Kristelig Folkepartiet
"Ut i frå det kristne menneskesynet vil KrF arbeide for ein meir human og rettferdig politikk overfor flyktninger og asylsøkjarar,"1 says Jon Lilletun, head of the Vest-Agder regional branch of Kristelig Folkepartiet (the Christian People's Party, or KrF). KrF is a major power in contemporary Norway. (Kjell Magne Bondevik, the Norwegian Prime Minister, is a former party leader.) Though of a fairly conservative Christian mindset, KrF champions for religious freeom and cultural integration; it is even written into their party program.2
Citing a "human OG rettferdig" policy, KrF supports the refugee cause in Norway.3
"Å ta imot flyktninger er et nasjonalt ansvar.
Innvandrere som har fått opphold i Norge, må raskere få bolig og arbeid i
kommunene".4 Christian values have no borders, and thus their
policies must also uphold the same inclusive values. In fact, KrF supports
a jump in the total number of refugees accepted each year, from 1500 to 2000
people, and "vil arbeide for at Norge skal bidra mer med midler til FNs høykommisær
for flyktninger."5
One goal of KrF's refugee policy is work and language in Norwegian society. "...Vi sjølve har en forståing av kva denne 'norskheten' er. Det handler om noko meir enn ein stad å bu. Det handler om å skape eit samfunn. Her må også innvandrarar få lov til å delta."6 The refugees have slowly become a large portion of some communities, and their cultures must be respected and integrated into general society. However, along with the Høyre party, KrF believes that a major portion of this integration revolves around Norwegian language acquisition. "Norskopplæringen er nøkkelen til en vellykket integrering... [det] må være obligatorisk for alle som får innvilget opphold i Norge, også de som kommer hit for å bli gjenforent med sine familier."7
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1 "From within the Christian belief system will KrF work towards a more humane and just policy on refugees and asylum-seekers." Lilletun, Jon, "Innvandringspol - kva er det?", 18 March 2002, <http://www.krf.no/krfweb/politikk/nyheter/auto/20021018223844.asp> (23 April 2003)
2 KrF, "Politisk program 2001-2005", n.d., <http://www.krf.no/krfweb/politikk/program01_05/innhold.asp> (23 April 2003)
3 "...humane AND just". Lilletun, Jon, "Innvandringspol - kva er det?", 18 March 2002, <http://www.krf.no/krfweb/politikk/nyheter/auto/20021018223844.asp> (23 April 2003)
4 "To take responsibility for refugees is a national responsibility. Immigrants who have received asylum in Norway must receive housing and work in the communities more quickly." KrF, "Politisk program 2001-2005", n.d., <http://www.krf.no/krfweb/politikk/program01_05/innhold.asp> (23 April 2003)
5 "...want to work that Norway will contribute more to mediations of the UN High Commission on Refugees." ibid.
6 "... We ourselves have an understanding of what this 'being Norwegian' means. This deals with more than just a place to live. This deals with creating a community. In this, immigrants must also have permission to take part." Lilletun, Jon, "Innvandringspol - kva er det?", 18 March 2002, <http://www.krf.no/krfweb/politikk/nyheter/auto/20021018223844.asp> (23 April 2003)
7 "Norwegian-language education is the key to successful integration... It must be obligatory for all who recieve consent to stay temporarily in Norway, and those who come to be reunited with their families." KrF, "Sett fart i integreringen", 10 March 2001, <http://www.krf.no/krfweb/politikk/nyheter/auto/20010310211323.asp> (23 April 2003)