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European Rights Court Takes Up Norway Arctic Drilling Case

  • Activists took the issue to Strasbourg after losses in Norway
  • Norwegian government is given April 13 deadline for comment
The Barents Sea is an area of the Arctic Ocean, located off the northern coasts of Norway and Russia.

The Barents Sea is an area of the Arctic Ocean, located off the northern coasts of Norway and Russia.

Source: Universal Images Group/Getty Images

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The European Court of Human Rights is asking Norway to respond to charges by activists that allowing new oil and gas drilling in the Arctic during an environmental crisis may breach fundamental freedoms.

In a document seen by Bloomberg, the court will give the Norwegian government an April 13 deadline to comment, in writing, on the merits of the case which it said may potentially be designated an “impact” case, meaning it could have broad ramifications beyond Norway.