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.
Responsible for democracy and human rights
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News about democracy and human rights
Webinar: Human rights and democracy in the global fight against COVID-19
Join Nordic ministers and leading human rights defenders in a webinar: Human rights and democracy – key in the global fight against COVID-19.
“We will not give up before every LGBTI-person in the world can live their lives freely.”
"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. "
Government responds to UN human rights recommendations
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.
Content about democracy and human rights
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The Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven postpones the Malmö International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism
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.
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Ministers: Global cooperation should be strengthened
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.
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Speech by Minister for Culture Amanda Lind at UNESCO’s online Meeting with Ministers of Culture
Stockholm, Sweden 2020-04-22. Check against delivery.
· Speech from Amanda Lind, Ministry of Culture
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Joint statement on safety of journalists and access to information during the COVID-19 crisis
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.
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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.
