The verdict of the case of Anders Behring Breivik for his murder of 77 civilians in Norway last year was delivered on Aug. 25. One would imagine a silent courtroom as Breivik received his sentence of 21 years in prison. However, one day during the year-long sentencing process of this case, an unusual sound may have found its way into the courtroom: a song.

Outside the Oslo courtroom in April, around 40,000 people gathered to sing a song of tolerance that Breivik had openly despised as being “Marxist propaganda.” The song, “Children of the Rainbow,” and its lyrics display a progressive attitude towards multiculturalism and world peace.

“They wanted to sing the song so loud that Anders Behring Breivik would hear the song inside the court; it was a way of telling him that he was wrong,” says Dag Eine, resident of Bærum, Norway, to The Guilfordian in an email interview. “I did not attend. I do not believe in giving him any thoughts. I do believe the best way is to ignore the person, but argue his thoughts. Never give him a face.”

In July of last year, Breivik — or his initials, ABB, as he is now referred to in Norway — set off explosives in Oslo and went on a gun rampage on the island of Utøya while disguised as a police officer. Combined, the attacks claimed the lives of 77 people. Many of the people at Utøya were participating in camp activities and were teenagers.

“As most Norwegians, I did not understand what was going on,” recalls Eine. “I remember standing in a shop and the clerk there told me his friends at Utøya were tweeting about someone shooting. Later, I learned what they were going through not being able to get in touch with the police.”

When asked about the verdict, Eine had this to say: “I do not know if this has brought any solace to the Norwegian people. Of course I can only speak for myself. But when I hear/read what people around me say, I do believe the solace is hard to find.”

Many Americans are probably confused as to why a murderer of 77 people would only be sentenced to 21 years (the maximum in Norway). Even more surprising may be that he will be given exercise equipment, a television and a laptop without internet in his cell, according to The New York Times. There is a catch to this verdict though; Breivik can continually receive extensions of five years to his sentence term after the initial 21 years. This will most likely mean that Breivik will spend the rest of his life in jail.

“This verdict, which reflects Norway’s approach to criminal justice — one that focuses more on rehabilitation rather than punishment and retribution — marks for Norwegians the end of the legal battle and the beginning of the healing process for the individuals and the community,” says Amal Khoury, assistant professor of peace and conflict studies.

When asked about Norway’s role as a mediator in international conflicts, Khoury said, “Norway has played an important role in mediating international conflicts on the official and unofficial  levels. The most important example that comes to mind is the role it played in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, and the efforts that resulted in the Oslo Peace Accords in 1993.”

Given the collective outcry of criticism that Norwegians have given Breivik for his racist and regressive beliefs, and a restored embrace of all the progressive values he has openly disdained, a new level of compassion and understanding could be brought to this mediator role in future discussions.

“We can’t and won’t understand what brought this person to do what he did. It is beyond our understanding,” continued Eine. “But for the people involved in one way or another, I do believe there is some kind of comfort in seeing ABB being sentenced as sane. And sentenced to the longest possible sentence one can get in Norway.”