Ethics Newsline®

OSLO
Norway’s Supreme Court ruled last week that the country’s antidiscrimination laws do not cover real estate agents who sell private property, and who can legally refuse to sell or rent to people based on their race, nationality, or income.

The controversial decision stemmed from a 1998 case targeting a real-estate brokerage whose rental listings designated properties as “only for whites” and “foreigners unwanted,” the Associated Press reported.

Norway’s Institution Against Public Discrimination (IAPD) sued the brokerage, charging that the listings were illegal and overtly discriminatory.

Last week, the Court ruled in favor of the brokerage, saying that Norway’s 1972 antidiscrimination laws do not apply to the rental of private property.

IAPD representative Jesper Hansen told the Associated Press that his organization would appeal the decision.