2025-04-242024/25:FöU6 · p.8FöUDefence
Protection for foreign personnel
Protection for foreign local staff who have assisted Swedish forces abroad
What's at stake: The decision affects interpreters and other locally employed staff abroad whose safety is threatened because they worked for Swedish forces, for example in Afghanistan, as well as how quickly and predictably Sweden can act to protect them in future operations.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether the government should establish a general, forward-looking arrangement guaranteeing protection and resettlement for foreign personnel who have assisted Swedish forces abroad, or whether the current case-by-case approach - which has already included some resettlement from Afghanistan - should be considered sufficient.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee attaches great importance to interpreters and other local staff who have supported the Armed Forces' operations being given protection. It notes that evacuation efforts have already been carried out for Afghanistan and that a number of local staff and their families have been helped to resettle, and that it remains the government's ambition to continue this work, but also notes practical difficulties in helping people who remain in Afghanistan. The committee therefore rejects the motion proposal for a dedicated arrangement.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 19 (MP)
The reservation (MP) calls for the government to devise an arrangement that guarantees protection for foreign personnel, such as interpreters, who assist Swedish forces abroad. The reasoning is that around 50 people who met the requirements for resettlement from Afghanistan were not resettled within the 2021 window and remain in danger, and that the lack of a clear form of protection risks making fewer people willing to take employment for Sweden.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 19 by MP.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | Yes 19/0/0/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| S | No | Yes 91/0/0/15 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| MP | No | No 0/13/0/5 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| C | No | Yes 21/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 12/0/0/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| KD | No | Yes 14/0/0/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| M | No | Yes 58/0/0/10 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| SD | Yes | Yes 63/0/0/9 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects motion 2024/25:810 by Annika Hirvonen et al. (MP) demand 2.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motion 2024/25:810 av Annika Hirvonen m.fl. (MP) yrkande 2.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag said no to approximately 60 proposals on personnel matters that were submitted in motions during the general motion period in 2024. The Riksdag refers, among other things, to the fact that work is already underway in the issues covered by the proposals. The proposals concern, for example, personnel and competence supply within total defence and the rescue service, gender distribution and equality, civil service, veterans and voluntary defence organisations.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants to index-regulate the daily allowance for conscripted personnel to follow price developments in society. (MP) — Reservation 19
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan wants to see an asylum policy based on respect for international conventions that give people a refuge from war and oppression, and that Sweden is a steady voice for human rights.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to see an asylum policy based on respect for international conventions that give people a refuge from war and oppression, and that Sweden is a steady voice for human rights. To ensure an order for protection of interpreters and other local staff who risk persecution for their work is a direct expression of that commitment. The plan does not specifically mention resettlement of local staff, so the position is derived.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill se en asylpolitik grundad i respekt för de internationella konventionerna som ger människor en fristad undan krig och förtryck, och att Sverige är en stadig röst för mänskliga rättigheter. Att säkerställa en ordning för skydd åt tolkar och annan lokalanställd personal som riskerar förföljelse för sitt arbete är ett direkt uttryck för det åtagandet. Planen nämner inte vidarebosättning av lokalanställda särskilt, varför ställningstagandet är härlett.
- refuge from war and oppressiondecisive»fristad undan krig och förtryck.« (party programme ↗)“refuge from war and oppression.”
- asylum policy according to conventions»Vi vill se en asylpolitik grundad i respekt för« (party programme ↗)“We want to see an asylum policy based on respect for”
- voice for human rights»en stadig röst i världen som talar för mänskliga rättigheter, fred och« (party programme ↗)“a steady voice in the world speaking for human rights, peace and”
- protection for persecuted people»Rätten att söka asyl kan aldrig tummas på, vi kräver att endast permanenta uppehållstillstånd ska utfärdas vid beviljad asyl.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The right to seek asylum can never be compromised, we require that only permanent residence permits shall be issued when asylum is granted.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The party programme establishes that individual people's right to life in freedom and security must always be defended and that Sweden shall offer a safe haven to people forced to flee from persecution and violence.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme establishes that individual people's right to life in freedom and security must always be defended and that Sweden shall offer a safe haven to people forced to flee from persecution and violence. Since Sweden actively participates in international operations, responsibility follows for the interpreters and local staff who risk their lives for these operations. An arrangement that ensures their protection is therefore in line with the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet slår fast att enskilda människors rätt till liv i frihet och säkerhet alltid måste försvaras och att Sverige ska erbjuda en trygg fristad åt människor som tvingas fly från förföljelse och våld. Eftersom Sverige aktivt deltar i internationella insatser följer ett ansvar för de tolkar och lokalanställda som riskerar sina liv för dessa insatser. En ordning som säkerställer deras skydd ligger därmed i linje med planen.
- haven for persecuted peopledecisive»Sverige ska erbjuda en trygg fristad åt människor som tvingas fly från förföljelse och våld« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall offer a safe haven to people forced to flee from persecution and violence”
- the right to life and security»rätt till liv i frihet och säkerhet måste alltid försvaras« (party programme ↗)“right to life in freedom and security must always be defended”
- responsibility for own operations»Vi deltar i FN-stödda fredsbevarande operationer« (party programme ↗)“We participate in UN-supported peace-keeping operations”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan establishes that Sweden shall be a sanctuary from persecution, torture and war, that asylum rights and the quota refugee system shall be defended and that those who flee shall have more legal paths to safety.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that Sweden shall be a sanctuary from persecution, torture and war, that asylum rights and the quota refugee system shall be defended and that those who flee shall have more legal paths to safety. Developing an arrangement that ensures protection and resettlement for locally employed interpreters who have assisted foreign forces follows from these commitments.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att Sverige ska vara en fristad från förföljelse, tortyr och krig, att asylrätten och kvotflyktingsystemet ska försvaras och att den som flyr ska ha fler lagliga vägar till säkerhet. Att ta fram en ordning som säkerställer skydd och vidarebosättning för lokalanställda tolkar som bistått utländska styrkor följer av dessa åtaganden.
- Sweden as a sanctuarydecisive»Sverige ska vara en fristad från förföljelse, tortyr« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall be a sanctuary from persecution, torture”
- more legal paths»Den som flyr ska ha fler lagliga vägar för att ta sig till säkerhet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Those who flee shall have more legal paths to safety.”
- the quota refugee system is protected»försvara asylrätten och kvotflyktingsystemet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“defend asylum rights and the quota refugee system.”
- protection for vulnerable groups»stärka rättssäkerheten i asylprocessen och stödet för hbtqi-flyktingar och andra sårbara grupper.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“strengthen legal certainty in the asylum process and support for LGBTQI refugees and other vulnerable groups.”
flags: citat_migrerat
The plan wants Sweden to assist in international missions and establishes that the protection of human rights is the responsibility of the whole world, with a generous and humane stance towards people in danger.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants Sweden to assist in international missions and establishes that the protection of human rights is the responsibility of the whole world, with a generous and humane stance towards people in danger. An arrangement that ensures protection for interpreters and other locally hired staff who have supported such missions follows from this. The plan therefore supports the demand.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill att Sverige bistår i internationella insatser och slår fast att skyddet av mänskliga rättigheter är hela världens ansvar, med en generös och human hållning gentemot människor i fara. En ordning som säkerställer skydd för tolkar och annan lokalanställd personal som stött sådana insatser följer av det. Planen stöder därför kravet.
- international missionsdecisive»Centerpartiet vill att Sverige ska bistå i internationella fredsinsatser, gärna i ökad utsträckning under direkt FN-ledning.« (party programme ↗)“Centerpartiet wants Sweden to assist in international peace missions, preferably in increased scope under direct UN leadership.”
- humane refugee policy»Centerpartiet strävar efter öppna gränser, fri rörlighet samt en generös och human flykting- och invandringspolitik.« (party programme ↗)“Centerpartiet strives for open borders, free movement and a generous and humane refugee and immigration policy.”
- responsibility for human rights»Fred, skyddet av mänskliga rättigheter och hållbar utveckling är hela världens ansvar.« (party programme ↗)“Peace, the protection of human rights and sustainable development are the responsibility of the whole world.”
- responsibility for protection»Fler länder behöver vara med och ta ansvar för skyddet av flyktingar.« (party programme ↗)“More countries need to take part and assume responsibility for the protection of refugees.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The election manifesto states that people fleeing war and persecution shall receive protection, and the party programme requires safe and legal flight paths to the EU and that more countries accept resettled refugees.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto states that people fleeing war and persecution shall receive protection, and the party programme requires safe and legal flight paths to the EU and that more countries accept resettled refugees. The plan also wants more Swedes to be made available for international operations, which requires that local staff can be protected. An arrangement that secures protection for interpreters therefore follows from the plan's commitments.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet slår fast att människor som flyr krig och förföljelse ska få skydd, och partiprogrammet kräver trygga och lagliga flyktvägar till EU samt att fler länder tar emot kvotflyktingar. Planen vill dessutom att fler svenskar ställs till förfogande för internationella insatser, vilket förutsätter att lokalanställda kan skyddas. En ordning som säkerställer skydd för tolkar följer därför av planens åtaganden.
- protection for the persecuteddecisive»Människor som flyr krig och förföljelse ska få skydd.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“People who flee war and persecution shall receive protection.”
- legal flight paths»Det måste skapas trygga och lagliga flyktvägar« (party programme ↗)“Safe and legal flight paths must be created”
- resettlement of refugees»Sverige ska arbeta för att alla EU-länder tar emot kvotflyktingar« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall work for all EU countries to accept resettled refugees”
- more international operations»ställas till förfogande för internationella insatser i FN:s, EU:s eller Natos regi« (party programme ↗)“made available for international operations under the auspices of the UN, EU or NATO”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan lacks an explicit commitment to local employment in foreign operations, but states that human dignity is universal and cannot be limited by geographical boundaries, and that the most vulnerable in conflicts have the right to help and protection.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan lacks an explicit commitment to local employment in foreign operations, but states that human dignity is universal and cannot be limited by geographical boundaries, and that the most vulnerable in conflicts have the right to help and protection. Ensuring an arrangement that protects interpreters who have risked their lives in Swedish operations follows from the solidarity with the weak and oppressed that the plan is built on. The conclusion is derived from general principles, therefore the certainty is low.
Original (Swedish)
Planen saknar ett uttalat åtagande om lokalanställd personal vid utlandsinsatser, men slår fast att människovärdet är universellt och inte kan begränsas av geografiska gränser, och att de mest utsatta i konflikter har rätt till hjälp och skydd. Att säkerställa en ordning som skyddar tolkar som riskerat livet i svenskt uppdrag följer av den solidaritet med svaga och förtryckta som planen bygger på. Slutsatsen är härledd ur allmänna principer, varför säkerheten är låg.
- universal human dignitydecisive»Människovärdet är universellt« (party programme ↗)“Human dignity is universal”
- protection for the most vulnerable in conflicts»har rätt till hjälp och skydd.« (party programme ↗)“have the right to help and protection.”
- solidarity with the vulnerable»Vi vill solidarisera oss med de svaga och förtryckta.« (party programme ↗)“We want to stand in solidarity with the weak and oppressed.”
- international responsibility»INTERNATIONELLT ANSVARSTAGANDE« (2022 manifesto ↗)“INTERNATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan does not address the protection of locally hired interpreters at international deployments.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address the protection of locally hired interpreters at international deployments. However, it retains quota refugee reception and states that Sweden should prioritize efforts for democracy and human rights, which is the closest-lying principle for a limited, defined resettlement of persons who risk their lives for Swedish operations. The plan's strict migration line applies to the volume of asylum reception, not this group.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar inte skyddet för lokalanställda tolkar vid internationella insatser. Den behåller dock kvotflyktingmottagandet och anger att Sverige ska prioritera insatser för demokrati och mänskliga rättigheter, vilket är den närmast liggande principen för en liten, avgränsad vidarebosättning av personer som riskerar sitt liv för svenska insatser. Planens strama migrationslinje gäller asylmottagandets volym, inte denna grupp.
- prioritizations within quota receptiondecisive»Prioritera kvinnor och hbtq-personer i kvotflyktingmottagandet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Prioritize women and LGBTQ persons in quota refugee reception”
- democracy and human rights»Prioritera insatser som stödjer arbetet för demokrati och mänskliga rättigheter« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Prioritize efforts that support work for democracy and human rights”
- strict migration policy»En målstyrd, stram och hållbar migrationspolitik är en förutsättning för att integrationen ska fungera.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“A goal-driven, strict and sustainable migration policy is a prerequisite for integration to function.”
flags: citat_migrerat
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan wants to stop asylum immigration from countries outside the near region, pause quota refugee intake and prioritize quota refugees from the near region, with assistance primarily given on site.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to stop asylum immigration from countries outside the near region, pause quota refugee intake and prioritize quota refugees from the near region, with assistance primarily given on site. A new arrangement ensuring resettlement in Sweden of foreign locally-employed personnel goes against these commitments. The plan's gratitude toward those who have served does however speak partly to the other side.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill stoppa asylinvandringen från länder utanför närområdet, pausa kvotflyktingmottagningen och prioritera kvotflyktingar från närområdet, med hjälpen i första hand given på plats. En ny ordning som säkerställer vidarebosättning i Sverige av utländsk lokalanställd personal går emot dessa åtaganden. Planens tacksamhet mot dem som tjänstgjort talar dock delvis åt andra hållet.
- paused quota refugee intakedecisive»Stoppa asylinvandringen och pausa kvotflyktingmottagningen samt fokusera på återvändande« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Stop asylum immigration and pause quota refugee intake and focus on return”
- quota refugees from the near region»Prioritera kvotflyktingar från närområdet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Prioritize quota refugees from the near region”
- assistance in the near region»Flyktinghjälp och avlastning av krisdrabbade länder ska i första hand hanteras i närområdet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Refugee assistance and relief for crisis-struck countries shall be handled primarily in the near region.”
- recognition to deployed personnel»Stödet och tacksamheten till veteraner som tjänstgjort för Sverige bör också komma tydligare i uttryck.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Support and gratitude to veterans who have served for Sweden should also come more clearly to expression.”
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2024/25:FöU6)
- Committee report full text (HC01FöU6)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2024/25:1273 — Om hoten i vår omvärld av Mathias Tegnér (S)
- Motion 2024/25:1395 — Jordbruk - ökad konkurrenskraft utan förlust av biologisk mångfald av Martin Kinnunen m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1406 — Militärt försvar av Lars Wistedt m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:1731 — Åtgärder mot personalbrist inom försvaret av Mikael Oscarsson (KD)
- Motion 2024/25:2265 — Utökning av Plikt- och prövningsverkets verksamhet i norra Sverige av Mattias Eriksson Falk och Roger Hedlund (båda SD)
- Motion 2024/25:23 — Svenskar som har försvarat Ukraina av Magnus Jacobsson (KD)
- Motion 2024/25:2368 — Krigsplacering av frivilligpersonal av Thomas Ragnarsson (M)
- Motion 2024/25:2493 — Bemanning i verksamheter nära medborgarna av Gunilla Svantorp m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2024/25:2953 — Jord, skog och jakt av Helena Lindahl m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2024/25:296 — Utredning om införande av obligatoriskt tjänstgöringsår av Kjell-Arne Ottosson (KD)
- Motion 2024/25:3002 — Ökat stöd för veteraner av Markus Wiechel m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:3023 — Försvar och samhällets krisberedskap av Peter Hultqvist m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2024/25:3038 — Stärkt beredskap och ett robustare samhälle av Daniel Helldén m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2024/25:3069 — Jämställdhet och mäns våld mot kvinnor av Ardalan Shekarabi m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2024/25:3160 — Krisberedskap och utveckling av militärt och civilt försvar av Mikael Larsson m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2024/25:497 — Vapenfri värnplikt av Martina Johansson (C)
- Motion 2024/25:505 — Civilpliktsutbildning av Anne-Li Sjölund (C)
- Motion 2024/25:602 — Bristen på deltidsbrandmän av Alexander Christiansson (SD)
- Motion 2024/25:627 — Möjlighet för fler att genomgå grundutbildning inom Försvarsmakten av Mattias Eriksson Falk och Roger Hedlund (båda SD)
- Motion 2024/25:810 — Sveriges ansvar för personal som bistått svenska styrkor utomlands av Annika Hirvonen m.fl. (MP)
Source: The Swedish Parliament