Sweden should ensure equal access to rights of all minorities through clearer guidance to its municipalities

Sweden continues to apply the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities to the Jewish minority, Roma, Sweden Finns, Tornedalians and the Sámi people. The Advisory Committee's Opinion on the implementation of the Framework Convention by Sweden concludes that despite some improvements, notably among the youth, more efforts are needed to promote the rights and knowledge of national minority cultures, languages and traditions among the entire population. The Opinion was published together with comments from the Swedish authorities. (See also the summary of the Opinion in Swedish)

While the Act on National Minorities and Minority Languages was amended in 2019 to clarify and strengthen the use of minority languages in preschools and elderly care establishments, the implementation of national minority legislation at local and regional levels remains insufficient and varies significantly depending on the municipality and administrative area of the minority language. To ensure equal access to rights of all minorities, the Advisory Committee calls for a strengthened oversight mechanism and clearer guidance to municipalities.

The Advisory Committee notes that whilst the overall education system is favourable to teaching in and of minority languages, such teaching is limited in practice, mainly due to the limited number of teachers with minority language competences at all school levels. School dropouts and absenteeism remain an issue, notably among the Roma minority, and to a lesser extent among the Sámi people. The number of teaching and learning materials for the Sámi has increased; however, the availability of pedagogical materials in Finnish, Yiddish and Hebrew remains an issue. Bilingual education is not sufficiently developed in Sweden and too limited to independent schools. The closing of bilingual schools remains a concern, notably for persons belonging to the Sweden Finnish minority. While the number of minority language centres has been extended, more attention to diversity that exists within and among minorities is needed.

Press release
Sweden should ensure equal access to rights of all minorities through clearer guidance to its municipalities

The Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and Sweden