On May 5, 2025, Sweden was reviewed for the fourth time under the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) by the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Working Group. During the UPR, three documents provided the basis for the review: Sweden’s national report, assessments from UN and treaty bodies and the submissions from stakeholders, including civil society and independent institutions.
Key concerns identified in the review
At the UPR, the Swedish Institute for Human Rights noted that Sweden’s current national human rights strategy was adopted in 2016 and was now outdated. It called for an assessment of the national strategy and the creation of a New, long-term strategy and action plan with close involvement of civil society and rights holders.
The review examined the rights of the indigenous Sami people. It looked at how the impact of climate change, the industrialization of Sami livelihoods (including fishing and animal husbandry), and issues surrounding the implementation of the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) influenced land use decision-making. It also identified a need to strengthen the legal protections and opportunities for the Sami to be involved in decisions affecting their lands and ways of life.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRCOT) for the Tornedalians, Kvens, and Lantalaiset (national minorities) has made recommendations in 2023 regarding processes of reconciliation to establish ongoing reconciliation processes, the need to acknowledge the past and to acknowledge the past abuses (which occurred in specifically oppressive contexts), and to start to think about the possibility of indicating the Tornedalians’ indigenous status. It was clear to the TRCOT review that Sweden needs to commit to, implement fully, and keep mechanisms in place to monitor whether they are implementing these processes effectively.
Stakeholders recommended that disability be added as a specifically protected ground in hate crime laws, and more engagement of persons with disabilities would be noted in the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).
Stakeholders also criticized the lack of data collection and legislative review on hate crimes against persons with disabilities. Stakeholders also expressed concern over Sweden’s prohibition on homeschooling, and some stakeholders felt this constituted a violation of the rights of parents to raise their children through an education of their child’s choosing, as outlined in international human rights instruments. Gender-affirming Care for Minors: there was a divide on the modality of gender-affirming care for minors. Some stakeholders applauded restrictions on medical interventions, while some criticized the legal changes allowing minors over the age of 16 to switch their legal gender.
Some submissions criticized Sweden’s permissive abortion laws, calling for greater protection of life at all stages. Asylum, Refugee, and Statelessness Issues: The UNHCR recommended ensuring that temporary protection holders receive the same rights as recognized refugees and raised concerns about family reunification, statelessness, and protection for at-risk groups such as children and sexual minorities.
Recommendations and proposals
Sweden should update its human rights strategy, ensuring it is relevant to current challenges and includes a concrete action plan developed with civil society involvement. Sweden should ensure land use decisions in Sami areas do not harm Sami culture and should fully implement international standards, including FPIC. Legal and policy frameworks should be aligned with indigenous rights.
Sweden should take into account the recommendations for fully implementing concrete measures, respecting and recognizing the Tornedalian, Kven and Lantalaiset national minorities and continuing reconciliation and possibly recognition of Indigenous status. Disability should be added as a protected category in hate crime legislation, and Sweden should improve data collection and data analysis in relation to hate crimes against persons with disabilities.
Sweden should enhance the participation of persons with disabilities, including children and youth, in CRPD implementation. Sweden was also encouraged to reconsider its prohibition on homeschooling and allow parental discretion in education. Some recommendations called for continued restrictions on gender-affirming medical interventions for minors and reconsideration of legal gender change laws for those under 18. Calls were made for Sweden to review its abortion laws and provide more support to pregnant women, though these views were not universally shared.
The UNHCR recommended equal rights for temporary protection holders, improved family reunification processes, and better protection for stateless persons and at-risk groups.
