Norwegian parliament to debate conversion therapy

The government's bill involves a total ban on conversion therapy with a penalty of up to three years in prison. The penalty increases to six years if one is said to have acted negligently concerning a person suffering significant psychological damage. This writes the Christian Norwegian daily Dagen.

With the proposal, the Støre government goes significantly further than what the Solberg government proposed a year earlier. Then the government would only ban conversion therapy for people under 16 or 18 and have a lower penalty.

Controversial

The proposed bill, originating from Minister of Culture and Equality Anette Trettebergstuen, is controversial. Several important bodies have been critical of the proposal, including the Attorney General, the State Attorney and the Norwegian Legal Association. The Attorney General believes the bill may violate Norway's human rights obligations. "It appears doubtful whether an absolute ban can be adopted for adults, in light of overriding legal norms."

Although most Christians support a ban on conversion therapy, they do fear that the proposal will "restrict the individual's right to the conversation, spiritual care, information and guidance". The fact that it remains possible to talk about sexual orientation, although it is forbidden to try to change it, comforts some churches.