Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt is visiting China on mid-April - a state visit intended to strengthen the Swedish and Chinese economic and trade relations. He will meet with Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao as well as President Hu Jintao. It would be the first state visit to China of a Swedish prime minister in twelve years.
It is understandable that bilateral economic and trade issues are a priority on the agenda, considering how China is expanding astronomically in both areas especially in Europe. The importance of this particular issue is evidenced by a strong contingent of 20 to 30 representatives from the Swedish business sector.
On the agenda is also climate and environment technology, which is more or less expected in the light of Sweden's presidency of the European Union in 2009, when the UN negotiates on a new climate agreement, there China plays a key role.
But there is a strong pressure coming from human rights lobbyists in Sweden, in particular the Amnesty International, Swedish Section for the Swedish Prime Minister to take a tough stance against China's human rights record. AI states in particular that Reinfeldt must take up a critical position against forced transfers and detention of human rights activists without due process.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Gov't tightens requirements for asylum-seekers' family
Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt's Alliance government has recently announced tightened requirements on asylum seekers who want to bring their families to Sweden. "The must stand on their own feet", headlined the Swedish daily Dagens Nyheter. The process of examining details of the stricter requirement for bringing in family members are now in process, such as demand for source of income and housing. According to the government, the work requirement will be crucial.
"It is our responsibility to see that a multiethnic society works better", Reinfeldt was quoted as saying when he presented the directives. "An important ground is the possibility to stand on one's own feet. It is good that many foreign- born today have jobs. In this working line is included the decision to demand that an asylum-seeker has the capacity to provide for his family," he added.
Asylum-seeker should have regular jobs, although not necessarily permanent, in order to bring to Sweden their family members. But those under the refugee convention are exempted from the requirement. Similar demands are now practiced in all European Union member-countries except Sweden and Belgium.
The Christian Social Democrats in the Alliance want to modify the requirement by extending a four-year period for the income-support demand. How the housing requirement will shape up remains in the hands of a current investigation.
Migration Minister Tobias Billström has not given any statistics on how many family dependents wanting to come to Sweden were denied for reasons of failed compliance with the income-support requirement. The Social Democratic government reportedly did the same investigation into the income requirement, but released no views on it. "It is not an unreasonable idea but not the best solution", says Magdalena Streiffert, political refugee spokesman for the opposition Social Democratic party. The Leftist party opposed the new requirement saying that " it is the worst violation of refugees' human rights".
"It is our responsibility to see that a multiethnic society works better", Reinfeldt was quoted as saying when he presented the directives. "An important ground is the possibility to stand on one's own feet. It is good that many foreign- born today have jobs. In this working line is included the decision to demand that an asylum-seeker has the capacity to provide for his family," he added.
Asylum-seeker should have regular jobs, although not necessarily permanent, in order to bring to Sweden their family members. But those under the refugee convention are exempted from the requirement. Similar demands are now practiced in all European Union member-countries except Sweden and Belgium.
The Christian Social Democrats in the Alliance want to modify the requirement by extending a four-year period for the income-support demand. How the housing requirement will shape up remains in the hands of a current investigation.
Migration Minister Tobias Billström has not given any statistics on how many family dependents wanting to come to Sweden were denied for reasons of failed compliance with the income-support requirement. The Social Democratic government reportedly did the same investigation into the income requirement, but released no views on it. "It is not an unreasonable idea but not the best solution", says Magdalena Streiffert, political refugee spokesman for the opposition Social Democratic party. The Leftist party opposed the new requirement saying that " it is the worst violation of refugees' human rights".
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Sweden's gender equality remains wanting
The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has recently released during its Fortieth session, an assessment report on the gender equality performance of Sweden. It noted Sweden's adoption of a national human rights plan of action for 2006-2009, which focuses on protection against discrimination, as well as the adoption in May 2006 of a new gender equality priorities. The government has also increased by tenfold the budget for gender equality policy, as well as the promotion of gender mainstreaming throughout the governmental bodies.
The Committee also noted the adoption in November 2007, of an action plan to combat men's violence against women, violence and oppression in the name of honour and violence in same sex relationships. Furthermore, the amendment of the Swedish Aliens Act of 2006 to grant refugee status to persons claiming fear of persecution on grounds of gender and sexual orientation was also acknowledged. Another positive contribution was the amendment of the Abortion Act in Nov. 2007, wherein women can have abortion in Sweden even if they are not Swedish citizens.
But Sweden's gender equality performance requires further improvement, the CEDAW committee stated in its report. It noted that the Swedish constitution is "gender-blind" or not "gender-sensitive" and that the concept of gender equality is not in line with the Convention. It is recommending that Sweden's future Anti-Discrimination Act, which will cover seven areas of discrimination be made part of the domestic law.
The Committee also urges Sweden to use the Anti-Discrimination Act to strengthen the national legislative framework for the protection of the human rights of women, as well as increasing the awareness among judges, prosecutors and lawyers of the Convention, through practical reference to it in all aspects of its work. Although Sweden has already been gender mainstreaming at the municipal, regional and governmental levels under its 2004-2009 plan, the Committee noted that the plan "lacks effective monitoring and accountability mechanisms, including sanctions for non-compliance.
The Committee expressed its concern over the "persistence of stereotypical attitudes towards women" particularly in media, in what it calls the "sexualization of the public sphere." It is urging Sweden to use strategies to combat the sexualization of the public sphere, in order to insure that media coverage is non-discriminatory.
In addition, the Committee noted the low percentage of women in the academia. It is recommending the use of temporary special measures like quotas or goals.
The report also noted the women's high level of participation in the labour market and asks that measures should be taken by the Swedish government, to encourage the trend by enabling women to cope with both their work and their family life through the extended maternity and paternity leave schemes.
In addition, the report also noted the high prevalence of violence against women and girls, particularly those committed in the name of honour. Furthermore, it stated that there is a low prosecution and conviction rate of crimes related to violence, and that Swedish crime statistics are not sex-specific. There are also no statistics of women and girls living in Sweden, who have been genitally mutilated.
The Committee acknowledges the progress made to address the issue of trafficking, which includes the ratification in July 1, 2004 of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. But it is concerned with the trafficking of women and girls into Sweden and the insufficient data of its prevalence. It is equally concerned at the occurrence of trafficking in girls, prostitution and similar crimes committed by Swedish men abroad. It is recommending that passports not be re-issued to those freed after posting bail, for committing crimes of sexual exploitation abroad.#
( Source: CEDAW Fortieth Session, 14 January-1 February, 2008. Advanced Unedited Version)
The Committee also noted the adoption in November 2007, of an action plan to combat men's violence against women, violence and oppression in the name of honour and violence in same sex relationships. Furthermore, the amendment of the Swedish Aliens Act of 2006 to grant refugee status to persons claiming fear of persecution on grounds of gender and sexual orientation was also acknowledged. Another positive contribution was the amendment of the Abortion Act in Nov. 2007, wherein women can have abortion in Sweden even if they are not Swedish citizens.
But Sweden's gender equality performance requires further improvement, the CEDAW committee stated in its report. It noted that the Swedish constitution is "gender-blind" or not "gender-sensitive" and that the concept of gender equality is not in line with the Convention. It is recommending that Sweden's future Anti-Discrimination Act, which will cover seven areas of discrimination be made part of the domestic law.
The Committee also urges Sweden to use the Anti-Discrimination Act to strengthen the national legislative framework for the protection of the human rights of women, as well as increasing the awareness among judges, prosecutors and lawyers of the Convention, through practical reference to it in all aspects of its work. Although Sweden has already been gender mainstreaming at the municipal, regional and governmental levels under its 2004-2009 plan, the Committee noted that the plan "lacks effective monitoring and accountability mechanisms, including sanctions for non-compliance.
The Committee expressed its concern over the "persistence of stereotypical attitudes towards women" particularly in media, in what it calls the "sexualization of the public sphere." It is urging Sweden to use strategies to combat the sexualization of the public sphere, in order to insure that media coverage is non-discriminatory.
In addition, the Committee noted the low percentage of women in the academia. It is recommending the use of temporary special measures like quotas or goals.
The report also noted the women's high level of participation in the labour market and asks that measures should be taken by the Swedish government, to encourage the trend by enabling women to cope with both their work and their family life through the extended maternity and paternity leave schemes.
In addition, the report also noted the high prevalence of violence against women and girls, particularly those committed in the name of honour. Furthermore, it stated that there is a low prosecution and conviction rate of crimes related to violence, and that Swedish crime statistics are not sex-specific. There are also no statistics of women and girls living in Sweden, who have been genitally mutilated.
The Committee acknowledges the progress made to address the issue of trafficking, which includes the ratification in July 1, 2004 of the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children. But it is concerned with the trafficking of women and girls into Sweden and the insufficient data of its prevalence. It is equally concerned at the occurrence of trafficking in girls, prostitution and similar crimes committed by Swedish men abroad. It is recommending that passports not be re-issued to those freed after posting bail, for committing crimes of sexual exploitation abroad.#
( Source: CEDAW Fortieth Session, 14 January-1 February, 2008. Advanced Unedited Version)
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Reinfeldt hopes for Obama as US president
Swedish Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt hopes to see Barack Obama Jr. as next president of United States, Dagens Nyheter reports Wednesday ( Feb. 6, 2008). He states that Obama has the best economic policy, even if " he seems not to understand the value of free trade".
"It is difficult to go against one's own politic. Obama's position on income tax deduction for low and middle income earners look like a copy of the Alliance government", Reinfeldt told journalists during a press encounter at the Swedish parliament.
Reinfeldt has often expressed his appreciation for fomer US President Bill Clinton - husband of top-running Democratic candidate Hilary Clinton. Today, he thinks that Obama represents a more "Clintonish" politics than Hilary. While Hilary Clinton's economic advisers were also with her husband's presidential time, Barack Obama leans towards younger academics than those with political roots. Reinfeldt sees similarities with his own Finance Minister Anders Borg and other national Swedish economists.
With Obama Reinfeldt feels likewise that tax reduction would entice more senior wage earners to stay longer in ther labour market. Hence, he thinks that Hilary Clinton is not exactly precise in her politics that targets low-income wage earners, thus creating more jobs.
On climate issues - a very urgent issue among nations these days, Reinfeldt thinks that Obama and aspiring Republican candidate John McCain have the best policy position. "Just as well since many Americans seem
panic-attacked by carbon dioxide tax. But if the transport sector is exempted, it will be difficult to achieve the carbon emission goal", Reinfeldt says.
But Reinfeldt thinks that we would not fit in, in the American politics that readily accepts the death sentence, runs for public office and declares belief in God.
(Translated from DN, Feb. 6, 2008)
"It is difficult to go against one's own politic. Obama's position on income tax deduction for low and middle income earners look like a copy of the Alliance government", Reinfeldt told journalists during a press encounter at the Swedish parliament.
Reinfeldt has often expressed his appreciation for fomer US President Bill Clinton - husband of top-running Democratic candidate Hilary Clinton. Today, he thinks that Obama represents a more "Clintonish" politics than Hilary. While Hilary Clinton's economic advisers were also with her husband's presidential time, Barack Obama leans towards younger academics than those with political roots. Reinfeldt sees similarities with his own Finance Minister Anders Borg and other national Swedish economists.
With Obama Reinfeldt feels likewise that tax reduction would entice more senior wage earners to stay longer in ther labour market. Hence, he thinks that Hilary Clinton is not exactly precise in her politics that targets low-income wage earners, thus creating more jobs.
On climate issues - a very urgent issue among nations these days, Reinfeldt thinks that Obama and aspiring Republican candidate John McCain have the best policy position. "Just as well since many Americans seem
panic-attacked by carbon dioxide tax. But if the transport sector is exempted, it will be difficult to achieve the carbon emission goal", Reinfeldt says.
But Reinfeldt thinks that we would not fit in, in the American politics that readily accepts the death sentence, runs for public office and declares belief in God.
(Translated from DN, Feb. 6, 2008)
Monday, February 4, 2008
New plan of action against child sex tourism adopted
The Swedish government has adopted a new plan of action to fight child sex tourism, Network Europe announced recently. The move was welcomed by non-governmental organisations such as ECPAT, short for End Child Prostitution in Asian Tourism.
Sweden, an early signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child or CRC has been at the forefront of the international campaign to stop "trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children and women." CRC is almost universally ratified. Related to the CRC is the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, or CEDAW, which is also widely recognised. Despite the over-reaching protection extended by a number of international legal instruments, the problem of child sex tourism and trafficking of women remains enormous.
Ms. Mehr Khan, UNICEF Regional Director for East Asia and Pacific Region reported that in the region alone it is estimated that 14 percent of the GNP is generated by the commercial sex industry. There are major actors with strong financial interest to continue with the business of commercialising sex tourism, he added. Statistically, he estimated that "one-third of global trafficking of women and children takes place within and from Southeast Asia representing 230,000 women and children." Of these, 60 percent go to major cities in the region and 40 percent, to the rest of the world. The United Nations, on the other hand, estimated "the global total of child victims of trafficking to be around 1.2 million, which suggests perhaps 300,000 to 400,000 in the region," Khan reported.
It is all too well-known that the main root cause of the problem is poverty. Traffickers prey on the poorest families especially in countries like the Philippines, Thailand, India and even United States. Poverty is exaggerated by exposure to domestic violence and ethnic conflicts. Dysfunctional family systems also contribute to trafficking and sex tourism.
In a related UN report, it is stated that Thailand ranks third after India and USA in the number of child prostitutes. UN stated that about 400,000 women and children are believed sexually-exploited in India; between 244,00 and 325,000 in the USA; 200,000 in Thailand; 175,000 in eastern and central Europe; 100,000 in Brazil and 35,000 in West Africa. The report also stated that sex tourism accounted for 10 to 14 percent of Thailand's GNP from 1993 to 1995.
The statistics on trafficking and sexual exploitation of women and minors are overwhelming. Even if they are exaggerated, it does not reduce by any ounce the magnitude of these social issues. Every day, every hour and every minute - in several parts of the world - a woman or a child is being abused physically, sexually and commercially. After 20 years of interpreting the CRC on many national levels, the end result is still wanting. As Swedish ECPAT Director-General Helena Karlen was quoted as saying: "There will be no Volvo cars, if there were no buyers."#
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Kenya plunges into violence
An escalating violence in Kenya and an unsettling political instability in South Africa threatens to torpedo the continent's chances for a bright economic future. Aged-old problems of poverty, petty tribalism and unbridled corruption have resurfaced with greater vehemence.
The picture of Kenya as an "island of stability" was recently shattered by the eruption of violence that reportedly claimed some 500 lives. It seems hard to believe that Kenya, a model of political stability and economic growth could suddenly find itself in the throes of chaos and disorder. The international repercussions among powerful countries and major aid donors had been tremendous, in particular the United States. As reported in the major foreign press, Kenya is undeniably a leading star in East Africa. It has held regular elections since its independence in 1963, and its economy grew at 6.4 percent in 2007. The explosion of violence following its presidential elections last month changed Kenya's position of stability. The United States, which reportedly gives US 1 million dollars in aid considers Kenya its main bulwark in its anti-terrorism campaign, especially against jihad terrorists sneaking in from neighboring Somalia.
The immediate cause of violence in Kenya begun with a civilian coup by Mwai Kibaki, following a close race with challenger Raila Odenga last Dec. 27 general election. Three days after the voting, paramilitary police stormed the Kenyatta International Conference Center where the vote counting was taking place, and where Odenga had a clear lead. Then the Commission on Elections declared Kibaki winner and was sworn the same day. It was then that popular resentment against Kibaki's tribe, the Kikuyu, was unleashed like the breaking of a dam. Although the Kikuyu tribe consist only of 22 percent of the population, it has enjoyed a dominant political position in government and business.
Kibera, the largest slum area where a million people live in extreme poverty became the center of violence. Deep in poverty, disease and distress Kibera was waiting to ignite its fire of discontent. During the week of violence, heavy international pressure came upon Kibaki and Odinga to reach an agreement. But an African negotiation attempt collapsed last week and supporters of Odinga in Nairobi have shown impatience. They are demanding that Kibaki resigns from the "stolen presidency". They are also demanding news elections.
Analysis by Time magazine on Africa's distress points to poverty as the root cause of all maladies. Nowhere in the world, it reports, is the gap between the rich and the poor wider than in Africa. Despite the bright hopes in economic growth owing to its natural resources - and entry of major powers like China in the investment field, the number of poor has doubled. The other malady eating away Africa's economic gains is corruption, where Kenya finds itself at the bottom rank of most corrupt countries.
Kenya simply mirrors the rest of Africa in terms of being most corrupt, where 36 out of 52 countries are openly accused of graft and corruption. As reported, Nigeria leaders for instance were accused of stealing US 400 billion between 1960 and 1999. In South Africa, corruption scandals involving political and business elites are exposed frequently. The most famous is that which concern the newly-voted leader of the African National Congress, Jacob Zuma. Time reported that he was indicted on one charge of racketeering, one of money laundering, two of corruption and 12 of fraud involving bribes by French arms seller. He denies all these charges.
While many African countries have succeeded in creating democratic institutions and that democracy actually works in many countries, these institutions are fragile as shown in Kenya's recent general elections. One man with military support can easily grab power and pummel a nation in a spiral of violence.
The picture of Kenya as an "island of stability" was recently shattered by the eruption of violence that reportedly claimed some 500 lives. It seems hard to believe that Kenya, a model of political stability and economic growth could suddenly find itself in the throes of chaos and disorder. The international repercussions among powerful countries and major aid donors had been tremendous, in particular the United States. As reported in the major foreign press, Kenya is undeniably a leading star in East Africa. It has held regular elections since its independence in 1963, and its economy grew at 6.4 percent in 2007. The explosion of violence following its presidential elections last month changed Kenya's position of stability. The United States, which reportedly gives US 1 million dollars in aid considers Kenya its main bulwark in its anti-terrorism campaign, especially against jihad terrorists sneaking in from neighboring Somalia.
The immediate cause of violence in Kenya begun with a civilian coup by Mwai Kibaki, following a close race with challenger Raila Odenga last Dec. 27 general election. Three days after the voting, paramilitary police stormed the Kenyatta International Conference Center where the vote counting was taking place, and where Odenga had a clear lead. Then the Commission on Elections declared Kibaki winner and was sworn the same day. It was then that popular resentment against Kibaki's tribe, the Kikuyu, was unleashed like the breaking of a dam. Although the Kikuyu tribe consist only of 22 percent of the population, it has enjoyed a dominant political position in government and business.
Kibera, the largest slum area where a million people live in extreme poverty became the center of violence. Deep in poverty, disease and distress Kibera was waiting to ignite its fire of discontent. During the week of violence, heavy international pressure came upon Kibaki and Odinga to reach an agreement. But an African negotiation attempt collapsed last week and supporters of Odinga in Nairobi have shown impatience. They are demanding that Kibaki resigns from the "stolen presidency". They are also demanding news elections.
Analysis by Time magazine on Africa's distress points to poverty as the root cause of all maladies. Nowhere in the world, it reports, is the gap between the rich and the poor wider than in Africa. Despite the bright hopes in economic growth owing to its natural resources - and entry of major powers like China in the investment field, the number of poor has doubled. The other malady eating away Africa's economic gains is corruption, where Kenya finds itself at the bottom rank of most corrupt countries.
Kenya simply mirrors the rest of Africa in terms of being most corrupt, where 36 out of 52 countries are openly accused of graft and corruption. As reported, Nigeria leaders for instance were accused of stealing US 400 billion between 1960 and 1999. In South Africa, corruption scandals involving political and business elites are exposed frequently. The most famous is that which concern the newly-voted leader of the African National Congress, Jacob Zuma. Time reported that he was indicted on one charge of racketeering, one of money laundering, two of corruption and 12 of fraud involving bribes by French arms seller. He denies all these charges.
While many African countries have succeeded in creating democratic institutions and that democracy actually works in many countries, these institutions are fragile as shown in Kenya's recent general elections. One man with military support can easily grab power and pummel a nation in a spiral of violence.
Friday, December 7, 2007
Strident words between Sweden and Zimbabwe
The Swedish Ambassador in Harare, Sten Rylander is under attack by the Zimbabwean state-owned newspaper The Herald for pursuing a crusade against the Mugabe regime before the forthcoming EU-African Union summit meeting in Lisbon, reported Africa-based DN reporter Anna Koblanck. The local media campaign against Sweden and Rylander started in October. Zimbabwe alleges that Sweden wants Zimbabwe's human rights record taken up during the summit meeting in Lisbon this weekend.
The Lisbon summit meeting faced several controversies and conflicts surrounding Robert Mugabe's attendance, which in particular led to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's boycott of the conference. Mugabe criticised Brown's action as imperialistic while at the same time thanking the other EU-member states and his neighboring African countries for supporting him.
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt in his political blog stated that Sten Rylander's criticism against Zimbabwe "was correct and in the right way, and in line with what the Swedish government and parliament thinks." It remains unclear whether the crisis in Zimbabwe will be taken up or not. This is the first summit between the EU and AU since 2000. Mugabe's inclusion in the meeting was sanctioned by the AU, where his African colleagues openly extended their support to his participation. Some African leaders, such as Zambia's president Levy Mwanawasa are more cautious.
Several African and European journalists and writers protested against the summit leaders' cowardice to tackle the situation in Zimbabwe or the conflict in Darfur- "two of the world's worst human rights catastrophes." Zimbabwe's economic downfall is characterised by an inflation of 2,000 percent, a collapse in agricultural production and shortage of consumer goods and petrol.
The 83-year old Mugabe took over power in Zimbabwe since its independence in 1980. Earlier hailed as a national hero, he turned later into a power-hungry dictator responsible for crushing his political opponents and driving his country into economic decay. He blames the West for the economic sanctions against his regime.
The Lisbon summit meeting faced several controversies and conflicts surrounding Robert Mugabe's attendance, which in particular led to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's boycott of the conference. Mugabe criticised Brown's action as imperialistic while at the same time thanking the other EU-member states and his neighboring African countries for supporting him.
Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt in his political blog stated that Sten Rylander's criticism against Zimbabwe "was correct and in the right way, and in line with what the Swedish government and parliament thinks." It remains unclear whether the crisis in Zimbabwe will be taken up or not. This is the first summit between the EU and AU since 2000. Mugabe's inclusion in the meeting was sanctioned by the AU, where his African colleagues openly extended their support to his participation. Some African leaders, such as Zambia's president Levy Mwanawasa are more cautious.
Several African and European journalists and writers protested against the summit leaders' cowardice to tackle the situation in Zimbabwe or the conflict in Darfur- "two of the world's worst human rights catastrophes." Zimbabwe's economic downfall is characterised by an inflation of 2,000 percent, a collapse in agricultural production and shortage of consumer goods and petrol.
The 83-year old Mugabe took over power in Zimbabwe since its independence in 1980. Earlier hailed as a national hero, he turned later into a power-hungry dictator responsible for crushing his political opponents and driving his country into economic decay. He blames the West for the economic sanctions against his regime.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
