Response to interpellation 2022/23:164 on honor-related violence and oppression
Translated from Swedish by AI; the translation may contain errors. The Swedish text is the original.
Summary AI, written in advance
L advocates for measures against honor-related violence through the criminalization of honor killings, child marriage offenses, and forced conversions 1. L emphasizes stricter sentencing, improved support for the vulnerable, and a national strategy 1. L is proud of the Tidö Agreement and the government's work to criminalize honor killings and build up preventive work 2. L wants to go further than the previous government 2. L argues that Social Democrats and Left Party members have betrayed the group and engaged in accusations of racism 3. S considers that segregation and parallel societies hinder the work against honor violence and that religious free schools are an obstacle to integration 4. S wants to ban religious free schools to promote democratic values and education 5 6. S argues that it is important to have knowledge-raising initiatives and a national center 7. S considers it misleading when the minister and the party leader have a line in the press that differs from the government's collective decisions 8.
Written by AI in advance and may contain errors. The numbers lead to the speech a statement builds on; check against the text below.
Statsrådet Paulina Brandberg (L)
Mr. Speaker! Sofia Amloh has asked me what measures I am prepared to take to address the issue of honor in Sweden.
Honor-related violence and oppression constitute a very serious violation of people's fundamental freedoms and rights. Honor-related violence and oppression have no place in our society.
The government considers taking measures against controls of girls' and women's sexuality as an important part of the work to combat honor norms and honor oppression. The government has therefore tasked an investigator to, regardless of position on the matter, submit proposals on what legislation criminalizing, among other things, virginity checks and virginity operations should look like.
The investigator is also tasked with reviewing whether the failure to report or otherwise disclose forced marriage and child marriage crimes should be criminalized, as well as reviewing the criminal law protection against so-called conversion attempts. For hbtqi-persons, who can be subjected to the same type of honor-related violence and oppression as others, specific conversion attempts can also occur. The assignment shall be reported by July 1, 2023, at the latest.
It further appears from the Tidö Agreement, among other things, that support for the vulnerable shall be improved and the authorities' work shall be made more efficient. The Tidö Agreement also contains measures concerning stricter sentencing for honor-related crimes and stricter rules for foreign proxy marriages and polygamy. Furthermore, it is stated that marriages between cousins shall not be permitted.
The government has intensified the work against honor-related violence and oppression through a significantly strengthened and long-term initiative. In accordance with the budget bill for 2023, the government allocates 20 million kronor annually for state grants aimed at supporting the organizing of women and girls in vulnerable areas. Furthermore, the government permanently strengthens the preventive work against honor-related violence and oppression with an additional 50 million kronor per year. The initiative strengthens the previously permanent funds of 300 million kronor for the work against men's violence against women and honor-related violence and oppression.
The government prioritizes and scales up the work. In the regulatory letters for 2023, the government has decided on a number of assignments in the area. The government's investments to prevent and combat men's violence against women and honor-related violence and oppression amount to a total of 475 million kronor during 2023 and concern several different agencies.
I note that the need for proven methods and ways of working remains great. Knowledge regarding the extent of and vulnerability to honor-related violence and oppression is limited. A national center against honor-related violence and oppression has been established at the County Administrative Board in Östergötland County, which is assessed to lead to increased knowledge, long-term focus in the work, and greater opportunities to follow the developments in the area.
The next step to ensure coordinated, long-term and effective work to prevent and combat men's violence against women and honor-related violence and oppression is that the government now begins the work of developing an action program for the period 2024-2026. In the development, the government will involve relevant authorities and civil society organizations as well as academia.
The work against honor-related violence and oppression must also be anchored in a long-term national strategy. The same need applies to the work of preventing and combating men's violence against women. The Government will commence this work.
Sofia Amloh (S)
Mr. Speaker! Thank you for the answer, Minister! Several parts of the answer are very good. There are many good things here that we Social Democrats also agree with, and many times it has the same direction as the policy we ourselves have pursued and such things we have started up or done during our time in government.
I can however state that I lack part of the basic problem formulation here, namely segregation. We see that it exists to an all too great extent and that we more or less live in parallel societies. This does not favor the work of countering, dealing with, or pushing back against honor violence and honor oppression.
I believe it is through successful integration work that the strategies and action plans will gain traction and achieve success. It is in that context that I believe we need to work with this issue. One does not exclude the other; as said, there are many things that need to be done.
I asked what measures the minister is prepared to take to address the issue of honor in Sweden, and I did so against the background that we have the patriarchal structures that exist everywhere. Women are subjected to violence and oppression in all social classes and in all cultures, for various reasons. But the culture of honor is a specific form of structural oppression where entire groups or families exercise strict control over each other's lives, especially when it comes to children and young people.
Part of the problem and something we need to tackle regarding this social problem is what the Minister has himself mentioned, namely the religious free schools. They are a serious obstacle to integration. We also do not think that the school should divide students based on either origin, parents' income, or parents' religious faith. The school should be a place where we do not only meet those who are like ourselves, but in the school – if not elsewhere – we should on the contrary meet everyone. In those encounters, we can develop and learn both tolerance and respect for differences.
A strong society is built on fundamental democratic values and legislation - otherwise, we get several, and moreover weak, parallel societies. It is something that we all must counteract. It is bad for many reasons, also when it comes to the work against honor-related violence and oppression that we are talking about today.
There are testimonies about how religious upbringing in school has taken precedence over democratic values and women's rights. Nothing in this issue is benefited by children learning this in school, regardless of which religion we are talking about.
The Liberals and the government have recently been clear that the Liberals are a party that should stand at the forefront in the fight against honor-related violence and oppression. What does that mean? Does it mean that we will receive a proposal on the floor of the Riksdag regarding taking a stand on religious independent schools?
Linus Sköld (S)
Mr. Speaker! I thank the Minister for the opportunity, here on a Tuesday evening, to debate such an important issue.
I agree with Sofia Amloh that it is good that the government wants to address the problems with men's violence against women and with honor-related violence and oppression through stricter legislation, improved support for the vulnerable, more efficient authorities, criminalization of the heinous expressions of honor oppression, a ban on virginity tests and conversion therapy, the establishment of a national center and the development of a national strategy. All of this is good.
But as Sofia Amloh pointed out, the minister himself, in a debate article in January, has taken up that failed integration or separatism supports these structures. In this way, the minister linked the work against honor violence with the question of the existence of religious independent schools. I agree with the minister that schools where all students come from families of a certain religious belief are segregating in themselves. The school shall be society's smallest common denominator, and that is why it is both a right and a duty for everyone to attend it. In this way, everyone who lives here together can form a somewhat common frame of reference and get the opportunity to meet people from different backgrounds in that process.
That is why we in the Social Democrats campaigned on banning religious independent schools as early as 2018. In the January agreement negotiations, we succeeded in bringing the issue all the way to an establishment ban, which the Liberals had campaigned on in that election. This bill is now referred to the Council on Legislation and is ready to be presented to the Riksdag by whichever government would so choose. In the election campaign, the Liberals promised the voters to do so expeditiously.
In the Ministry of Education, the Liberal Lotta Edholm is the Minister responsible for the issue of religious independent schools; I am very well aware of this. She said in an interpellation response on November 15 that no proposal regarding an establishment ban will be presented by this government, which is otherwise entirely in accordance with what is stated in the Tidö Agreement.
For me, it is clear that the Liberals have bowed down to Islamophobes and gullible friends of the free churches. Judge my surprise when three liberal representatives, including the party leader Johan Pehrson and the Minister for Equality herself, in opposition to their own government, wrote on Expressen's debate page that the Liberals are the party that wants to go the furthest in the fight against separatism. In opposition to their own party colleague at the Ministry of Education, they also wrote that they cannot accept that a single school in our country hinders integration and hampers students' freedom.
The Liberals may be the party that wants to go the furthest in the fight against separatism, but the government that Paulina Brandberg represents does not want to. If the Minister means it seriously when she says that religious independent schools are a separatist element in the social community and that their existence hinders integration and supports honor-related violence and oppression, how can she then represent a government that is not prepared to do anything to address this?
Statsrådet Paulina Brandberg (L)
Mr. Speaker! I am very pleased that we have this debate and that we have a great consensus regarding the problems that exist concerning honor-related violence and oppression, for that has not always been the case.
This year marks 21 years since Fadime Sahindal was murdered by her own father. Two months before the murder, Fadime spoke to the Riksdag and pleaded: Do not turn your backs!
When we look back at what happened, we can see that it was very many politicians who turned their backs on the honored. Several of the politicians who had the courage to push these issues have been very harshly attacked and accused of racism by their own parties. Two clear examples of this are Nalin Pekgul and Amineh Kakabaveh, who have been incredibly important voices in this.
Mr. Speaker! There is much to do. Even though we stand here today with great consensus, there are major problems that this government will absolutely address. When we have this problem, which is very much about values, school is of course very important. How do we affect the next generation?
We know that today there are schools in Sweden where teachers, on behalf of parents, check that small girls do not take off their hijab during school hours and in this way help to support an honor oppression. This should obviously not occur in Sweden.
This government will take action against all forms of honor-related violence and oppression. It shall not occur in society at all, and above all, it shall in no way be supported by the state or the government.
We will look at how we are to handle the school issue. We have been very clear that the Liberals have a position on this issue. This is nothing that I have any other opinion about when I sit in government. But I stand here with the government hat, and in the current situation, there is no policy in the area that aims for this government to ban religious independent schools.
It does not, however, mean that we turn a blind eye to the problem. It does not mean that we will leave these schoolchildren to their fate or that we will accept that there are schools where honor oppression is supported.
If we are to work with this issue, we must, of course, work with the children, and this government will do so powerfully.
Sofia Amloh (S)
Mr. Speaker! There are many good things in the answer; I emphasize it once again. Above all, it is good that the vulnerability of LGBTQ+ persons is highlighted and that this is given space in this debate. I want to particularly emphasize that.
As the Minister was pointing out, our parties have achieved things historically. Despite having different ideological starting points, both liberals and social democrats have done a lot when it comes to equality work and have played a major role.
In this area, far too little has been done; I completely agree with that. We should do more in this area, because we often want the same thing.
In the Tidö Agreement, there is talk of increased penalties, and we absolutely say yes to that. But I think there can be a certain double standard in allowing religious upbringing in school instead of a focus on education and knowledge.
With that reason, I shall quote a passage in Expressen that I have noted: "We went to the election on a total stop for religious independent schools and we will not give in. We cannot accept that a single school in our country hinders integration and inhibits students' freedom. Particularly serious is that children who have the greatest need of being integrated into Sweden are often the same children who are placed in religious independent schools. So it must not be - the school shall be a place where language, knowledge and education are in focus, not religious practice or oppressive norms. The Liberals will always work to ensure more is done in the fight against honor oppression."
This needs to be done, but I am wondering how it is intended? In this government, it will be very difficult. If nothing is done in this area now and proposals are submitted to abolish religious free schools, what credibility will the work against honor-related violence and oppression then have? This is serious for society, and we need to do more.
At the same time, an integrated and strong society is not allowed to emerge, but instead a parallel society, which begins already with the children. Is this what is relevant in this struggle?
Does the government and the Liberals mean business and are they prepared to truly put a stop to religious independent schools in the fight against honor-related violence and oppression?
Linus Sköld (S)
Mr. Speaker! It is good that the Minister is not mincing words and wants to take action against honor-related violence and oppression. I agree that this is truly needed.
I think, however, that it is a bit cheeky. The government makes collective decisions. Everyone who is active in this chamber knows that. Doesn't the Minister think it could appear misleading that the party leader and the Minister have one line in Expressen Debatt and another line in the government's collective decision-making? Which one is it that applies? The debate article is signed by the Minister for Equality, so it is with the Minister's hat that the statement is made.
Which line is it that applies? Should we have a bit more inspection with a focus on religious free schools with a Muslim profile, for that is roughly what is stated in the Tidö Agreement? Or should we have the Liberals' line? Will the Liberals give in? Which line applies? The Minister for Equality cannot hold both views at the same time.
Statsrådet Paulina Brandberg (L)
Mr. Speaker! When it comes to religious independent schools, the Liberals' position is clear. Regarding the government's work on this, I must ask the interpellator and Linus Sköld to turn to School Minister Lotta Edholm, who is responsible for this issue.
There is much to do in the fight against honor-related violence and oppression that does not involve shutting down or preserving religious private schools. I am proud of what is stated in the Tidö Agreement and the work that the government has already begun, for example, by criminalizing virginity checks – not just preventing them as the previous government wanted. We have now given additional directives that we want to criminalize this. We want it to be punishable to subject perfectly healthy women to surgical procedures whose sole purpose is to control their sexuality. Here we want to go further than the previous government. We also want to go further in building up the preventive work.
In my previous role as a prosecutor, I have met many victims of honor oppression and honor violence in courtrooms, and I know that much needs to be done to provide this group with good support. We must have an incredibly good protection for this group so that they can at all turn to the authorities and ask for help, because so much is at stake. The price they pay for doing this is incredibly high, and in that case, society must step up. The Government will initiate work to support this group.
We must have knowledge-enhancing measures. We know that today there are signals that professionals in school and social services can pick up. This concerns, for example, students who risk being married off during the holidays. But for the professionals to be able to pick up these signals, they must have knowledge of what they should look for so that they can intervene and so that the important law that was introduced in 2020, which Liberalerna, among others, got through, regarding travel bans to prevent children from being taken out of the country to, for example, be married off or subjected to female genital mutilation, can be used.
In order for this law to have an effect, we must have strong knowledge-raising measures in the country. The government will invest heavily in this, because this vulnerable group deserves a significantly better situation than today's.
Sofia Amloh (S)
Mr. Speaker! I agree that it is very important with knowledge-raising measures and a national center for just the reasons that the Minister mentioned.
But my questions remain, because the answers from the Minister are lacking. I hear that it is important, that things should be done and that one is prepared to go further.
I have now asked my question repeatedly. It is fine to have a rather high tail-end in the evening press, but is one not also obliged to answer in the chamber of the Riksdag how it is to be done? Do you even intend to try to present this type of proposal? Will it be okay with religious upbringing that drives segregation while honor-related violence and forced marriage are to be countered through action plans? Will it be okay to punish but not prevent?
As long as there is no proposal for the Riksdag to take a position on, it is rather empty words in that right-conservative mess, and we do not see a glimpse of liberal values anywhere other than in the evening press.
I can state again that the Liberals will have greater success with us and other parliamentary parties on these issues than in the government they have chosen to join. Our hand remains extended if the Liberals want to make an actual difference.
Statsrådet Paulina Brandberg (L)
Mr. Speaker! We have had eight years of Social Democratic rule, and not enough has been done for this group. It has been betrayed for so many years, and as I mentioned earlier, both Social Democrats and Left Party members have engaged in accusations of racism and smear campaigns against those who have tried to lead this fight.
I am glad that we have come further today and that we have this debate. I would like to sincerely thank you for that, but it is enough to look at the Tidö Agreement to see that the government will go further in its measures to protect this group and prevent the violence and oppression that so many young people live with in Sweden today.
I would like to conclude by thanking Sofia Amloh and Linus Sköld for this very important debate. I am pleased that we have a consensus on very many issues, and I believe that it will facilitate the work moving forward, because what this group needs – the people who have the least freedom in our society – is consensus, unity, and a swift way forward. I hope that the conditions will exist regarding the measures that are now on the government's table.
Source: The Swedish Parliament. The speeches come from the open data of the Riksdag, translated into English by AI, which may contain errors.