A small Norwegian municipality faces legal action and human rights scrutiny as it attempts to force three residents with developmental disabilities to leave their homes. Nordre Land municipality in Norway's Innlandet county has filed a lawsuit against Egil André Finstuen, Berit Brenden, and a 73-year-old man seeking to relocate them from their care apartments in Furuholtet to Landmo care center in Dokka, approximately 20 kilometers away.
The three residents, all with developmental disabilities requiring daily assistance, have lived in their current homes in Aust-Torpa for years. Their families and advocates argue the forced move violates both Norwegian law and international human rights conventions.
Ole Edvard Finstuen, father of Egil André, expressed frustration about the municipality's actions. He said his son and the other residents feel safe and comfortable in their current homes. The residents cannot verbally articulate their opposition themselves due to their disabilities, making family advocacy crucial.
Randi Brenden Bjørnerud, sister to Berit, called the potential relocation devastating. She emphasized that the current residence provides both help and security that would be difficult to replicate elsewhere.
The conflict escalated in February when residents received formal notice that their care services at Furuholtet would be discontinued and their rental agreements terminated. After residents protested, the municipality rejected their complaints and initiated legal proceedings through Vestoppland and Valdres District Court.
Anna Ekrem, leader of the Norwegian Association for People with Developmental Disabilities in Nordre Land, pointed to Norway's obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The convention, which Norway ratified in 2013, guarantees individuals with disabilities the right to choose where they live.
Ekrem also referenced Norwegian health service laws requiring municipalities to provide services where people reside. She argued that moving the residents would likely increase costs rather than achieve savings for the municipality.
Mayor Ola Tore Dokken acknowledged the difficulty of the situation but cited municipal budget pressures as driving the decision. He stated that the elected officials must make tough priorities in a constrained financial environment.
The mayor conceded that individuals with developmental disabilities have the right to choose their residence but argued that health services improve when concentrated in one location. He suggested the municipality should have the right to determine where services are provided.
Tom Tvedt, national leader of the Norwegian Association for People with Developmental Disabilities, called the situation heartbreaking. He warned that Norway appears to be reverting to institutionalizing people with disabilities despite parliamentary consensus against this approach.
Tvedt identified this case as part of a broader trend where municipalities seek to consolidate services for people with developmental disabilities, often moving them to nursing homes and care facilities where health services already exist.
Kjell Ingar Taaje, legal guardian for the 73-year-old resident, compared the situation to someone trying to evict him from his own home. He emphasized that all three residents consider Furuholtet their home and want to remain.
Ole Edvard Finstuen has prepared a backup plan if the municipality succeeds in closing his son's care community. He would bring his son to live with him, though he questions how this would save the municipality money since the required assistance would still be necessary.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between municipal budget constraints and human rights protections for vulnerable populations in Norway's welfare system. As municipalities face increasing financial pressure, similar conflicts may emerge elsewhere unless clearer guidelines and adequate funding are established.
The legal proceedings will determine whether economic arguments can override established rights to self-determination and community integration for people with disabilities. The outcome could set important precedents for similar cases across Norway and potentially other Nordic countries facing similar demographic and financial challenges.