Promoting and Defending the Rights of the Vulnerable. Nordic Norm Advocacy at the UN Human Rights Council

The Nordic states portray themselves as promoters and defenders of gender equality and the rights of vulnerable groups, such as disabled persons, children, human rights defenders, and sexual, ethnic, and religious minorities. This article studies how Nordic states define and advocate for these rights at the UN Human Rights Council. Five strategies of norm advocacy are identified: acting as an example, building coalitions, setting the agenda, taking the initiative, and using social pressure. The data consists of Nordic human rights priorities outlined in documents, speeches, resolution sponsorships, and statements. The findings demonstrate strong Nordic commitment and activity in advocating for the rights of the vulnerable. The strategies of norm advocacy vary, demonstrating a prudent balancing between principled advocacy and pragmatism in the contested institutional HRC framework. This article contributes to the literature on Nordic norm advocacy at the UN and refines understanding of the norm advocacy strategies used to forward the vulnerability agenda.

Human rights · International human rights law · Legal norm · Norm (philosophy · Right to property · European and International Law Studies · Historical and Contemporary Political Dynamics · Peace and Human Rights Education