Treatment of Sami people among Swedish shortcomings : Amnesty International report
Sweden is once again criticized by Amnesty International for its treatment of Romani and Sami peoples and its tightening of its asylum laws.
In its annual global report, the human rights group said it still has “serious concerns about Sweden’s treatment of Roma citizens of other European countries.” The report mentions how the group still has limited access to education, employment, housing and health care and is at risk for hate crimes.
As for Sweden’s indigenous Sami people, two separate UN committees reported that the group’s land rights are still threatened.
Amnesty’s report also mentioned a much-criticized move this summer to narrow Sweden’s immigration laws.
The law makes temporary residence permits the rule, a permit lasting three years for refugees, and one year for people who are in need of protection after they have fled from war or conflict. During that period, there would be virtually no right to family reunion, unless the individual is able to earn a living here and prove they have a home and a way to support the family member they want to reunite with.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Arctic missing from Paris climate agreement, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Indigenous rights under fire says Finnish Saami leader, YLE News
Greenland: What the EU seal ban has meant for Inuit communities in the Arctic, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Repressive policy deprived Sámi people of language, culture : Norway’s prime minister, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Sami Blood: A coming-of-age tale set in Sweden’s dark past, Radio Sweden
Russia: Russia brands Arctic indigenous organization as “foreign agent,” Barents Observer
United States: Arctic conference spotlights indigenous issues, Alaska Dispatch News
