Democracy and human rights
Human rights are universal and apply to everyone. They establish that all human beings, irrespective of country, culture and context, are born free and equal in dignity and rights. Democracy policy includes general elections, measures to strengthen and protect the individual’s opportunities for influence, and measures to promote and guarantee respect for human rights. Human rights, democracy and the rule of law will also permeate all Swedish foreign policy.
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News about democracy and human rights
UN review of Sweden’s human rights compliance
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The 35th Session of Universal Periodic Review. From left: Anna-Carin Svensson, Åsa Lindhagen, Gianni Magazzeni and Elisabeth Tichy-Fisslberger.
Photo: Sandra Lyngdorf
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Åsa Lindhagen
Photo: Kristian Pohl/Government Offices
Sweden’s human rights compliance will be reviewed within the framework of the UN’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on Monday 27 January in Geneva. Sweden’s delegation at the review before the UN Human Rights Council will for the first time be led by a government minister – Åsa Lindhagen, Minister for Gender Equality with responsibility for anti-discrimination and anti-segregation.
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30 years since the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Today marks 30 years since the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child - a milestone in the realization of children’s human rights worldwide. On January 1st 2020, Sweden will take a historic next step, when the convention becomes Swedish law.
Content about democracy and human rights
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The fight against COVID-19 and its impact on democracy
How is the fight against COVID-19 affecting global efforts to defend human rights and promote democracy? As part of the Government’s Drive for Democracy, Sweden has launched a series of digital meetings to contribute to the global conversation on these issues.
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Civil society – an actor for democracy and poverty reduction
What is good support to civil society was the theme of a seminar hosted by the Permanent Representation of Sweden to the EU in Brussels on 4 March. Experiences, opportunities and new plans to support civil society were in focus. The seminar was the first in a series of three that the Permanent Representation is launching within the framework of the Government’s Drive for Democracy.
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Folke Bernadotte Academy tasked with establishing a scholarship in memory of Zaida Catalán to support UN Security Council resolution 1325
The Government decided on 12 March to task the Folke Bernadotte Academy with initiating the preparatory work to establish a scholarship aimed at supporting UN Security Council resolution 1325 on women, peace and security in 2021. The scholarship will be established in memory of Zaida Catalán, who had served abroad for the Folke Bernadotte Academy as a gender expert.
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Strategy for Sweden’s support for democracy, human rights and the environment in Russia 2020–2024
On 30 January 2020, the Government adopted a new five-year strategy for Sweden’s support for democracy, human rights and the environment in Russia. The strategy will contribute to strengthened conditions for democratic development in Russia, and greater freedom of expression and respect for human rights and the rule of law. Activities within the framework of the strategy will also contribute to improving the environment and enhancing climate action in the Baltic Sea region. A key objective is broader relations between Sweden and Russia, focusing in particular on people-to-people cooperation.
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National initiative to increase knowledge about the Holocaust and antisemitism
In connection with the Government’s International Forum for Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism, the Government is allocating SEK 10 million to a national initiative to increase knowledge in schools and society.
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Petra Lärke appointed head of the Task Force for Swedish Chair of the OSCE
The Government has today decided to appoint Petra Lärke as head of the Task Force that is to lead and plan Sweden’s Chairmanship of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) in 2021. She will take up her post on 2 March 2020.
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National statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde at the Conference on Disarmament
Geneva, 24 February 2020 Check against delivery.
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National statement by Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde at the High-Level Segment of the 43rd session of the Human Rights Council
24 February 2020, Geneva Check against delivery.
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Protection against honour-related crime to be further strengthened
In a proposal referred to the Council on Legislation for consideration, the Government proposes that a new child marriage offence be introduced that can result in imprisonment for up to four years. The Government also proposes new grounds for tougher penalties for ‘honour’ crimes and a new instrument, a travel ban, to further strengthen protection against honour-related crime.
