Human rights

There are a number of laws and international agreements which protect the basic rights of citizens in Sweden. Every right also involves an obligation. Each and every person is obliged to respect the rights of other people.

Sweden has signed the majority of documents relating to human rights within the United Nations, UN.

Human rights state that all people are born free and equal in terms of both value and rights. Human rights should apply to all people all over the world, no matter what their country, culture or context.

Here are some of those rights:

  • the laws and courts of countries must treat all people equally
  • countries must accept refugees who are without protection in their own countries
  • people must make their own decisions on their lives
  • people must be allowed to marry whomever they choose, think what they like and believe in whichever deity they choose
  • countries must work to combat poverty
  • countries must ensure that people have work and homes, that they are able to eat their fill and learn how to read and right.

Law against discrimination

Discrimination means disadvantaging someone or treating them less favourable than others due to their sex, ethnic background, sexual orientation, disabilities or age, for example.

The Discrimination Act protects individuals against discrimination at work, in schools, in shops, within authorities, in hospitals and in a wide range of other areas, among other things. Anyone subjected to discrimination can report this to the Discrimination Ombudsman, or DO.

The following are grounds for discrimination:

  • sex
  • identity or expression transcending gender
  • ethnic background
  • religion or other belief
  • disabilities
  • sexual orientation
  • age

If you're disadvantaged when it comes to parental leave, for example, you can also report this as discrimination.