“Especially when freedom of expression is subject to growing pressure, we need brave voices like Sarah Gaulin. She combines objectivity with clarity and strong commitment”, remarks Grete Brochmann, chair of the Fritt Ord Foundation Board.

Despite considerable resistance and harassment, Gaulin has maintained a strong voice in the social debate, as a consistent defender of the principle of free exchanges of opinions.
“In a widely diverse society, tolerance is decisive, but open discussions are equally important, not least when the debate revolves around controversial religious and cultural questions”, Brochmann adds.

Sara Gaulin has issued warnings several times about a culture of fear, where pressure and threats lead to self-censorship and undermine public discourse. Following the murder of Salwan Momika, known for desecrations of the Koran in Sweden, Gaulin wrote a sharp comment that clearly reflects her principal point of view:
“One might disagree with Momika’s methods and criticise him, but there is nothing that can justify killing him. If violence is the answer to words and opinions, we are morphing into a society where fear supersedes freedom.”

Gaulin’s clear defence of the principles of the rule of law stands in stark contrast to the severely limited critical reflection noted in the mass media in the wake of this murder.

Sarah Gaulin is managing director of LIM, an organisation that promotes equality, integration and diversity. She was formerly a local politician who represented the Labour Party in the Søndre Nordstrand district in Oslo. In both of these roles, she has devoted special attention to fighting crime and negative social control, two challenges that threaten freedom and safety, especially in areas plagued by certain social problems.

Gaulin has personal experience of what it costs to be a clear voice in these debates. She has received threats and been harassed for expressing her opinions. In 2023, she felt forced to move from Holmlia in response to repeated security concerns.
“When participating in the public debate entails a personal risk, we are reminded of how important – and vulnerable – freedom of expression really is – even in Norway”, Grete Brochmann observes. “Sarah Gaulin has demonstrated the courage of her convictions in her defence of free speech during demanding debates. For that, she deserves our recognition.”

About Sarah Gaulin
Sarah Gaulin (30) is a Norwegian social commentator and former local politician who represented the Labour Party in Søndre Nordstrand. She has been managing director of LIM (Equality, Integration, Diversity) since 2021. Born in Iran, she came to Norway at the age of seven. For several years, Gaulin has been a clear voice in discourse about social control, cultures of honour, gang crime and freedom of expression. She has also been outspoken about how, after her mother married a Norwegian man, her family experienced social stigma from parts of the Iranian diaspora in Norway. Gaulin’s commitment has made her a prominent voice in the public debate in Norway.

The award ceremony will be held in the Fritt Ord Foundation’s premises at 10 a.m. on 18 February 2025.