Democracy and human rights

Stockholm, June 8, 2023 Check against delivery

The Swedish Ambassador for Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law Cecilia Ruthström-Ruin gave an opening speech on 30 May at the 2023 Stockholm Internet Forum. Check against delivery.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs summoned Iran’s acting Ambassador today, Saturday 6 May, to protest against the execution of Swedish citizen Habib Chaab earlier in the day.

On 20–21 April, the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) will hold a conference in Lund, focusing on institutional protection of human rights in times of crisis.

On 12 April, participants from throughout the EU will gather to jointly identify and share experiences from their work promoting LGBTIQ people’s rights and opportunities. It will also serve as a springboard for continued work on the EU strategy for LGBTIQ people’s equal rights.

The second Summit for Democracy is taking place on 29–30 March. Sweden is represented at the virtual summit and several side events by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Minister for Foreign Affairs Tobias Billström, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell and Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand.

The Swedish Government has decided to appoint a collaborative working group on the conditions for the Jewish minority. The aim is to vigorously combat antisemitism and to strengthen the conditions for Jewish life in Sweden.

On 28 February, Croatia took over the Presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) from Sweden. The main priorities of the Swedish Presidency were to contribute to strengthening the structure of the IHRA and increase the organisation’s impact.

The following is a statement from the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States and the High Representative of the European Union.

The Summary Report of the International Conference on the Genocide of the Roma and Combating Antigypsyism has been finalised.

The first follow-up report of the pledges made at the Malmö International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism in 2021 has been finalised.

The action programmes intend to complement the National plan to combat racism, similar forms of hostility and hate crime, and include both measures aimed at bringing to light and combating each form of racism, and measures aimed at combating racism at large.

The action programmes intend to complement the National plan to combat racism, similar forms of hostility and hate crime, and include both measures aimed at bringing to light and combating each form of racism, and measures aimed at combating racism at large.

The action programmes intend to complement the National plan to combat racism, similar forms of hostility and hate crime, and include both measures aimed at bringing to light and combating each form of racism, and measures aimed at combating racism at large.

The action programmes intend to complement the National plan to combat racism, similar forms of hostility and hate crime, and include both measures aimed at bringing to light and combating each form of racism, and measures aimed at combating racism at large.

The action programmes intend to complement the National plan to combat racism, similar forms of hostility and hate crime, and include both measures aimed at bringing to light and combating each form of racism, and measures aimed at combating racism at large.

State Secretary for International Development Cooperation Diana Janse will be in Brussels on 31 January to participate in a meeting on the EU’s external democracy action. During the conference, the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), will launch a report commissioned by Sweden ahead of its Presidency of the Council of the EU.

In Sweden, freedom of expression and demonstration are protected by the Constitution. Freedom of expression is one of the foundations of the Swedish state. Freedom of expression, freedom of information,  freedom to demonstrate and freedom of assembly are therefore central rights in our democracy. The individual’s right to freedom of religion is also strongly protected by the Constitution.