”I don’t understand how the refugee tragedy that we are witnessing is considered more serious for us than for all of those who live through it”
– Theodor Kallifatides

We are hereby defending the human rights of asylum seeking refugees who are making their way to, and seeking refuge in, our country. Sweden is a wealthy country and has plenty of room to accept more people. We want asylum seeking people, adults and children, to feel welcome and to be granted the protection they need.

The Right to Asylum is a human right – according to both Swedish law and the international Conventions, of which Sweden is a signatory.

”Everyone has the right to freedom of movement and residence within the border of each state.”
– From Article 14 in the UN Declaration of Human Rights

We demand permanent residency – to enable integration into Swedish society and the possibility to return to their country of origin, when the person can and wants to do so. According to experts in law and medicine, the proposed temporary residency is devastating for every refugee in need of protection and for Sweden from a humanitarian, economic, administrative and labour law perspective. Temporary residencies also contravene the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the best interest of the child.

We demand that the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child be implemented – the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is planned to be enacted in Swedish law. Article 39 states that children who have been victims of abuse or who have experienced armed conflict have the right to recovery and social reintegration ’in an environment that fosters the health, self-respect and dignity of the child.’ All experience shows that what refugee children need is hope, safety and stability.

We demand the right to family reunification for those that have been separated against their will. Article 10 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states that family reunion applications from a child or a child’s parents should be processed in a ‘positive, humane and expeditious manner.’

We oppose the unethical and unscientific assessment of age that is currently used. These have been condemned by paediatricians and other experts because the margin of error is too large, leading to legally unsafe decisions.

We question the identity controls of people on their way to Sweden. Identity controls are preventing refugees to reach and apply for asylum in Sweden or to continue onwards. Amongst those who do not have a passport are many of the most vulnerable and traumatised people, who really do need to come to Sweden. The identity documents could equally well be shown to the Swedish Migration Board when the refugee is applying for asylum.

We want to see more effective proposals that aim to solve the housing crisis, the employment crisis and the school crisis and thus fulfil the prerequisites for a good reception of asylum seekers, instead of the Government’s proposal on how to prevent people from coming to Sweden.

Sweden must protect Human Rights! Defend the Right to Asylum!

The Peoples Campaign for the Right to Asylum / Petition
Etikkommissionen is one of the organizations behind The Peoples Campaign for the Right to Asylum. Join us in the campaign – sign and share the message.