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
Sweden to lead the work of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance
Sweden has been entrusted with holding the Presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) – an intergovernmental organisation to promote Holocaust education, research and remembrance – from 1 March 2022 until 28 February 2023. The decision was taken at the IHRA’s digital plenary meeting in Leipzig on 3 December 2020.
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.
Content about democracy and human rights
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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.
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Ann Linde presents the 2020 Statement of Foreign Policy
Today, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde is presenting the Government’s Statement of Foreign Policy to the Riksdag. The Statement, which summarises the Government’s foreign policy priorities for 2020, includes a new announcement on strengthened efforts to combat organised crime. Also notable in the Statement is a stronger focus on security in Europe ahead of Sweden assuming the role of Chair of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in 2021.
