Week 44: Debaters criticize the government on several points

Foreign Minister Tobias Billström (M) received sharp criticism during last week's debate - among other things for having called Turkey a democracy. Photo: Reinis Inkēns, Saeima's Administration. Source: Wikimedia commons.

Of: Elianne Kjellman and Ella Sjöbeck

Foreign Minister Tobias Billström's (M) statements about Turkey have stirred emotions during the past week's debate. The new government's aid and climate policy has also been debated. 

November 7, 2022, Current debate

Week 40: "Support for women in Iran must not stop at murmurs"

Debaters demand that the EU and the rest of the world act more unitedly and forcefully in support of the protests in Iran. Pictured: Demonstrations in Stockholm in solidarity with Iranian women's freedom struggle. Photo: Artin Bakhan. Source: Unsplash.

Of: Sandra Duru and Vilma Ellemark

The discussion around the outside world's support for the protests in Iran continues. Several debaters believe that Sweden, the EU and the free world must now move from words to action. Also Erdogan outcome of a Swedish satirical program has been discussed during the past week.  

October 11, 2022, Current debate

Week 22: Climate summit in Stockholm and Turkey's demands for Swedish NATO membership guide this week's debate

This is what it looked like when world leaders triumphantly agreed on the 1,5-degree goal at the climate summit in Paris in 2015. In connection with the Stockholm + 50 meeting that took place this week, it is still a matter of rolling up our sleeves and getting the job done, Lovisa Arvidsson writes in Aftonbladet. Photo: UNclimatechange. Source: Flickr.

Of: Hanne Karlsson and Markus Hietanen

During the past week, both Turkey's demands for Swedish NATO membership and the Stockholm + 50 Climate Summit have been debated. How should Sweden respond to Turkey's various demands and what is most important to prioritize in the climate issue? 

June 8, 2022, Current debate

Week 17: New wave of covid-19 in India, Swedish geopolitics and authoritarian regimes

Photo: Firos nv, Unsplash

Of: Erica Frank and Sofia Karlsson

This week, the debate has mainly focused on global health, focusing on India's new wave of covid-19, so-called vaccine nationalism, and how the Indian government has handled the crisis. It has also been written about Erdogan's influence on Swedish history writing and about Swedish handling of authoritarian regimes.

May 4, 2021, Current debate

Women continue to be excluded from peace processes in Turkey

The organization Operation 1325 has produced recommendations on how Sweden can contribute to the implementation of the UN resolution on women, peace and security in Turkey. Photo: UN Women Gallery, Flickr.com.

Of: Julia Thalin

Turkey's involvement in conflicts has escalated in the past year. At the same time, the political space for women's organization is shrinking and women continue to be excluded from peace processes. Civil society is now raising its voice for compliance with the UN resolution on women, peace and security throughout the country.

December 14, 2020, News

Turkey is considering leaving the Council of Europe Convention on Violence against Women

Photo: Photographer: Özge Sebzeci, www.flickr.com/photos/condevcenter/33397032776/sizes/l/

Of: Julia Thalin

Reports of increased violence against women in Turkey and the murder of 27-year-old Pinar Gültekins this summer have created major protests. Nevertheless, President Erdoğan and the conservative AKP are considering abandoning the Council of Europe Convention on Violence against Women.

October 13, 2020, News

Debaters demand that the EU put pressure on Turkey on the migration issue

Flags of Turkey and the EU

The EU should immediately suspend negotiations with Turkey on EU membership, some debaters write.

Of: Ina Carlsson

The EU's conflict with Turkey over who will receive the many migrants continues. Several debaters believe that the EU must put pressure on Turkish President Erdogan to reach a new migration agreement. In addition, this week WWF has been criticized for its support for cotton certifications.

March 12, 2020, Current debate

Refugees at the EU border stir up emotions

Migrants in Greece

The migrants who try to enter the EU stir up strong emotions on debate and leadership sides in Sweden. Photo: Freedom House

Of: Rine Mansouri

After Turkey opened its borders with Greece this weekend, there has been a debate about Sweden's responsibility to receive refugees and respect the right to asylum. Debate and leader pages have advocated everything from tougher boundaries to more solidarity with the people who are fleeing.

March 5, 2020, Current debate

Syrians are not seen as refugees in Turkey

In Turkey, there are about 3,5 million Syrians fleeing the war. But under Turkish law, they are not seen as refugees. Many are now being deported back to Syria.

Of: Adam Eskång

The situation of Syrian refugees in Turkey is anything but certain. They must be integrated, learn the language and find their place in society, while not knowing if they can stay at all. Several reports show that Syrians are being deported against their will.

January 27, 2020, FUF-correspondents

Turkey: a new humanitarian superpower?

The majority of Turkey's aid goes to Syria. Here, flour bags are loaded for Syrian refugees at the border between the countries. Photo: Lynsey Addario, Flickr

Of: Jakob Öberg

Turkey was the world's sixth largest donor in 2017. Taking into account the country's GDP, Turkey provides the fourth largest aid in the world. According to Turkish professor Meliha Benli Altunışık, Turkey has become a great humanitarian power. The major shift in Turkey's aid policy took place in 2012, when the aid budget doubled. The budget has since continued to increase year after year. Several researchers have […]

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December 18, 2019, FUF-correspondents