Civil Rights Defenders has submitted a shadow report ahead of the UN’s review of Sweden’s human rights in 2025, highlighting serious shortcomings in protecting against hate crimes, discrimination, and Indigenous rights. The report calls for urgent reforms, including better hate crime legislation and the inclusion of the Sámi people’s voices in decision-making processes.
As the United Nations gears up for its 2025 examination of Sweden’s human rights situation, a shadow report by Civil Rights Defenders uncovers alarming deficiencies in the country’s protections against hate crimes and the rights of Indigenous peoples. The report, bolstered by seven partnering organizations, accentuates a troubling regression in various human rights arenas, particularly regarding migrants and asylum seekers. The organization criticizes Sweden for inadequacies in hate crime legislation, insufficient police resources, and a notable lack of comprehensive anti-discrimination measures. In Sweden, the journey to justice for victims of hate crimes is fraught with obstacles. The narrow application of current hate crime laws renders many victims helpless, unable to seek any form of redress. Inadequate police resources further exacerbate this injustice, leaving many hate crimes unexamined. Discrimination persists, particularly in policing, where reports reveal ethnic and racial profiling—troublesome practices that remain uncategorized under existing anti-discrimination legislation, effectively silencing the voices of those affected. Moreover, the plight of the Sámi people unveils another layer of rights violations. Decisions concerning their traditional lands often exclude their rightful input, dismantling their autonomy and agency. Civil Rights Defenders urges reforms to secure Sámi consent in all relevant decision-making processes, aiming to restore their voice in governance. Looking ahead, the shadow report outlines 30 crucial recommendations aimed at correcting these systemic failures. Among the proactive suggestions is the need to amend the Discrimination Act to explicitly prohibit discriminatory police measures and to redefine hate speech parameters within the criminal code—to ensure context is accounted for. Additionally, the report calls for the abolition of solitary confinement for minors and protections for migrants’ access to fundamental services without discrimination. As the UN Universal Periodic Review approaches, the spotlight on Sweden’s human rights track record reveals not just shortcomings but opportunities for profound transformation. Sweden is positioned to rise above its current challenges by addressing these critical areas, reaffirming its commitment to human dignity and equality for all citizens. This proactive spirit is encapsulated in the urgent call for protective legislation and policy reforms that would create a safer, fairer society for everyone.
The Civil Rights Defenders, along with seven other organizations, submitted a shadow report in preparation for Sweden’s review by the UN Human Rights Council in 2025. This report seeks to bring attention to the deterioration of human rights, particularly regarding hate crimes, discrimination against marginalized groups, Indigenous rights, and the treatment of migrants. The UN conducts these periodic reviews to ensure member states adhere to international human rights standards, and Sweden’s challenges in these areas will be scrutinized once again in their upcoming session. Previous reviews have led to recommendations for Sweden, but progress has been limited, prompting the need for civil society to submit comprehensive assessments that highlight existing gaps and urge reforms.
In summary, the shadow report by Civil Rights Defenders casts a stark light on Sweden’s faltering human rights landscape as it faces another UN review. Key deficiencies in the protection against hate crimes, discrimination, and Indigenous rights are underscored, with concrete recommendations provided to reshape the country’s approach to these critical issues. As stakeholders prepare for the upcoming discussions, the hope remains that Sweden will take actionable steps toward affirming its role as a champion of human rights.
Original Source: crd.org
