance water purification, mine clearing, reallocation of refugees, rebuilding of basic infrastructure, etc.
Art. 2.2.2. Preventive efforts such as vaccination programs, nutrition and hygiene education for mothers, basic nutrition education, help to self-help, etc., all using local labour and goods wherever possible, in cooperation with the beneficiary and on the beneficiary's terms.
Art. 2.2.3. Business development, organizational development, knowledge building, including for leaders and politicians, and long-term combatting of poverty through communication development and technology transfer, in the form of both loans and subsidies, adapted to the development level and culture of the beneficiaries, using local labour and goods wherever possible, on the beneficiary's terms and pursuant to clear employment contracts. The Foundation should not give direct loans or subsidies to governments and states.
Art. 2.2.4. Working for "fair trade" between rich countries and, not least, developed countries or regions. Fighting protectionism, quotas, tariffs, barriers, discriminatory standards, subsidies, etc. Channelling net capital flows to the least developed countries or regions. Defying excessively harsh conditions imposed by the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and other institutions, as well as embargoes and blockades which negatively affect the lives and health of children and the unprivileged. The promotion of solidarity and compassion.
Art. 2.2.5. Exposing authoritarian, corrupt and fundamentalist regimes, government leaders, politicians and powerbrokers. This must be done country by country, using all appropriate media and means and all available information and communication technology, networks, etc.
Art. 2.3. The second part of the Foundation’s object is to combat violations of and to promote and strengthen human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of 10 November 1948, the UN Convention on Civil and Political Rights of 16 December 1966, the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action of 25 June 1993 as well as similar declarations, conventions and amendments by the UN or the international community which may be adopted in the future.
The aforementioned and the following United Nations declarations and treaties are, in the Foundation's opinion, to be regarded as laying down minimum standards. They shall not limit the concept of human rights, or the measures to be employed in combating violations of human rights, or the promotion and strengthening of human rights.
Although the full range of human rights and fundamental freedoms mentioned in Art. 2.3. fall within the scope of the Foundation's object, focus may be directed at combating the following forms of human rights violations:
Art. 2.3.1. Torture pursuant to the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment of 10 December 1984, as amended. For the Foundation, the concept of torture is expanded to include torture from all persons other than those with official status pursuant to Article 1 of the Convention, and the Convention is otherwise regarded as laying down minimum standards.
Art. 2.3.2. Genocide (Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide 1948 as amended)
Art. 2.3.3. Abuse, rape, discrimination, repression, undignified or disrespectful treatment etc. of the weakest, such as:
Children (in the meaning of the Convention on the Rights of the Child 1989, as amended).
Women (in the meaning of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women 1979, as amended).
The elderly and disabled.
Indigenous peoples and all kinds of minorities, see Art. 2.3.10.
Refugees (in the meaning of the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees 1951, as amended) and asylum seekers.
Art. 2.3.4. Disappearances
Remand custody exceeding 24 hours or imprisonment or internment without legal authority or judgement. Remand custody in isolation cells or together with convicted criminals. Remand custody, imprisonment or security due to political opinion, criticism of political, military or religious powers, religion, faith, doubt as to identity or other arbitrary detention or imprisonment.
Art. 2.3.5. Psychiatric coercive measures such as involuntary commitment, use of straitjackets, electroconvulsive therapy, chemical agents and experiments, etc., which shall never be used for financial reasons or due to lack of staff, resources, or political, military, security or religious reasons, and otherwise only with the prior consent of the patient and the patient’s next-of-kin and lawyer.
Violation of the right to immediate treatment for acute or painful illness, and a maximum of two weeks waiting time for the treatment of serious diseases, illnesses that develop rapidly or require prompt treatment etc. Also violations of the right to a dignified and humane old age, hospitalization and death.
Art. 2.3.6. All other violations of the right to peace, freedom, coverage of basic needs, health, personal security, fair administration of justice, privacy, family, home and personal property.
Art. 2.3.7. Violation of freedom of expression, freedom of information and freedom of communication, including the right to peacefully demonstrate for one’s opinions.
Protection of libraries, archives, collections, databases, art collections, museums, etc., since these represent humanity's collective memory. Further, freedom of establishment of these, freedom of acquisition and freedom of access.
Art. 2.3.8. Violations of freedom of religion, freedom of belief and freedom of thought, including freedom from fundamentalist legislation including sharia laws and other discriminatory laws or practices, as well as persecution of religious minorities.
Unlimited right to mutual proselytizing and peaceful dissemination of religion, to build, maintain and use churches, synagogues, mosques, temples and other sacred buildings and places, as well as to acquire and use symbols and literature, etc., and to change religion or not to follow any religion.
Art. 2.3.9. Combating any and all curtailment or revocation of the right to life, human rights and fundamental freedoms on the grounds of war, civil war, rebellion, demonstration, state of emergency, national security, public order or any political, military, religious or moral etc. grounds whatsoever, or for secret grounds or no grounds at all.
Art. 2.3.10. Initiate independent basic research on human rights and fundamental freedoms, including clarifying the causes of civil war, ethnic and religious conflicts, genocide, terrorism, abuse of power against and oppression and discrimination of indigenous peoples, tribes and all other types of minorities.
Submit proposals for fundamental and lasting solutions, such as expanded democratic development to enable peoples or groups with common ethnic, religious, linguistic, cultural, historical, geographical or other bonds to determine themselves the degree of freedom and self- determination they shall have within, or irrespective of, national boundaries. Submit proposals for national and international legislation and enforcement of such rights, as well as strategies for national and international political acceptance and implementation etc.
Further, basic research on human rights developments and conditions in the near and distant future in order to forestall new future threats and to have optimal tools and strategies to combat and eliminate threats at all times.
Art. 2.4. The object of the Foundation is intentionally comprehensive so that parts of it will forever be relevant in light of the Foundation's perpetual character. It is also concrete and the specific measures and human rights violations that are emphasised are not exhaustive.
Art. 2.5. New and currently unknown threats against human life, human rights and the fundamental freedoms will appear in the future and these will at all times be covered by the Foundation’s object.
Art. 2.6. It will not be possible for the Foundation to be good or best at all times in all areas covered by the object, and the Board must determine priorities and specializations. The Board shall draw up action plans for priorities and specializations and revise these annually.
Art. 2.7. The Foundation shall always be updated, ahead, creative and perhaps unorthodox in its use of instruments and technology to implement the object, and shall use innovative strategies to ensure breakthroughs and results.
Art. 3 INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS PRIZE
Art. 4. FOUNDING CAPITAL
Art. 4.1. The Foundation’s founding capital at the date of incorporation is NOK 1,000,000..
Art. 4.2. By gifts and legacies from the founder, Martin Schøyen, the Foundation will accrue funds from the sale of manuscripts from The Schøyen Collection, or will receive all or part of the collection directly, which can then be sold, together with other assets.
Art. 4.3. The founding capital may also be increased by specific gifts or legacies from donors, etc.
Art. 4.4. The founding capital is the Foundation's primary source of return in perpetuity. It can under no circumstances be reduced or used as collateral.
Art. 4.5. Of each year’s realized capital, a minimum amount equal to the year's inflation percentage multiplied by the founding capital at the start of the year shall be added to the founding capital, provided that the minimum amount to be added to the founding capital shall be 20% of the year's realized capital. Unrealized capital gains or losses shall be added to or deducted from the gain reserve, which cannot be distributed before the gain or loss is realized.
Art. 4.6. A minimum of 20% of other income, gifts or legacies that are not earmarked the founding capital or specific projects or purposes, shall be added to the founding capital.
Art. 4.7. 50 % of the part of the Foundation's annual disposable profit which is not used in pursuance of the Foundation’s object in the year shall be added to the founding capital and 50% shall be transferred for distribution in the subsequent year or allocated to the distributable reserve.
Art. 4.8. The founding capital per 04.06.2025 amounts to NOK 100,000,000.
Art. 5. ASSET AND RISK MANAGEMENT
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Art. 6. ACQUISITION OF ASSETS
Art. 6.1. The Foundation’s main source of income is the return on founding capital. However, the Foundation may receive income from other sources, such as legacies and sponsorships, and from adoption by third parties of projects, groups or individuals who are subject to human rights violations, etc. Income may also be derived from fundraising drives and regular donations, but only insofar as these do not imply unnecessary or costly competition with national partners. The Foundation should avoid lotteries and other fundraising methods where the only a low proportion of the gross income accrues to the purpose.
The Foundation may receive income from governmental organizations to the extent that it is received on the Foundation's own terms, is linked to specific projects and not for the benefit of the Foundation in general, and in total amounts to less than half of the Foundation's total revenue. In all other respects, the provisions of Art. 2.7. shall apply.
Art. 6.2. In the same way as the Foundation is founded by a person with considerable fortune and without heirs, who wishes that that the capital itself shall remain intact and that the return shall promote the Foundation's object for all the conceivable future, there will at any given time be a number of people in the world in the same situation who are concerned about human rights and who should be encouraged to contribute directly to the founding capital.
If the fortune is considerable, the Foundation may offer that their proportion of the founding capital shall carry their name, but otherwise be managed in common with the founding capital in general.
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Art. 7. OPERATION, PLANNING, INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
Art. 7.1. The Foundation shall primarily operate through clear cooperation agreements with national and international development aid and human rights organizations, churches, UN organizations, institutions and individuals. To some extent, the Foundation may operate under its own direction, and operations should then be unified and coordinated with other organizations to avoid duplicate activities and unnecessary competition, and to gain greater weight and effect, and to contribute to fundamental and permanent changes in individual countries. Operations shall be organized accordingly in order to secure an optimal result in relation to the Foundation’s overall resources and networks.
Art. 7.2. Operating plans and innovation strategies shall be developed in order to ensure breakthroughs and results in areas where international development and human rights work has had little progress.
Art. 7.3. Operations shall be administered competently, efficiently and flexibly using well-qualified, motivated, enterprising and active staff and be on a modest and realistic scale in relation to the scope of business at any given time. The Foundation shall adopt a sober attitude to costs and operations. Tight cost control through efficient budget management shall be implemented and reasons for any negative monthly deviation shall immediately be mapped and measures implemented.
The annual report and accounts shall be prepared in accordance with high and recognized standards at least equivalent to the accounting legislation of the country in which the Foundation is registered, alternatively corresponding to US GAAP or equivalent. They should focus particularly on obtained and quantified results, which should be measured against the results of similar organizations.
Art. 7.4. All projects, whether in collaboration with other organizations or under the direction of the Foundation, shall have a project plan with specific and to the greatest extent quantified objects and budget when the nature of the project permits.
Project completion should be thought through from the start of the project. Help to self-help shall to the greatest extent be on the beneficiary's terms, with clear mutual cooperation agreements and quickest possible full local handover, and shall be pre-planned. Projects shall be subject to continuous evaluation and project management, as well as evaluation upon completion. Concluded projects that continue under local management should be required to report annually or at longer intervals, or be monitored in another way and, as appropriate, assistance should be provided to ensure that the project continues and is sustainable.
Art. 7.5. Art. 2.2.5. and Art. 2.7. of the object places special and active demands for critical information and influencing of opinion through the media, and requires the Foundation to be at the forefront in using available information and communication technology.
Access to all human rights databases and databases concerning violations thereof, necessary literature and open underground networks is essential. High data security shall be maintained.
Art. 7.6. Security routines to counteract measures from authoritarian or fundamentalist regimes and groups etc. shall be implemented when required. The Foundation shall strive to maintain high security for its staff and partners who participate in hazardous projects in war zones, terrorist- endangered or drug traffic-endangered areas, mine-clearing etc., and to provide full support with medical, psychological and compassionate assistance during and after assignments.
Art. 8. THE BOARD
Art. 8.1. The Board is the Foundation´s highest authority, and shall consist of 7-9 members, and 3-5 deputies in the age of 18-80 years. The Board elect the Chairman. The founders can be part of the Board for as long as they wish and are capable of it.
The age limit for Board members does not apply for the founders.
Art. 8.2. The Board members should collectively have expertise within the Foundation's main object, financial management and risk management, etc., be respected in their fields and be able to demonstrate good results. They should be motivated and enterprising in an active interaction with the management.
Art. 8.3. The Board members must agree with the object of the Foundation and actively work to implement it and these statutes.
Art. 8.4. Board members shall be elected by the founder or the founders, as longs as this/they are members of the Board, in agreement with the Board. Thereafter the Board is self- supplementary. The Board shall request 3 concrete institutions or organizations, which work with human rights and/or humanitarian work, to appoint for three years, one Board member and one deputy member each. The Board member must be approved by at least 2/3 of the collective Board, and has the usual rights and duties as the rest of the Board/-deputy members.
Art. 8.5. The Board members and deputy members shall be elected for three years at a time, and may be re-elected. Founders who are members of the Board are not up for election, and can not function as chairman of the Board.
Art. 8.6. The Board may amend the statutes with a 2/3 majority of all members, except as provided in in Arts. 9.4, 9.5, 9.7 and 19.8. litra 1
The Board shall be deemed to have a quorum when at least five members attend in person or participate by telephone or other means of communication.
Art. 8.7. The Board members may be paid directors' remuneration , which, however, in view of the Foundation’s modest expenses policy, should be moderate and not exceed the average remuneration paid to directors of small and medium sized Norwegian foundations.
The Board shall determine the remuneration.
Art. 8.8. The Board shall appoint the CEO. This should be a dynamic person with management experience and the highest level of ability for actively implementing the Foundation's object, and be the best person in his or her field available in the national or international market. The CEO shall be appointed on competitive terms. In order to ensure clear lines of responsibility, he or she shall not be a member of the Board.
Art. 8.9. The Board shall determine priorities and specializations pursuant to Art. 2.6 of the object and initiate preparation of the action plan for the business. The Board shall also prepare instructions for currency risk pursuant to Art. 5.3.4., as well as strategies, instructions, evaluations, etc. for investment management pursuant to Art. 5.3.5. Moreover, the Board shall initiate general organizational development and regular evaluation of the Foundation’s efficiency both with regard to objects and priorities, and follow up that documented effect of each NOK in the assignments is optimal. Furthermore perform the duties and tasks that is ongoing all time in a boards commitments according to The Act of Foundations and other public regulations, or which appears in these Articles of association.
Art. 8.10. Chairman of the Board and one Board member sign together for the foundation.
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Art. 9 SURVIVAL OF THE FOUNDATION IN THE DISTANT FUTURE, AMENDMENTS
Art. 9.1. The need to save human lives and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms is likely to exist forever, as 5000 years of history have shown, so it must be assumed that the Foundation will always in the future justify its existence.
Art. 9.2. However, the changes that society and the world undergo are so dramatic and rapid that it is not possible for the Foundation to envision them at the date of incorporation. The officers and employees of the Foundation will therefore have an ongoing responsibility at all times to adapt the statutes, organization and working methods of the Foundation to the changing framework conditions, to ensure that the Foundation with its founding capital, organization, staff and networks will survive the changes and fulfil its object. The officers and employees shall, furthermore, ensure that the Foundation does not come under the rules of the Foundation Act on conversion.
During periods of social dissolution or totalitarianism, for example, the founding capital of the Foundation and / or its employees and officers can be moved to more acceptable countries or jurisdictions.
Art. 9.3. The Foundation undertakes at all times to support its officers, employees and their immediate families, if these are exposed to life-threatening situations or human rights violations, whether or not as a result of the Foundation's activities.
Art. 9.4. The name of the Foundation and its perpetual status (Art. 1) cannot be changed.
Art. 9.5. The main object of the Foundation (Art. 2.1.) cannot be changed.
Art. 9.6. Otherwise, the object as specified in Arts. 2.2. to 2.7. shall be adapted to changing conditions. This requires the support of 3/4 of all members of the Board and of the founders.
Art. 9.7. The provision relating to founding capital in Art. 4.4 cannot be reduced. Other amendments to Art. 4 require the support of 3/4 of all members of the Board and of the founders.
Art. 9.8. The provisions of Art. 5.3.1. cannot be changed in a manner which subjects the Foundation to increased principal risk. Otherwise, amendments to the provisions on asset management and risk management in Art. 5 require the support of 3/4 of all members of the Board and of the founders.
Art. 9.9. All other amendments to these statutes require the support of 2/3 of all Members of the Board and of the founders.
Art. 10. APPLICATION OF THE FOUNDATION ACT
Art. 10.1. Unless otherwise stated in the Foundation's statutes, the prevailing Foundation legislation in the country or countries or the jurisdiction in which the Foundation is located shall apply.
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