The second National Action Plan for Human Rights
At the UN World Conference on Human Rights that took place in Vienna in 1993, all states were recommended to consider drawing up national action plans in order to identify measures to improve the promotion and protection of human rights.
The communication A national Action Plan for Human Rights, 2006-2009 (Government Communication 2005/06:95) sets out a coherent approach to human rights issues in Sweden. The communication contains a number of measures aimed at promoting respect for human rights during the period 2006-2009. In connection with the presentation of the action plan in March 2006, the Government established the Delegation for Human Rights in Sweden (ToR 2006:27).
Objectives and intentions
The Government's long term objective is to ensure full respect for human rights in Sweden. This means that human rights, as expressed through Sweden's international commitments, must not be violated. The Swedish legal system must comply with the international human rights conventions that Sweden has acceded to. These conventions are to be followed at both central and local government levels. To achieve the objective of securing full respect for human rights it is important to conduct regular reviews of the possible problems that exist with regard to the protection of different rights in Sweden. A key task is to increase knowledge and awareness of human rights. It is also essential that efforts to protect and promote human rights are coordinated. In the national action plan the Government adopts a coherent approach to human rights issues in Sweden, both specific rights issues and issues related to knowledge, information and organisation.
Focus
The focus of the action plan is on protection against discrimination. Other issues include the rights of disabled people, the rights of the child, national minorities and the indigenous Sami people, men’s violence against women including violence in the name of honour and human trafficking, the right to work, housing, health and education, rule of law issues and asylum and migration. Other measures aimed at increasing knowledge and information on human rights, both within the educational system and among the general public, are announced. Finally, the action plan addresses issues concerning the organisation of human rights efforts and methods, and followup and evaluation of the action plan.
Delegation on Human Rights in Sweden
In conjunction with the presentation of the action
plan, the Government established a Delegation to
support the long-term task of securing full respect
for human rights in Sweden based on the action plan
(ToR 2006:27). Within the framework of its remit the
Delegation is responsible for
− supporting government agencies, municipalities and
county councils in their work to secure full respect
for human rights in their areas of activity,
− developing and implementing strategies to increase
information and knowledge about human rights in
special target groups in the community,
− stimulating public discussion on human rights, and
− presenting proposals on how to support the task of
ensuring full respect for human rights in Sweden
when the Delegation has completed is assignment.
Last edited 2010-07-09
