Democracy and human rights

"Most people think it is an obvious right to be who you are and to be allowed to love the person or persons you love. "

This information material describes the Government’s work for the equal rights and opportunities of LGBTI people.

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Today we honour the memory of the victims of the Srebrenica genocide in 1995. Prime Minister Stefan Löfven has been invited by Sefik Dzaferovic, the Bosniak member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to attend the commemoration at the Memorial Hall for Srebrenica in Potocari. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, foreign officials will take part in the commemoration via a video message that will be broadcast at the official commemoration ceremony.

On 2 July, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde invited minister colleagues and government representatives from South Africa, Mexico, Spain and Germany to discuss economic gender equality. These countries, together with representatives of civil society, international organisations and private funds, will lead a global coalition on economic gender equality to accelerate results for global gender equality. Here are the key messages from the meeting:

The Malmö International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism will take place in Malmö on 13–14 October 2021. The Forum has been postponed one year due to the unfortunate circumstances of the current pandemic.

The virtual Global Pride festival kicks off on 27 June. Artists, politicians and activists from around the world will take part in the 26-hour livestream event.

The OECD has released a report on how LGBTI people are included in the legislative frameworks in its member countries. The release coincides with Global Pride 2020, the worldwide digital festival taking place on 27 June. Minister for Gender Equality Åsa Lindhagen welcomes the OECD expanding its work to include LGBTI rights.

Here you find more information about the right of UK nationals to continue living and working in Sweden under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Today the Government presented a bill to the Riksdag containing proposals for provisions concerning the rights of UK nationals. The proposals supplement those contained in the Withdrawal Agreement between the United Kingdom and the EU and concern the right of certain UK nationals to travel to and live and work in Sweden.

The human rights situation in Sweden was reviewed by the UN Human Rights Council at the end of January as part of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). Sweden received 300 recommendations from other UN Member States. The Government has now communicated its position on the recommendations in a report to be submitted to the UN.

On 1 January 2021, Sweden will take over the Chair of the OSCE for a period of 12 months. The assignment is a manifestation of Sweden taking responsibility for the OSCE, and also of multilateralism, peace and the upholding of the European security order.

The Government decided today to refer a proposal to the Council on Legislation on provisions concerning the rights of UK nationals that supplement those contained in the Withdrawal Agreement between the United Kingdom and the European Union. The proposals concern the rights of certain UK nationals to enter, reside and work in Sweden.

The outbreak of the novel coronavirus and the spread of the COVID-19 disease have resulted in a global crisis affecting human life and health. At the same time, the socio-economic consequences and financial impacts on many families are contributing to increased stress and anxiety. Crisis and disaster research shows that the crisis is affecting the population unequally. Those with the least resources and in the most disadvantaged circumstances are generally those who suffer the greatest strain.

The world is facing a new, and severe, challenge. The spread of the new coronavirus and COVID-19 is challenging our countries. We are all working to fight the pandemic and its effects. Due to this, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven has announced that the Malmö International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism 2020 has been postponed.

Opinion piece by Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde, Minister for International Development Cooperation Peter Eriksson and Minister for Foreign Trade and Nordic Affairs Anna Hallberg. Published in Svenska Dagbladet on 20 April 2020.

Stockholm, Sweden 2020-04-22. Check against delivery.

In the light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the undersigned chairs and members of the Groups of Friends on the Safety/Protection of Journalists are calling on all states to protect journalists’ and media workers’ safety, safeguard a free and independent media and ensure unhindered access to information, both online and offline.