Sweden’s foreign policy work for the rule of law

The International Development Law Organization

Through Sida, Sweden is one of the largest donors to the International Development Law Organization, an intergovernmental organisation specialising in the rule of law. It operates in around 90 countries, working on capacity-building for rule of law functions. Focus areas include access to justice, gender equality, sustainability and health, economic development and the importance of the rule of law for trade and investment. 

The Venice Commission

The Venice Commission, also known as the European Commission for Democracy through Law, is the Council of Europe’s advisory body on constitutional matters. Its mission is to assist the Member States, which consist of the Council of Europe Member States and 15 other non-European countries. The Venice Commission advises the Member States to ensure that their governance and legal systems are in line with European standards and international experience in the areas of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. The Venice Commission works in three main areas: (1) democratic institutions and fundamental rights, (2) constitutional courts and the judiciary in general, and (3) elections, referendums and political parties.

Individual members of the Venice Commission are academics in public and international law, judges, members of parliament and civil servants. Members are independent but are appointed by Member States for a period of four years at a time. Sweden’s members are Iain Cameron, Professor of International Law at Uppsala University, and Elisabet Fura, former Swedish judge at the European Court of Human Rights.

In May 2025, Sweden signed the Council of Europe’s new Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer – the first international treaty of its kind. The aim is to strengthen the core principles of the rule of law by safeguarding the independence and safety of lawyers.

The European Union

The EU plays an important role in promoting the rule of law both within the Union and globally. In its annual rule of law reports, the European Commission reviews developments in the Member States, and the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights provides analyses and reports on key rights issues. Within the framework of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, the EU raises recurring issues related to the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary in its human rights dialogues with other countries. Furthermore, the EU’s joint assistance supports efforts globally with the aim of strengthening institutions that promote the rule of law and counter corruption.