Greta Thunberg detained twice during demonstration over Indigenous rights

Greta Thunberg has been detained twice during a recent demonstration over indigenous rights. The environmental campaigner was participating in the demonstration in Oslo, Norway, when police removed her and other activists.

According to the Japan Times, Thunberg joined protesters on Monday in demanding the removal of 151 wind turbines from reindeer pastures used by Sami herders in central Norway. The demonstrators argued that a transition to green energy should not come at the expense of Indigenous rights.

In recent days, such demonstrations have blocked access to some government buildings, prompting Energy Minister Terje Aasland to cancel an official visit to Britain. Such demonstrations have rocked the centre-left minority government.

In 2021, Norway’s supreme court ruled that the wind turbines violated Sami rights under international conventions, but the turbines have remained in operation.

Thunberg was carried away by police officers from the finance ministry as she held a Sami flag.

“We want to make it very clear that it is the Norwegian state that is committing the real crime here, for violating human rights.”

Thunberg was released but then later blocked the entrance to the climate and environment ministry. Police removed her again along with other protesters.

The energy ministry says the turbines pose a legal quandary despite the supreme court ruling. It says it is hoping to find a compromise but it could take another year to make a decision.

Reindeer herders say the sound and sight of the turbines frighten their animals and disrupt their historic traditions.

The cause was taken up by Thunberg, who is known for her campaigns to end the world’s reliance on carbon-based energy.

Meanwhile, her activist colleagues have said that they have raised almost US $100,000 to help individual demonstrators pay police fines.

Thunberg initially became well-known for her straightforward and bluntness in criticising world leaders for their failure to address the climate crisis. Originally from Sweden, Thunberg started campaigning at the age of 15.