A/HRC/15/60
welcomed the opportunity to engage in its human rights work with interested parties, and
stated that ensuring respect for its international human rights obligations was an ongoing
process.
474. While preparing for the review, Sweden consulted civil society organizations,
including those representing indigenous peoples and national minorities. The draft national
report was posted on the Government’s human rights website, to ensure the broadest
possible transparency. After the review, Sweden held a first follow-up meeting with civil
society.
475. Sweden received a large number of recommendations, of which it had accepted the
great majority. Some of the issues deserving further consideration were addressed in the
addendum to the Working Group report.
476. Several States encouraged Sweden to establish a national human rights institution.
The Delegation for Human Rights was examining this issue, and its findings would be
presented to the Government by 30 September 2010. Accordingly, pending the result of the
inquiry, the Government would not yet take a position on the matter.
477. With regard to the recommendations relating to racism and the treatment of
immigrants and members of minority groups, Sweden was committed to be an open and
inclusive society. Crimes of a racist, xenophobic or homophobic nature ran counter to
Swedish fundamental values; since the mid-1990s Sweden had taken a number of steps to
counter worrying indications of an increase in hate crime, and would continue to do so.
478. Sweden did not accept the recommendation calling upon it to ban racist
organizations. Sweden explained that there was a constitutional ban on censorship, so
public authorities were not allowed to scrutinize texts or other messages prior to their
dissemination. Sweden had comprehensive legislation in place to address racism. The penal
code contained provisions covering contempt or discrimination on the grounds of race,
colour or national or ethnic origin, namely those relating to agitation against a national or
ethnic group and unlawful discrimination. The Act on Responsibility for Electronic Bulletin
Boards also counteracted agitation against a national or ethnic group and could be applied
to racist propaganda. The penal code provided for aggravated sentencing when the motive
for an offence was xenophobic or otherwise motivated by hatred. Thus, while an
organization as such may not be illegal, specific statements of a racist character were
punishable.
479. Sweden accepted the recommendation to pay more attention to the issues of
Islamophobia, hatred towards Muslims and incitement to hatred against Muslims, while
emphasizing that the Government was already paying continuous attention to these issues.
480. Regarding the recommendation to provide health care to persons residing in Sweden
without a permit on the same basis as to persons domiciled in the country, asylum-seekers
under the age of 18 years and children who had gone into hiding were entitled to health and
medical care on the same conditions as all other children domiciled in Sweden. Nobody
could be denied emergency care on the grounds of inability to pay. A Government inquiry
was currently examining the issue of subsidized health care for persons staying in Sweden
without having applied for the necessary permits, and its final report would be released in
May 2011. Therefore, the issue raised by this recommendation was under review.
481. Regarding recommendations related to the Sámi indigenous people, a central tenet
of Swedish policy was that the Sámi were to enjoy the very same respect for human rights
as all other persons. Parliament had recognized the Sámi as Sweden’s only indigenous
people, and the Government proposed to Parliament in December 2009 that the
Constitution be amended to give explicit recognition to the Sámi.
154
GE.11-17043
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