A moratorium means that something is halted – for example, a law, action, or process. In the context of Sámi land rights, a moratorium can be used to establish that a given law does not stand (is not in force) in a specified moratorium area. In the case of Ellos Deatnu, the fishing rules agreement from 2017 does not stand in the moratorium area. The moratorium of Ellos Deatnu is in force until new fishing rules have been negotiated on local Sámi representatives’ terms. Moratorists must define the terms of the moratorium: what actions must be accomplished in order for the moratorium to no longer be necessary for safeguarding the human and indigenous rights of the local Sámi?

The aim of the Moratorium Office is not to grant you the freedom to act however you want. The aim is to help the people and local communities live as Sámi for the benefit of nature’s balance. Let this also be adapted beyond Sápmi!

The Moratorium Office offers communities moratorium kits, with the help of which people can easily establish their own moratoriums and indigenize their regions. The moratorium kit includes:

• definition of a moratorium
• guidance for implementing a moratorium
• moratorium declaration template
• press release template
• ready-to-use moratorium sign