Democracy and human rights

In light of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s televised speech on the morning of 21 September, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson later the same day issued the following statement:

The Government has adopted five action programmes against various forms of racism during 2022–2024. The action programmes outline concrete measures aimed at combating afrophobia, antisemitism, antigypsyism, islamophobia and racism against the Sami people. These action programmes will follow up on one of Sweden’s commitments from the Malmö International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism.

Stockholm, 21 June 2022. Check against delivery.

The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) has successfully concluded its first plenary meetings under the Swedish Presidency. Guided by the motto, “Together for impact,” more than 200 experts, political representatives, and representatives of international organizations and civil society met in Stockholm over four days to advance education, remembrance, and research of the Holocaust and the genocide of the Roma.

On 20–23 June, around 300 experts, researchers, diplomats and politicians from around the world are gathering in Stockholm to collaborate on Holocaust research and education. As President of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA), Sweden is hosting the international Plenary Session with a focus on following through on the promises of the 2021 Malmö International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism.

On the occasion of the Swedish IHRA Presidency, a reunion was organized on the 13 June for Swedish teachers who had been to The Yad Vashem. The aim of the day was to reconnect to the experiences from Yad Vashem, and discuss the contemporary and future needs in Sweden for elaborated teaching and learning on the Holocaust and antisemitism.

On 10 June, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde will present a new Statement of Foreign Policy in the Riksdag. A Statement of Foreign Policy was presented on 16 February this year. In light of the new security environment, the Riksdag and the Government decided that a new Statement of Foreign Policy and debate are needed.

The Equal Rights Coalition (ERC) is pleased to join governments and civil society around the world to commemorate the International Day against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia (IDAHOBIT).

"By comparing and equating Ukraine’s democratically elected government and their actions with the murderous policy of Nazi Germany, the history of the Holocaust is being grossly distorted and misused," said IHRA Chair Ambassador Ann Bernes in her first statement as IHRA Chair.

Russia’s violent aggression against Ukraine is the worst in Europe since the Second World War. Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde announced that Sweden will increase its support to the International Criminal Court by SEK 5 million.

The Govern­ment has presented a bill to the Riksdag contain­ing pro­posals for equitable and inclusive rules con­cerning parent­hood in inter­national situations.

Sweden condemns in the strongest possible terms Russia’s unprovoked, illegal and unjustifiable aggression against Ukraine. Russia’s actions are an attack on the European security order, and European countries now stand in solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. Extensive sanctions have been imposed in a short period of time against Russia and the Russian central government. The Government is now continuing to push for sanctions against Russia, support to Ukraine and strengthening Sweden.

Welcome to watch the digital launch of the Swedish IHRA Presidency. The event includes speeches by the Swedish Minister for Culture Jeanette Gustafsdotter, the Honorary Chair of the IHRA Professor Yehuda Bauer as well as the Secretary-General of the IHRA Dr. Kathrin Meyer and is hosted by Ambassador Ann Bernes, Chair of the IHRA.

The Swedish Presidency of the IHRA – Together for Impact – begins on 1 March 2022 and will continue until the end of February 2023. Sweden will be holding the Presidency twenty plus years after former Prime Minister Göran Persson initiated the organisation and one year after the Malmö Forum, Remember – ReAct. Sweden assumes the Presidency at a time when the IHRA is more needed than ever given that anti-democratic forces are gaining ground and spreading antisemitism, antigypsyism, disinformation and distortion, not least on social media platforms.

Heads of state and government from the EU and the African Union (AU) will meet in Brussels on 17–18 February. It is the seventh time the EU and AU leaders will meet. The aim is to establish foundations for a renewed and deepened partnership between the two unions. The leaders are expected to adopt a joint declaration on closer cooperation in a range of areas. Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson will represent Sweden.

On 16 February, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde presented the 2022 Statement of Foreign Policy in the Riksdag. Check against delivery.

Today, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde will present the Government’s Statement of Foreign Policy in the Riksdag. This year’s Statement of Foreign Policy is Ms Linde’s third as Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Sweden has joined the global Media Freedom Coalition (MFC). Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde will represent Sweden at the MFC’s Third Global Conference for Media Freedom, which will take place in Tallinn on 9–10 February.

Great Synagogue of Stockholm, 27 January 2022. Check against delivery.