HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE ENDS CONSIDERATION OF SWEDEN'S REPORT
Press Release
HR/CT/442
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE ENDS CONSIDERATION OF SWEDEN'S REPORT
19951025 GENEVA, 25 October (United Nations Information Service) -- The compliance of Swedish legal practice with that of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights was further examined this morning as the Human Rights Committee concluded its consideration of the report of Sweden.Any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constituted incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence was prohibited by the Swedish law, the delegation assured the experts. It also stated that expulsion of aliens from Swedish territory was subject to the Act on Special Control of Aliens introduced in 1991 and empowered the Government to carry out that function.
Examination of Report
LARS MAGNUSON (Sweden), responding to questions relating to freedom of movement and expulsion of aliens, the right to privacy and freedom of conscience, opinion and expression, said Swedish citizens were not subject to extradition or expulsion whatever the gravity of the offence. On the other hand, aliens who had committed crimes on Swedish territory could be expelled after court proceedings and notification of the crime they had committed.
The 1989 Act on Terrorists had been replaced in 1991 by the Act on Special Control of Aliens, which stipulated that the Government could decide to expel aliens if necessary for reasons of national security. In such cases, a hearing should be organized at which the alien was heard. It was possible in certain circumstances to detain aliens under that Act. When one expert asked if there was a philosophy that only aliens were terrorists, the delegation responded that any alien suspected of being a terrorist was subject to expulsion whereas a Swede, even one found to be a terrorist, could not be expelled.
With regard to discrimination and xenophobia, the delegation said that any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred that constituted incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence was prohibited by law. Freedom of association in respect to organizations whose activities were of a military nature or which involved the persecution of a population group of a particular race, skin colour or ethnic origin could be restricted by a decision of the Government. In order to strengthen the protection against offences committed on grounds of racism, the Penal Code was amended to increase the culpability of such offences. Concerning ethnic discrimination on the labour market, the Ombudsman against Ethnic Discrimination had been given a litigating role in the court procedures.
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Concerning the Sami Assembly, the delegations affirmed that that authority was created by the Swedish Parliament with the aim of nurturing a living Sami culture in Sweden. A department was also established to provide information about the Sami agency's activities and about the conditions of the Sami people.
As to freedom of opinion and expression through electronic and written media, the delegation said that the Government was involved in granting licenses to run any organization of that kind by laying down directives to be followed in the interests of the population. The National Board of Film Censorship made preliminary examinations of films and ideograms that would be shown in public. Films and videos should not be approved for children under the age of 15 if they were liable to cause emotional shock to children in the relevant age group.
On migrants and refugees, the delegation said the cases of refugees were handled in accordance with the 1951 Convention in addition to de facto refugee situations. Two commissions were dealing with the examination of refugee status. In all cases, the integration process was carried out following the acceptance of the refugee to that status.
Concluding Remarks by Committee Members
Several speakers commended the delegation of Sweden for its constructive responses and for the good presentation of the report, which they said was well documented and submitted on time. The experts also appreciated Sweden's human rights record, together with its commitment towards equality of the sexes. However, they expressed concern about the rise of racism and xenophobia within Swedish society, particularly involving youth. All organizations reflecting hatred and violence should be abolished in all societies, many experts said. Another concern focused on the absence of the right of appeal in certain criminal cases, which speakers found to be incompatible with the provisions of the Covenant.
With regard to the Act on Special Control of Aliens, many experts were of the view that an independent judiciary body should be involved in handling cases pertaining to expulsion. The establishment of a monitoring body to look into the implementation of the recommendations of the Committee was also recommended. Some experts expressed dissatisfaction concerning the rights of the Sami people with regard to fishing and hunting.
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