2025-01-222024/25:SoU9 · p.1SoUHealth & social services
Continued children's rights work
Continued work to strengthen compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child
What's at stake: The decision affects how coordinated and trackable Sweden's work on children's rights becomes, which in turn determines how well the impact on children is factored into legislation, the budget and the work of authorities dealing with children.
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's ongoing measures to strengthen compliance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child are sufficient, or whether the government should be required to set a clear timeline for an updated strategy, clarify how child-impact assessments are reported in the budget, and steer school authorities toward a common approach, in line with the National Audit Office's criticism.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee welcomes the National Audit Office's report and shares the government's assessment that the strategy for children's rights has been significant, noting that the government already intends to analyse, follow up and evaluate the strategy, that a new regulation on impact assessments sets clearer requirements for measures to be justified and comprehensively examined, that an agency has been tasked with producing guidance on this, and that the instruction for a school authority has been amended to increase alignment with other school authorities; the committee therefore rejects the motion.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 1 (MP)
The reserving party (MP) welcomes the National Audit Office's review but wants the government to specify a timeline for when an updated strategy for children's rights will be in place, to clarify whether and how child-impact assessments are to be made in the budget, and to clarify the direction of school authorities' work on children's rights so that the authorities share a common approach to the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
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 1 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 21/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| S | No | Yes 93/0/0/13 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| MP | No | No 0/16/0/2 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| C | No | Yes 21/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 14/0/0/2 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| KD | No | Yes 17/0/0/2 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| M | Yes | Yes 60/0/0/8 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| SD | No | Yes 63/0/0/9 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects motion 2024/25:3226 by Ulrika Westerlund and Camilla Hansén (both MP) items 1-3.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motion 2024/25:3226 av Ulrika Westerlund och Camilla Hansén (båda MP) yrkandena 1-3.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag has addressed a letter regarding the National Audit Office's report on state measures to strengthen compliance with the children's convention. The National Audit Office's review has encompassed the government, the Children's Ombudsman, and three educational authorities: the Special Educational Needs Authority, the Swedish National Agency for Education, and the School Inspectorate. The overarching conclusion is that the state's measures have not been sufficiently effective. The shortcomings concern, among other things, a lack of knowledge about what children's rights mean in practice for various activities. The government agrees with most of the National Audit Office's assessments. In the letter, the government points to a number of measures that have already been taken to promote the children's convention, such as the strategy for strengthening children's rights in Sweden and measures to strengthen the Children's Ombudsman. The Riksdag placed the letter with the records, that is, concluded the matter.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants to update the strategy for children's rights and introduce clearer child impact assessments in the budget. (MP) — Reservation 1
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 party programme wants to continue work to implement the child convention and the principle of ensuring the best interests of the child in every situation, and that all children get the support needed to manage school.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme wants to continue work to implement the child convention and the principle of ensuring the best interests of the child in every situation, and that all children get the support needed to manage school. Requirements for a time-bound updated children's rights strategy, child impact assessments in the budget and a common view among school authorities are concrete steps in that direction.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet vill fortsätta arbetet med att förverkliga barnkonventionen och principen att i varje läge se till barnets bästa, och att alla barn får det stöd som behövs för att klara skolan. Krav på en tidsatt uppdaterad barnrättsstrategi, barnkonsekvensbeskrivningar i budgeten och en gemensam syn hos skolmyndigheterna är konkreta steg i den riktningen.
- child's best interestdecisive»principen att i varje läge se till barnets« (party programme ↗)“the principle of ensuring the best interests of the child in every situation”
- stronger children's rights»Utvecklingen mot starkare rättigheter för barn är en av de progressiva« (party programme ↗)“The development toward stronger rights for children is one of the progressive”
- support for all children»barn ska växa upp med det stöd som behövs för att klara skolan och« (party programme ↗)“children shall grow up with the support needed to manage school and”
- children's vulnerability»Alltför många barn far illa idag och den psykiska ohälsan bland unga är utbredd.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Far too many children fare badly today and mental illness among young people is widespread.”
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 binds the party to all children having a safe childhood in accordance with the UN convention on the rights of the child and to equal conditions for children and youth.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme binds the party to all children having a safe childhood in accordance with the UN convention on the rights of the child and to equal conditions for children and youth. The counter-proposal's demands for a point in time for an updated children's rights strategy, clarity on children's consequence analyses in the budget and a joint direction for school authorities' children's rights work are ways of making these commitments effective. The plan does not express itself on strategy timelines, which is why the assessment is derived.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet binder partiet till att alla barn ska ha en trygg uppväxt i enlighet med barnkonventionen och till likvärdiga villkor för barn och unga. Motförslagets krav på en tidpunkt för en uppdaterad barnrättsstrategi, tydlighet om barnkonsekvensbeskrivningar i budgeten och en gemensam inriktning för skolmyndigheternas barnrättsarbete är sätt att göra dessa åtaganden verksamma. Planen uttalar sig inte om strategiers tidsättning, varför bedömningen är härledd.
- the UN convention on the rights of the child as foundationdecisive»Alla barn ska ha rätt till en trygg uppväxt i enlighet med FN:s barnkonvention.« (party programme ↗)“All children shall have the right to a safe childhood in accordance with the UN convention on the rights of the child.”
- equal conditions for children»Alla barn och ungdomar ska ha rätt till likvärdiga villkor« (party programme ↗)“All children and young people shall have the right to equal conditions”
- every child's opportunities in school»Skolan ska ge varje barn möjlighet att lyckas utifrån sina förutsättningar.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“School shall give every child the opportunity to succeed based on their conditions.”
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 requires that the Convention on the Rights of the Child becomes Swedish law and that political decisions are preceded by a child impact assessment, which is precisely what the counter-proposal wants to clarify for the budget and for the authorities' work.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that the Convention on the Rights of the Child becomes Swedish law and that political decisions are preceded by a child impact assessment, which is precisely what the counter-proposal wants to clarify for the budget and for the authorities' work. That children shall be involved in shaping society also speaks for setting a timeline for an updated strategy instead of deferring it to the future. The demand thereby aligns with the plan's core child rights commitment.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att barnkonventionen blir svensk lag och att politiska beslut föregås av en barnkonsekvensanalys, vilket är precis vad motförslaget vill klargöra för budgeten och för myndigheternas arbete. Att barn ska vara med och utforma samhället talar också för att en uppdaterad strategi tidsätts i stället för att skjutas på framtiden. Kravet ligger därmed i linje med planens bärande barnrättsåtagande.
- child impact assessment of decisionsdecisive»FN:s barnkonvention ska bli svensk lag och politiska beslut bör föregås av en barnkonsekvensanalys.« (party programme ↗)“The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child shall become Swedish law and political decisions should be preceded by a child impact assessment.”
- children's participation»Barn ska vara med och utforma samhället.« (party programme ↗)“Children shall be involved in shaping society.”
- children as actors»Barn är aktiva medskapare av samhället och ska inte ses som passiva mottagare av det samhälle som vuxna skapar åt dem.« (party programme ↗)“Children are active co-creators of society and shall not be seen as passive recipients of the society that adults create for them.”
- child perspective in legislation»Barnperspektivet ska genomsyra migrationslagarna, och Sverige ska ta vara på den stora kraft som finns i nya invånares vilja att delta i samhället.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The child perspective shall permeate immigration laws, and Sweden shall take advantage of the great force that exists in new residents' willingness to participate in society.”
The party programme states that society's actors shall adopt the individual's perspective and that children's rights and perspectives are of the utmost importance, and that every child's right to be respected shall be protected.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme states that society's actors shall adopt the individual's perspective and that children's rights and perspectives are of the utmost importance, and that every child's right to be respected shall be protected. The counter-proposal's requirements for a time-bound updated child rights strategy, clarity on child impact assessments and clear direction for school authorities are means for exactly that. The plan does not comment on these governance instruments.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet slår fast att samhällets aktörer ska inta individens perspektiv och att barnens rättigheter och perspektiv är av största betydelse, och att varje barns rätt att bli respekterad ska värnas. Motförslagets krav på en tidsatt uppdaterad barnrättsstrategi, klarhet om barnkonsekvensbeskrivningar och en tydlig inriktning för skolmyndigheterna är medel för just det. Planen uttalar sig inte om dessa styrinstrument.
- children's rights firstdecisive»Samhällets aktörer ska inta individens perspektiv. Av största betydelse är då barnens rättigheter och perspektiv.« (party programme ↗)“Society's actors shall adopt the individual's perspective. Of utmost importance are then the children's rights and perspectives.”
- every child's right to be respected»Särskilt viktigt är att värna varje barns rätt att bli respekterad och att bli sedd för den man är.« (party programme ↗)“It is particularly important to protect every child's right to be respected and to be seen for who they are.”
- safe school for children»Skolan ska vara en trygg plats — fri från rasism, homofobi och trakasserier grundade på kön — där barn kan växa och utvecklas.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“School shall be a safe place — free from racism, homophobia and harassment based on sex/gender — where children can grow and develop.”
- clear school governance»Styrningen av skolan ska kännetecknas av strikta kvalitetskrav och likvärdighet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The governance of school shall be characterized by strict quality requirements and equity.”
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 children and young people have the right to be respected as individuals, that all children deserve a good start in life and that early and preventive measures are crucial.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme establishes that children and young people have the right to be respected as individuals, that all children deserve a good start in life and that early and preventive measures are crucial. The counter-proposal's demands for a time-bound updated children's rights strategy, clarified child impact assessments and a common view among school authorities are measures that strengthen precisely this implementation. The plan says nothing about strategies or impact assessments, so the support is derived and uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet slår fast att barn och ungdomar har rätt att respekteras som individer, att alla barn förtjänar en bra start i livet och att tidiga och förebyggande insatser är avgörande. Motförslagets krav på en tidsatt uppdaterad barnrättsstrategi, tydliggjorda barnkonsekvensbeskrivningar och en gemensam syn hos skolmyndigheterna är åtgärder som stärker just detta genomförande. Planen säger dock ingenting om strategier eller konsekvensbeskrivningar, varför stödet är härlett och osäkert.
- children's rightsdecisive»Barn och ungdomar har rätt att respekteras som individer« (party programme ↗)“Children and young people have the right to be respected as individuals”
- good start for all children»Alla barn förtjänar en bra start i livet.« (party programme ↗)“All children deserve a good start in life.”
- early preventive measures»Tidiga och förebyggande insatser är avgörande.« (party programme ↗)“Early and preventive measures are crucial.”
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 the best interests of the child shall come first and that measures for children shall be based on the child convention, and requires that all political decisions be analyzed based on their consequences for families and children.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that the best interests of the child shall come first and that measures for children shall be based on the child convention, and requires that all political decisions be analyzed based on their consequences for families and children. The counter-proposal's demand for a time-bound strategy, clarified child impact descriptions and a shared view among school authorities responds to this. The election manifesto moreover wants to see integrated child and youth health care.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att barnets bästa ska komma i främsta rummet och att insatser för barn ska ske med utgångspunkt i barnkonventionen, och kräver att alla politiska beslut analyseras utifrån konsekvenserna för familjer och barn. Motförslagets krav på tidsatt strategi, tydliggjorda barnkonsekvensbeskrivningar och en gemensam syn hos skolmyndigheterna svarar mot detta. Valmanifestet vill dessutom se en sammanhållen barn- och ungdomshälsovård.
- best interests of the child firstdecisive»barnets bästa ska komma i främsta rummet.« (party programme ↗)“the best interests of the child shall come first.”
- consequence analysis for children and family»Därför bör alla politiska beslut analyseras utifrån vilka konsekvenser de får« (party programme ↗)“Therefore, all political decisions should be analyzed based on what consequences they have”
- child convention as starting point»att stödja barn och ungdomar ska ske med utgångspunkt i FN:s barnkonvention« (party programme ↗)“supporting children and young people shall be based on the UN child convention”
- integrated child health care»Kraftigt stärkt elevhälsa med en sammanhållen barn- och ungdomshälsovård och föräldrastödsprogram som erbjuds alla föräldrar.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Substantially strengthened student health with integrated child and youth health care and parent support programs offered to all parents.”
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 documents do not address the children's convention strategy or child impact assessments in the budget.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The documents do not address the children's convention strategy or child impact assessments in the budget. The closest commitments are to emphasize and strengthen parental responsibility and to reduce documentation requirements in schools, which speaks against establishing new time-bound strategies and impact assessments in the planning. The position is derived and uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Dokumenten behandlar inte barnkonventionsstrategin eller barnkonsekvensbeskrivningar i budgeten. Närmast liggande åtaganden är att föräldraansvaret ska betonas och förstärkas och att dokumentationskraven i skolan ska minska, vilket talar mot att lägga fast nya tidsatta strategier och konsekvensbeskrivningar i beredningen. Ställningstagandet är härlett och osäkert.
- parental responsibility firstdecisive»Betona och förstärka föräldraansvaret« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Emphasize and strengthen parental responsibility”
- children's development is prioritized»Samhällets viktigaste investering för framtiden är barns utveckling.« (party programme ↗)“Society's most important investment for the future is children's development.”
- less documentation»Minska lärarnas dokumentationskrav« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Reduce documentation requirements for teachers”
The plan makes it its own commitment that the child's best interests shall always be considered and that quality and legal certainty in matters concerning children shall increase.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan makes it its own commitment that the child's best interests shall always be considered and that quality and legal certainty in matters concerning children shall increase. Setting a deadline for an updated children's rights strategy and clarifying how child impact shall be highlighted are means for that, and the plan generally requires clear results and monitoring of public investments. The plan, however, does not mention implementation of the children's convention, so the support is derived.
Original (Swedish)
Planen gör det till ett eget åtagande att barnets bästa alltid ska beaktas och att kvaliteten och rättssäkerheten i frågor som rör barn ska öka. Att sätta en tidpunkt för en uppdaterad barnrättsstrategi och klargöra hur barnkonsekvenser ska belysas är medel för det, och planen kräver generellt tydliga resultat och uppföljning av offentliga satsningar. Planen nämner däremot inte barnkonventionens genomförande, så stödet är härlett.
- child's best interests alwaysdecisive»Att barnets bästa alltid ska beaktas« (2022 manifesto ↗)“That the child's best interests shall always be considered”
- children's best interests in all situations»Sverigedemokraternas familjepolitik är att barnens bästa skall beaktas i alla situationer« (party programme ↗)“Sweden Democrats' family policy is that children's best interests shall be considered in all situations”
- quality in children's issues»Öka kvalité och rättssäkerhet i utredningar om barn« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Increase quality and legal certainty in investigations concerning children”
- results and monitoring»Begära tydliga resultat för varje offentlig satsning« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Demand clear results for every public investment”
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.
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2024/25:SoU9)
- Committee report full text (HC01SoU9)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2024/25:3226 — med anledning av skr. 2024/25:9 Riksrevisionens rapport om statens insatser för att stärka efterlevnaden av barnkonventionen av Ulrika Westerlund och Camilla Hansén (båda MP)
- Regeringens skrivelse 2024/25:9 — Riksrevisionens rapport om statens insatser för att stärka efterlevnaden av barnkonventionen
Source: The Swedish Parliament