Day 99 - Reflections on Sweden
Reading between the lines
Often people ask me why I chose to come to Sweden. Well let me show you a bit of the reasons why. This is a list of quotes about human rights and Sweden… So go ahead and read over them and after you get an image of the image they so dearly hang onto and then I will tell you my thoughts. I will put my thoughts in italics so you know when it is me versus when it is them
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Sweden presents itself as a country built on equality, human dignity and strong legal protection of human rights, including in migration and asylum policy. Sweden often appears in international discussions as a “human rights country” – a state that weaves equality, non‑discrimination and inclusion into its domestic laws and foreign policy. These 20 quotes from Swedish government and agency sources show how that self‑image is expressed in practice, from disability inclusion to asylum and migration. (Sources listed below)
20 Powerful Quotes on Human Rights in Sweden
1–5: Universal human rights and equality
1. “Human rights are universal and apply to all, regardless of sex, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation, age, or other status.”[4]
2. “The Government of Sweden is firmly committed to the protection and promotion of human rights, democracy and the rule of law for all.”[3]
3. “The equal worth of every person and the right of all people to live a life of dignity are fundamental principles of Swedish policy.”[3]
4. “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights… This year’s Human Rights Day theme relates to ‘Equality’ and Article 1 of the UDHR.” (Embassy of Sweden communication)[5]
5. “The 2030 Agenda is universal and firmly anchored in human rights. No one should be left behind.”[3]
6–10: Disability rights as human rights
6. “Sweden’s policy is to achieve equitable living conditions and full participation in a diverse society for people with disabilities.”[1]
7. “Sweden’s national objective for disability policy is based on the Convention [CRPD], and set out to achieve equal living conditions and full participation for persons with disabilities.”[6]
8. “The Act concerning support and service for persons with certain functional impairments aims to ensure self‑determination, independence and full participation for persons with disabilities.”[6]
9. “The LSS Act aims to promote disability rights and is part of the Swedish national strategy to fulfil the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, to promote equal opportunities in life and full participation in society.”[7]
10. “Sweden is one of the countries that has committed to work for inclusion for people with disabilities.”[8]
11–15: Human rights in Swedish foreign policy
11. “The promotion and protection of human rights is a cornerstone of Swedish foreign policy.”[3]
12. “Sweden will remain a strong, outspoken and long‑term partner for the UN’s work to protect and promote human rights worldwide.”[3]
13. “The best foundation for peaceful and inclusive societies is democratic processes and institutions characterized by transparency and accountability, respect for human rights and the rule of law.”[3]
14. “The ‘leaving no one behind’ principle is rooted in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international human rights instruments.”[9]
15. “The individual is at the heart of the ‘leaving no one behind’ principle. The right of every individual to fulfil their potential is fundamental.”[9]
16–20: Migration, asylum and the Swedish Migration Agency
Sweden’s migration and asylum framework is also explicitly framed in human rights language, even as policy has become more restrictive in recent years. Several government and Migration Agency texts underline that asylum procedures must respect fundamental rights.[2]
16. “Sweden has an international obligation to examine applications for asylum and to offer protection to those who need it, in accordance with the UN Refugee Convention and European Union law.” (Government information on migration policy)[2]
17. “The right to seek asylum is a fundamental human right. People who come to Sweden and apply for asylum have the right to have their application examined individually and fairly.” (Swedish Migration Agency general information)[2]
18. “The Swedish Migration Agency is responsible for ensuring that asylum seekers are treated with dignity and that their human rights are respected throughout the asylum process.” (Agency description of its mandate)[2]
19. “Children’s rights must always be a primary consideration in the asylum process, in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.” (Swedish Migration Agency guidance on children and asylum)[2]
20. “Sweden will pursue a migration policy that safeguards the right of asylum and, at the same time, protects the functioning of the welfare system and social cohesion.” (Government statement on migration and asylum policy)[2]
These quotes reveal a consistent narrative: Sweden grounds its disability policy, equality agenda and migration system in a language of universal human rights and individual dignity, even as the concrete policies are constantly debated and revised.
Sources
[1] Disability policy in Sweden: what does it mean? | sweden.se https://sweden.se/life/equality/disability-policy
[2] Human rights in Sweden https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_Sweden
[3] Human Rights and the 2030 Agenda: Swedish speech https://www.swedenabroad.se/en/embassies/un-geneva/current/statements/human-rights-and-the-2030-agenda-swedish-speech/
[4] Statement by Ms Paulina Brandberg, Minister for Gender ... https://www.government.se/speeches/2025/03/statement-by-ms-paulina-brandberg-minister-for-gender-equality/
[5] All human beings are born free and equal in dignity ... https://www.facebook.com/EmbassyofSwedeninLusaka/posts/all-human-beings-are-born-free-and-equal-in-dignity-and-rights-human-rights-are-/1169091325330732/
[6] Experts of the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ... https://www.ohchr.org/en/meeting-summaries/2024/03/experts-committee-rights-persons-disabilities-commend-sweden-its
[7] the influence of personal assistance on disability rights in Sweden ... https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09687599.2025.2584173
[8] “I am a very active person”: Disability organizations as ... https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0743016724000949
[9] SWEDEN AND THE LEAVING NO ONE BEHIND PRINCIPLE https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/26672Sweden_and_LNOB_2020.pdf
In practice nothing could be further from the truth.
These quotes reveal a consistent narrative, Sweden is one big fucking liar. If they are trying to leave no one behind, who the hell am I?
Sweden is a master class in passive aggression and double speak. So utterly disappointing since they brag so much about “caring” for human rights. I thought Americans were apathetic, but Swedes have run laps around us. This country only cares about image, not reality. It is like 1950s America: everyone is so comfortable here and has so much expendable money and has so many creature comforts that they too fucking sedated to stand up for what’s right. This has been the biggest bait and switch ever… But guess what? They weren’t ready for a motherfucker like me (someone that has an undying passion for integrity and will call these liars on their bullshit.)
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