Democracy and human rights

Today, October 29, at a meeting in the cooperation format between the Nordic Ministers for Foreign Affairs (N5) there was an exchange of views with Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, leader of the Belarusian democratic forces in exile, on the situation in Belarus and on how best to support the Belarusian democratic movement.

Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard delivered an address during the UN Federation’s seminar on UN Day on 24 October 2024. The seminar was held at the Stockholm Concert Hall. Check against delivery.

On 20 September, the task force for Jewish life in Sweden held its fifth meeting. The topic was rising antisemitism, with a special focus on social media and how it affects Jewish schoolchildren in Sweden.

National Statement at the 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) delivered by Minister for Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Stenergard on behalf of Sweden. New York, September 2024. Check against delivery.

The text of the following joint statement was released by the Governments of Australia, Chile, Denmark, France, Iceland, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Sweden, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States of America

The European Union remains extremely concerned about the deepening political crisis in Venezuela.

As a result of the disputed election in Venezuela and as part of an upcoming initiative aiming to improve conditions for free elections, the Swedish Government intends to increase its support to freedom of expression, freedom of the press and independent media in Venezuela by SEK 10 million.

Everyone has the right to be themselves without risking violence, harassment or discrimination. LGBTIQ people’s equal rights and opportunities are a priority issue for the Government, and development of a new action plan is under way. The Government is also implementing a large number of other initiatives in this area.

The Government has decided to support the Reporters Shield initiative with SEK 5 million over a two-year period. Reporters Shield is a new long-term support programme that provides legal support to journalists and other media actors operating in repressive environments when they are targeted by baseless lawsuits.

The Government is now presenting an action programme to prevent and combat men’s violence against women, domestic violence, honour-based violence and oppression, and prostitution and human trafficking for the period 2024–2026. The programme contains over 130 initiatives and measures to be undertaken on a broad front at national, regional and local level. The efforts will also be strengthened in four special priority areas for development.

On Tuesday 4 June, the task force for Jewish life in Sweden held its fourth meeting, which focused on education. Invited representatives of schools, universities, other higher education institutions and liberal adult education attended the meeting.

This regional strategy for the Syria crisis forms part of Sweden’s overall development and foreign policy and will help to strengthen local resilience among the Syrian population, Syrian refugees and vulnerable groups in the refugee-hosting communities of neighbouring countries Jordan, Lebanon and Türkiye, all of which are major regional recipients of Syrian refugees.

Johan Floderus and Saeed Azizi, the two Swedish citizens wrongfully imprisoned in Iran, have come home to Sweden.

Sweden’s strategy for civilian crisis management and peace promotion is a part of the governance of Sweden’s collective development, foreign and security policy. The strategy will contribute to strengthening the multilateral organisations’ capability to prevent, predict, manage and resolve crises and conflicts and help promote sustainable peace, security, democracy and increased respect for human rights and freedoms and the rule of law.

The Government has adopted a new regional strategy for the Syria crisis. It comprises SEK 880 million over three years and is being implemented by Sida. Sweden’s engagement is aimed at supporting the Syrian population in Syria, Syrian refugees and vulnerable groups in host societies in the neighbouring countries Jordan, Lebanon and Türkiye.

The EU has adopted a new sanctions regime in response to increasing political repression in Russia. In light of the decision, 19 natural persons and one entity have been added to the sanctions list.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies have organised a conference on Belarus to strengthen dialogue with Belarusian democratic forces in exile.

This year’s Per Anger Prize went to Sithar Chhim, who fights for democracy and respect for human rights in Cambodia. Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand presented the award on 25 April during a ceremony at the Living History Forum.

Today, on World Press Freedom Day, the Government announced that it is expanding and deepening our work for press freedom around the world through several key actors. Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Johan Forssell and Minister for Culture Parisa Liljestrand, opinion piece, Expressen, 3 May 2024.