(cont. from § 6) Interparliamentary Union (cont. UU13)

Mattias Karlsson (SD)

Mr. Speaker! We live in an increasingly more dangerous and insecure world. It is a phrase that one hears very often these days. It is unfortunately also a phrase that I myself use very often these days. Sometimes one might get the impression that this is something that has just happened, as if we have been struck by a kind of natural disaster. That is not the case, however.

It is worth reminding oneself that the reason we live in an increasingly more dangerous and insecure world is concrete decisions by political leaders and their allies. It is because the dictator and war criminal Vladimir Putin made the decision to illegally invade and occupy Ukraine that the population there suffers and dies. It is because of the decisions of the mullahs in Iran and their henchmen that young women are oppressed and see their lives restricted and that democracy activists are murdered in their own homes.

I will willingly admit that I personally feel discomfort sitting in meetings with the representatives of these terror regimes and sitting in meetings with those who promote their propaganda and defend their actions. I can, therefore, have a certain understanding of the arguments that are sometimes put forward that Sweden should not be a member of an organization such as the IPU, where these countries are admitted. I believe, however, that it is important that Sweden continues to be a member of an organization such as the IPU. We see now how more and more parliamentary channels are being closed and how the arenas where negotiations can take place in closed rooms or openly in the rostrum, and where different positions can begin to shift, are becoming fewer.

Above all, I see it as important that there are open forums where we who belong to democratic countries and who stand for human rights can hold the henchmen of terror to account, and where those who live and work in countries where one rarely hears democratic arguments get access to them. This I see as a very important task for the Swedish IPU delegation.

For my part, I have in recent years worked within the framework of the IPU in what is called the global high-level council against terrorism and violent extremism. At the last meeting there, I had the opportunity to hold the Iranian representative to account for how Iran has behaved both towards its own population and in Sweden. We know that Iran has financed and cooperated with criminal networks in Sweden to persecute dissenters and exercise violence as it suits them. Consequently, they have also strengthened the criminal networks that harm and undermine Sweden. This was information that not all delegates in this context had heard previously and which many showed interest in afterwards. This is an example of why it can be important for Sweden to continue to be present in these types of organizations.

What I see as the most important of what the IPU does is, however, the organization's fantastic work to monitor human rights for parliamentarians. Unfortunately, the development is going in the wrong direction even in this area. According to the latest report from the IPU delegation working on these issues, they noted 1,000 cases of human rights violations directed against parliamentarians during 2025, in 58 different countries.

The organization, with the support of Sweden and the Swedish delegation, is doing a fantastic job of highlighting these abuses, holding those responsible to account, following up and in some cases even visiting imprisoned and persecuted parliamentarians in prison and showing support in various ways. I think that this activity alone justifies Sweden's membership fee to the IPU.

IPU also carries out aid activities. Sweden has for a long time, via Sida, been one of the leading donors to these aid projects. I am sure that much of this has gone to worthy causes, but both when it comes to the aid activities linked to IPU and the aid policy in general, I think Sweden needs a bit more sense and balance. We do not always have to be the best in class. We can no longer be the best in class when it comes to engagement in everything all over the world. We must focus our efforts.

Support for Ukraine and Ukraine's liberation should be the absolute highest priority, but Sweden also has needs at home. We have begun to solve some of them, but very much remains. The fight against crime, the deficiencies in welfare, and the buildup of the defense require that we relocate resources and to a greater extent focus on the domestic problems that we must solve to have a well-functioning, safe, and secure country. I would wish that we got a bit more of a moderate attitude when it comes to the international comparisons and how much Sweden invests in these respects.

In line with the previous speaker, Serkan Köse, I would like to conclude my speech by extending a warm thank you to everyone who has supported the Swedish IPU delegation. I want to thank the employees at the Riksdag's international office, Ralph and Björn, who do a fantastic job, the Director-General of the Riksdag, and others who have been involved in supporting the delegation during the operational period to which the report applies.

I also want to extend a warm thanks to my political colleagues. Just as Serkan said, we disagree on very much, and we have quite tough debates here in the chamber on many different issues. It is nevertheless heartwarming to see and feel that we are quite united and help each other when we go out onto the global arena and when it concerns issues of democracy and human rights. We have been a strong voice, and I think we have punched far above our weight class in these contexts.

I would therefore like to extend a warm thanks to our vice chairman Serkan. He will be leaving the Riksdag, as he mentioned in his speech. I believe we have had a constructive dialogue and together stood up for important matters.

I would like to extend a particularly warm thanks to Margareta Cederfelt, who is the outgoing chair of the delegation.

I think the passion with which you, Margareta, have stood up for human rights and against terror and oppression is inspiring. Not least, I am impressed by the energy you have shown in the support for Ukraine and the opposition to the illegal Russian occupation of the country. At our closing dinner in Istanbul after the latest session, I actually said that I believe your grandchildren and the Russians are the only ones who will be truly happy that you are now leaving this assignment. You mentioned at some point to me that one of your grandchildren wanted to go to Arlanda, because that was where grandmother lived. I hope that your grandchild in the future instead thinks that grandmother lives at the ice cream bar, in the park, or on the beach.

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)

Margareta Cederfelt (M)

Mr. Speaker! It is striking how the three of us from the delegation share a common view when it comes to the importance of parliamentary work internationally. I would like to take this opportunity to emphasize that I wish for the parliamentary delegations that the Riksdag is a member of – it concerns a large number of international organizations – to be able to achieve a greater impact in the Riksdag and in Sweden. I say this because the work we do in the international parliamentary delegations is significant, especially in times of unrest like these. I know that Mr. Speaker has done a lot to improve the dialogue, but I am convinced that more is needed.

The report we are debating now concerns the activities during 2025. In some respects, I wish that the activities conducted under the delegations' auspices would not have to wait an entire year – in some cases – before they become official and reach the members of the Riksdag so that we can have a conversation and a debate here in the Riksdag.

This could be something for the upcoming Speaker's Presidium, the upcoming Delegation Presidium, and the Riksdag Board to discuss further, because if we are to succeed even better than today on the international arena, we need a greater commitment and a greater impact.

IPU was founded in 1889 and is the world's oldest parliamentary organization. It is also the world's geographically largest parliamentary organization, with 183 member countries from all continents. This is incredible, for it provides an opportunity for dialogue and for parliamentarians to meet and discuss and debate both common and non-common issues.

After my 23 years in the Riksdag, I am even more convinced that if we in Sweden are to live in prosperity and in a functioning democracy, we must also have greater international engagement at the parliamentary level. It is the governments that rule, but we parliamentarians can do a lot.

Let me also say a few words about the work the delegation has done and is doing. We cooperate, among other things, in the Nordic circle. We meet before the general assemblies and also make study visits together in connection with the UN hearings. This is extremely important, because it allows us to pursue a common line and gain traction and that we can support each other's candidacies. It also keeps us more updated on what is happening.

Thanks to the Swedish commitment, we have also succeeded in establishing a formalized NB8 format. This means that at the assemblies, the Nordic and Baltic delegations also meet within the IPU, which was needed in these times of unrest.

We have also, in recent years, met with the Ukrainian delegation, and I see that as important. We must continue to support Ukraine, because it is a partner country, a European country, and a country that is close to us in heart, soul, and purely geographically. Therefore, we must make contact wherever we meet Ukrainians.

During 2025, two general assemblies were held, one in Tashkent in Uzbekistan and one in Geneva in Switzerland. Vice Speaker Julia Kronlid was in Uzbekistan, and the whole thing was very rewarding.

What did I learn then about Uzbekistan? Well, that it is a country with good economic growth of 6–7 percent per year, which is higher than the growth in the EU. I hope that Swedish universities, Swedish research and Swedish business can find their way to Uzbekistan, for think how good it would be if we could enrich one another!

What also struck me when I was in Uzbekistan is that the IT activity there is fantastically far ahead. It shows that technical development does not only occur in Europe and the USA but in other parts of the world.

In the general assembly in Tashkent, a resolution was addressed regarding how war negatively affects sustainability. This was a collaboration between Sweden and Ukraine, who here thus acted together.

During the 151st General Assembly in Geneva, the Assembly considered a resolution on Russia's illegal kidnapping and abduction of Ukrainian children. It was adopted by the Assembly.

We also had a particularly urgent matter, which was not prepared beforehand but was addressed by the assembly on the initiative of Poland, Sweden, Chile, Thailand, and the Netherlands. There was, therefore, a wide geographical span among the initiators. The matter concerned cross-border organized crime, cyber threats, and hybrid threats against democracy and human rights. This came about because Thailand and Chile, just like we in Northern Europe, experience this through the threat profile from Russia. It is worth noting that this acute matter, as it is called, was approved by the assembly with a three-quarters majority.

Russia's illegal war against Ukraine is raised in every assembly, and I want to send a message to the upcoming delegations: Keep hammering away! That is what the current delegation has done, and Russia shall not get away with it.

Those who wish to know more about IPU's work during 2025 can read the delegation's report or visit IPU's website.

Finally, I would like to thank Vice Chairman Serkan Köse, with whom I have collaborated extensively in developing plans for the delegation's work. I would also like to extend a warm thank you to the entire delegation for a fantastic cooperation. We have stood united on the important international issues and defended Sweden's values and democracy, and that we shall have a world order based on rules and not on the right of the strongest.

I also want to extend a warm thank you to RIK, especially to delegation secretary Björn Sondén and assistant delegation secretary Ralph Hermansson. They are two fantastic people who push the boundaries of what they can achieve so that the delegation can do a good job. I hope that their efforts are also recognized within the Riksdag Administration.

Mr. Speaker! This is probably my last speech in the Swedish Riksdag after 23 years as a member. I must say that it feels fantastic because the Swedish IPU delegation has done so much and has constantly held the flag high.

The deliberation was hereby concluded.

(A decision was to be taken on 26 May.)

The speech at riksdagen.se, in Swedish (opens in a new tab)