Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

Eighty- third session

12-30 August 2013

Item 4 of the provisional agenda

Consideration of reports, comments and information submitted by States parties under article 9 of the Convention

List of themes in relation to the nineteenth to twenty-first periodic reports of Sweden (CERD/C/SWE/19-21)

Note by the Country Rapporteur*

Summary

The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination decided at its seventy-sixth session (A/65/18, para. 85) that the Country Rapporteur would send to the State party concerned a short list of themes with a view to guiding and focusing the dialogue between the State party’s delegation and the Committee during the consideration of the State party’s report. This document contains a list of such themes. This is not an exhaustive list: other issues may also be raised in the course of the dialogue. No written replies are required.

1.The Convention in domestic law, institutional and policy framework for its implementation (arts. 1 2, 4, 6 and 7)

(a)Definition of racial discrimination, in accordance with article 1 of the Convention (CERD/C/SWE/19-21, para. 17);

(b)Statistical data on the ethnic composition of the population; details on the Personal Data Act (1998:204) (CERD/C/SWE/19-21, paras. 4-8, CERD/C/SWE/CO/18, para. 10);

(c)Information on special measures regarding disadvantaged groups (CERD/C/SWE/19-21, paras. 62-64, CERD/C/SWE/CO/18, para. 13);

(d)Information on the Equality Ombudsman: its statute, mandate, composition, activities, guarantee of its independence and current resources (CERD/C/SWE/19-21, paras. 41-42);

(e) Information on the legislation providing for proscription of dissemination of ideas of racial superiority, and of organized activity likely to incite persons to racial violence (CERD/C/SWE/CO/18, para. 14);

(f)Measures adopted to prevent increase in hate crimes; enforcement of the provisions countering dissemination of hate speech under the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression and the Freedom of the Press Act.

2.Sami (arts. 2, 5, 6, 7)

(a)Updated information with respect to the mining development projects/ activities planned on reindeer grazing lands of Sami communities without their free and prior informed consent;

(b)Update Information on progress made on the Nordic Sami Convention (CERD/C/SWE/19-21, paras. 105-109) as well as regarding the adoption of the International Labour Organization Convention No. 169 concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries (CERD/C/SWE/CO/18, para. 21);

(c)Update on progress made to improve the participation of the Sami to take part in the Government as well as in the conduct of public affairs at any level and to have equal access to the public service;

(d)Promotion of the Sami language and culture: update on the impact of the legislation (CERD/C/SWE/19-21, para. 6);

(e)Update on access to legal services by the Sami.

3.Situation of minority communities (arts. 2, 5 and 7)

(a)Update on the draft “white paper” on unfair treatment, rights violations and other discriminatory acts against Roma (CERD/C/SWE/19-21, para. 89);

(b)Update on the implementation of the National Strategy for Roma 2012-2032 and on the consultation with Roma representatives.

4.Access to justice, discrimination against non-citizens, including migrants, refugees and asylum seekers (arts. 5, 6 and 7)

(a)Update on measures taken to improve accessibility and public knowledge of the procedures to address racial discrimination (CERD/C/SWE/19-21, para. 26);

(b)Evaluation of the problems related to the integration policy strategy (CERD/C/SWE/19-21, para. 50);

(c)Administrative detention of asylum seekers and irregular immigrants: length and conditions of detention, alleged lack of legal safeguards;

(d)Non-refoulement: update on the actual application of current legal provisions concerning refusal of entry and expulsion of non-nationals.