Statement by Sweden at the consideration of its combined 6th and 7th periodic report at the Ninety-Second Session of the Committee on the Rights of the Child

Mr/Ms Chair, distinguished Members of the Committee, dear NGO representatives, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am delighted to be here with you today.

On behalf of the Swedish Government, I want to thank the members of the Committee on the Rights of the Child for your continuous efforts to protect and promote the rights of the child around the world. Sweden remains firmly committed to protecting and defending international law, and fulfilling its international human rights obligations. I would also like to thank the Ombudsman for Children in Sweden, the Swedish Institute for Human Rights and the civil society organisations for their supplementary reports. Their expertise and dedication are highly valuable for this dialogue and for our continued work. Sweden recognises the essential role that accountability mechanisms such as this Committee and supplementary reports play in a vital democracy and in safeguarding human rights.  

In his inaugural address, our Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, stated that all children, should be given a genuine chance to thrive in life. As the Minister for Social Services, with responsibility for the policy on the rights of the child in Sweden, ensuring that this happens will be a key duty of mine in the coming years.

The composition of my delegation reflects the broad mandate of Swedish policy on the rights of the child in all areas of government. I am joined by representatives of several ministries involved in implementing the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The importance of the Convention cannot be overstated. It is an expression of the inherent dignity, worth and rights of every person under the age of 18. Sweden has long been committed to advancing this agenda, I am very proud and committed to carrying this work forward. 

Mr/Ms Chair, distinguished Members of the Committee,

On 1 January 2020, Sweden took an important step towards strengthening the promotion and protection of the rights of the child by incorporating the Convention into Swedish legislation. This reform has already contributed to raised awareness of the rights of the child throughout the public sector and has put greater emphasis on the Convention in both policymaking and in practice. In addition, the Swedish National Institute for Human Rights was established on 1 January 2022, further strengthening our capacity to safeguard the human rights.

I would also like to mention that we are currently reviewing the complaint mechanisms for children and that we have an ongoing governmental inquiry on children’s opportunities to claim their rights. This inquiry has also been instructed to consider whether Sweden should ratify the third Optional Protocol to the Convention. The inquiry will present its final report in August 2023.   

Since our last dialogue at the beginning of 2015, developments in Sweden, Europe and the wider world have underscored the importance of promoting, protecting and providing for the rights of the child. I would like to give you a few examples.

• In 2015 hundreds of thousands of migrants fled from conflict and despair in Syria and other parts of the world to Europe. Some 160 000 migrants came to Sweden. Among them were thousands of children, some with their parents, some unaccompanied. Swedish municipalities welcomed them and provided them with education and social support.

• In recent years we have seen examples of horrendous violence against children in different parts of the world. In Sweden, violence against, and between, children is also a serious concern. Many children and young people are affected by violence during their childhood despite efforts to prevent and combat violence. We are aware of the particular vulnerability of certain groups to violence, such as children with disabilities. There has also been a rise in organised crime. This has had a severe impact on some children’s lives and well-being, especially those growing up in socio-economically disadvantaged areas. Several children have lost their lives while being caught in confrontations between criminal groups. All forms of violence against children must stop. I will come back to that.
  
  
• The COVID-19 pandemic had, and still has, huge implications for children worldwide, affecting not only their right to education but also many other areas, including a rise in child marriages. In Sweden we kept pre- and primary schools open throughout the pandemic, which was crucial for children’s well-being and development. Nevertheless, we know that many children in Sweden had a difficult time. In particular, the pandemic impacted students in secondary education, with classes being held online for periods of time. Children’s mental health suffered, as did their ability to engage in recreational activities. The pandemic has further accentuated inequalities and, in particular, challenged those children already in vulnerable situations. It has also increased the need to protect children online, from sexual exploitation that often target girls, and from disinformation and propaganda.

• Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine last February has had devastating effects for children. An unknown number have died or suffered life-changing injuries. Many more have been forced to flee their homes, even their country. Many have been separated from their parents and families. Families across the country are facing a long, cold winter without heat and electricity, with difficulties accessing food, water and medicine, and facing the constant threat of Russian attack.
  
  
• In 2018, outside my office at the Swedish Parliament, Greta Thunberg started a youth movement on climate change that spread around the world and has inspired millions of other children and young people to demand climate action and climate justice. She has demonstrated to the world that no one is too small, or too young, to make a difference. Greta’s story is an iconic example of children and young people using their democratic right to demonstrate, and claiming their rights to participate in decision-making processes that affect them and their future.

The eight years since the last dialogue have shown us that safeguarding the rights of the child is more urgent than ever. Responding to the challenges we are now facing requires committed effort from all stakeholders. Most importantly, we need to continue to listen to children’s experiences and not turn away from children who tell about hardship and difficulties. Getting children and young people involved in all matters that affect them is key to a successful response.

Mr/Ms Chair, distinguished Members of the Committee,

I would like to draw your attention to some important progress Sweden has made in fulfilling the rights of the child since the last dialogue with the Committee:

• While the incorporation of the Convention is a milestone in our efforts to strengthen the rights of the child, and there are many positive signs of the reforms already having impact, we are well aware that incorporation is not enough. Hence, the transformation of the provisions of the Convention into relevant legislation has continued.

• I am pleased to inform the Committee that in recent years, legislative changes have been made regarding children in detention, for example on isolation breaking actions. Legal amendments have also been introduced to strengthen the protection of children in alternative care and to improve access to personal assistance for children with disabilities.
  
  
• For the Convention to really matter in children’s lives, every one of us who in our daily work is responsible for children’s development and well-being, needs to do their outmost to realise the rights for every child. As a former teacher, I know first-hand how important a caring adult is to a child. To enhance the practical implementation of the Convention in the public sector, Sweden launched an initiative in 2017 to boost knowledge about children’s rights. This has improved the competence of professionals who work with children or take decisions affecting children within agencies, municipalities and regions. Thus far, 27 governmental agencies, the County Administrative Boards, municipalities and regions have participated in this initiative. The Swedish Ombudsman for Children has also played a crucial role in providing knowledge and support.
  
  
• To ensure that the expertise and experience of civil society are taken into consideration, we have established a Child Rights Delegation composed of civil society organisations. Together with the previously established Disability Delegation representing the disability movement, the Child Rights Delegations plays a central role in ensuring the realisation of all children’s rights.
  
  
• Recognising the challenges for children around the world, Sweden continues to be a major donor of international development cooperation and humanitarian assistance. Children’s right to health and their rights to inclusive and quality education for all are important priorities in our development cooperation. I also want to mention the establishment of UNICEF’s Office of Innovation in Stockholm in September 2021 which is partly financed by Sweden.

Mr/Ms Chair, distinguished Members of the Committee,

To ensure that the rights of all children in Sweden are met, the Government has the following priorities:

• First, a child rights perspective should permeate all our work for and with children, and in doing so we will ensure that all children have equal opportunities for participation and influence in society.
  
  
• Combating all forms of violence against children is a major focus. A government inquiry will shortly submit a proposal for a new 10-year national strategy to prevent and combat violence against children.
  
  
• We will intensify our efforts to prevent children and young people from being recruited into organized crime, for example by providing parental support. All children should be able to feel safe from crime in their communities, homes, schools and playgrounds – throughout Sweden.
  
  
• The Swedish Government will introduce a new health care guarantee that will grant children access to mental health support within 30 days. School-based health care services should be strengthened and made available in every school. A new national strategy for mental health and suicide will be presented and a national coordinator for suicide prevention will be appointed.

• We will improve the protection of children in alternative care and in institutions. An inquiry has been tasked with reviewing and proposing measures to improve the quality of care for children and young people in foster homes, supported housing, residential care home and special youth detention centres.
  
  
• Another priority is to ensure a child-rights perspective in emergency response and preparedness at national, regional and local levels. For example, consequences for children in times of crises should be analysed prior to taking decisions affecting them, and there should be accessible crisis communication specifically targeting children.

• Finally, to ensure that children have someone to talk to when they need support, the Government will finance a national 24-hour support hotline for children.

I would like to conclude by once again emphasising Sweden’s continued commitment to promoting, protecting and providing for the rights of all children.

I look forward to two days of informative and constructive dialogue with the experts of the Committee. Your observations and recommendations will be very valuable for our work going forward.

Thank you for your attention.