Strengthen the links between human rights and sustainable peace in aid strategies

Of: Daniel Wickstrom, Fredrik Svensson and Ulrika Strand

Strategies are the government's most important instrument for managing development cooperation and humanitarian aid. Although the government recognizes the links between human rights and sustainable peace, our study shows that the strategies do not do them justice. It writes representatives of the Fund for Human Rights.

December 17, 2018, Debate

Scars from the past pose a threat to democracy today

The memorial site for the victims in Srebrenica.

We need to remember history to stop today's threat to democracy, writes Anders Lindberg in Aftonbladet. Here is a memorial site after the massacre in Srebrenica in Bosnia in 1995. Photo: Jolle Visset (CC BY 2.0)

Of: Maja Sundstrand

Last week's debate spreads uneasily between several areas related to global developments - from environmental issues in international trade to antibiotic resistance. But what dominates the debate are issues that connect scars from the past and contemporary threats to democracy and human rights.

November 14, 2018, Current debate

Everyone should get their share of the chocolate cake

Chocolate cake.

Researchers warn that chocolate may run out within 30 years. Climate change can hit hard on cocoa farmers.

Of: Maria Lövström

Today is chocolate day, but chocolate will not always be a matter of course. To ensure cocoa cultivation is free from human rights violations and with respect for the environment, we must review our consumer goods, writes Maria Lövström, chairman of the Fair Trade Retailers Organization.

November 11, 2018, Debate

Who will stand up for human rights?

Protest against arms trade with Saudi Arabia.

Human rights activists in London are protesting against the arms trade with Saudi Arabia. Photo: Campaign Against Arms Trade (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Of: Celina Lindgren

The murder of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi still makes its mark on the Swedish debate. At the same time, other debaters are worried about Jair Bolsonaro's victory in the Brazilian presidential election. In addition, Sweden's deportations of children, and incorrect figures on the number of climate refugees, are being debated.

October 31, 2018, Current debate

Stop slowing down the UN agreement on companies' violations of human rights

Large machines at a mine.

In many places in the world, people are forced to move from their homes due to mining.

Of: Max Andersson

Global companies need to take responsibility for human rights violations, even when committed by their subcontractors. Now it is time for Sweden and the EU to stop slowing down negotiations in the UN on a binding agreement against global predation, writes EU parliamentarian Max Andersson (MP).

October 15, 2018, Debate

We feel threatened as activists for global justice

Ager volunteers in Uppsala. Photo: Josefin Casteryd / icon

Ager volunteers in Uppsala. Photo: Josefin Casteryd / icon

Of: The action volunteers

The new social climate in Sweden threatens not only vulnerable groups but also activists. We now notice a threat against people who are committed to global justice. This is a serious democracy problem. It is time for the government to take its responsibility, write young activists within the Church of Sweden's international work and the Church of Sweden's Youth.

September 27, 2018, Debate

World Cup sponsors must act for human rights

Photo: Kremlin.ru, WikimediaCommons

Of: Alice Blondel

Today is the Swedish premiere of the World Cup in Russia. Several organizations have sounded the alarm that human rights have been violated during the preparations for the championship. Companies that sponsor Sweden's participation have a responsibility to try to prevent such violations, but a new report from Swedwatch shows a gap between policy and practice. It is time for the sponsors to go from word to deed, writes Swedwatch's Chancellor Alice Blondel.

June 18, 2018, Debate