Human rights, democracy and the rule of law in development cooperation
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Through international development cooperation, Sweden is one of the world’s largest donors to human rights and freedoms, democracy and the rule of law. Initiatives in this area are a primary focus of Sweden’s development assistance, accounting for approximately a quarter of our total aid budget. Support to human rights and democracy defenders is especially important at a time of democratic backsliding and shrinking space for civil society in many parts of the world. Swedish development assistance policy also puts particular focus on creating conditions for free and fair elections.
Sweden is one of the world’s largest donors in support of freedom of expression online and offline, including to free and independent media. The safety of journalists is prioritised in international efforts, given that threats, violence and the murder of journalists are a growing problem in many parts of the world. Female journalists are particularly at risk.
Sweden also provides extensive support to the Office of the High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR), which has primary responsibility within the UN for the promotion and protection of human rights, and for integrating human rights into the work of the other UN bodies. The OHCHR serves as the secretariat of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), its special rapporteurs, commissions of inquiry and working groups, and the treaty bodies that monitor States’ implementation of international human rights treaties.
Sources for further information about human rights, democracy and the rule of law in development cooperation.
Sweden’s foreign policy work for human rights, democracy and the rule of law
This webpage is part of the theme page about Sweden’s foreign policy work for human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
