2024-05-292023/24:UU12 · p.1UUForeign affairs
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
Sweden's work in the OSCE and a possible focus on the persecution of Christians
What's at stake: The decision concerns how Sweden prioritises its engagement in one of the world's largest security organisations when it comes to protecting religious minorities, and could affect how prominently the persecution of Christians is raised in the international work.
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 parliament should direct the government to give particular priority within the OSCE to combating discrimination against Christians and other religious minorities, or whether Sweden's existing broad work for human rights and democracy within the organisation is sufficient.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee rejects the motion. Instead, the committee describes Sweden's broad work within the OSCE for human rights, democracy and the rule of law, and considers that this work, which covers all participating states and groups under pressure, already meets the need without a specific formal statement.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 1 (SD)
The reservation (SD) calls for the government to actively work within the OSCE's third dimension to place particular focus on combating the increasing discrimination against Christians and other religious minority groups among the participating states. The reasoning is that the situation for Christians is very difficult in many places and that their perspective is often overlooked.
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: Riksdagen avslår det motionsyrkande som finns upptaget under denna punkt i utskottets förteckning över avstyrkta motionsyrkanden.
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 1 by SD.
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 | Yes | Yes 18/0/0/6 | follows the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| S | No | Yes 91/0/0/15 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| MP | No | Yes 15/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| C | No | Yes 19/0/0/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| L | No | Yes 11/0/0/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| KD | No | Yes 16/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: high | not addressed |
| M | No | Yes 58/0/0/10 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| SD | No | No 0/61/0/11 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects the motion demand listed under this item in the committee's list of rejected motion demands.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår det motionsyrkande som finns upptaget under denna punkt i utskottets förteckning över avstyrkta motionsyrkanden.
Riksdag decision: The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is an association for security policy dialogue and cooperation in Europe. An important task for its parliamentary assembly is to conduct election observations at parliamentary elections in various countries. The government has in a communication to the Riksdag reported on OSCE's activities during 2022 and the first half of 2023. Sweden has worked for OSCE to be an instrument and a platform for the EU's combined policy in order to hold Russia accountable for the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Riksdag considers that Sweden should continue to be a strong voice for human rights, democracy and the principles of the rule of law, especially in a situation where these are challenged in several of the participating states. The Riksdag filed the communication and report as handled, which means that the matter was concluded.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants the government to actively work within OSCE to combat discrimination of Christians. (SD) — 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 plan defends freedom of religion and wants Sweden to be a steady voice for human rights, but its line is explicitly universal: to defend one another's opportunities every time conservative forces shut someone out, whoever it concerns.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan defends freedom of religion and wants Sweden to be a steady voice for human rights, but its line is explicitly universal: to defend one another's opportunities every time conservative forces shut someone out, whoever it concerns. To point out a single faith group for special focus in OSCE work does not follow from that, especially as the plan highlights Muslims and people of African descent as the groups Swedish and European racism is directed against. The evidence is weak.
Original (Swedish)
Planen försvarar religionsfriheten och vill att Sverige är en stadig röst för mänskliga rättigheter, men dess linje är uttryckligen universell: att försvara varandras möjligheter varje gång konservativa krafter stänger någon ute, vem det än gäller. Att i OSSE-arbetet peka ut en enskild trosgrupp för särskilt fokus följer inte av det, särskilt som planen lyfter fram muslimer och afrosvenskar som de grupper svensk och europeisk rasism riktas mot. Underlaget är svagt.
- universal rights defencedecisive»att tillsammans försvara varandras möjligheter att leva goda liv varje« (party programme ↗)“to jointly defend one another's opportunities to live good lives every”
- no groups set against each other»just den här gången handlar om sjukskrivna, muslimer eller transpersoner.« (party programme ↗)“just this time it is about those on sick leave, Muslims or trans people.”
- human rights voice in the world»en stadig röst i världen som talar för mänskliga rättigheter, fred och« (party programme ↗)“a steady voice in the world that speaks for human rights, peace and”
- realise the human rights declaration»rättigheterna var ett historiskt framsteg vi vill förverkliga fullt ut.« (party programme ↗)“rights were a historical progress we want to realise fully.”
The party programme makes respect for human rights a foundation for democracy and affirms the pursuit of equality regardless of ethnic and cultural background or religion.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme makes respect for human rights a foundation for democracy and affirms the pursuit of equality regardless of ethnic and cultural background or religion. Highlighting discrimination against religious minorities in OSCE's human rights work falls within that principle. However, the plan does not single out a specific group, so the support is derived from its general human rights policy.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet gör respekten för de mänskliga rättigheterna till en förutsättning för demokrati och slår fast strävan efter jämlikhet oavsett etnisk och kulturell tillhörighet eller religion. Att i OSSE:s människorättsarbete lyfta diskrimineringen av religiösa minoriteter ligger inom den principen. Planen pekar dock inte ut någon enskild grupp, så stödet är härlett ur den allmänna människorättslinjen.
- equality regardless of religiondecisive»efter jämlikhet oavsett hudfärg, etnisk och kulturell tillhörighet eller religion.« (party programme ↗)“for equality regardless of skin colour, ethnic and cultural background or religion.”
- human rights as foundation»Respekten för de mänskliga rättigheterna är en förutsättning för demokrati.« (party programme ↗)“Respect for human rights is a prerequisite for democracy.”
- active international human rights work»Vi kommer att fortsätta arbetet för att öka respekten för de mänskliga rättigheterna, demokratin och en regelbaserad världsordning och global säkerhet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We will continue work to increase respect for human rights, democracy and a rules-based world order and global security.”
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 states that everyone shall have the right to practise their faith and that all forms of discrimination shall be counteracted, and it itself highlights increasing discrimination of religious minorities.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that everyone shall have the right to practise their faith and that all forms of discrimination shall be counteracted, and it itself highlights increasing discrimination of religious minorities. That in international work to combat discrimination of religious minority groups follows from this, even though the plan's approach is universal rather than focused on a single group.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att alla ska ha rätt att utöva sin tro och att alla former av diskriminering ska motverkas, och den lyfter själv fram tilltagande diskriminering av religiösa minoriteter. Att i det internationella arbetet bekämpa diskriminering av religiösa minoritetsgrupper följer av detta, även om planens ansats är universell snarare än inriktad på en enskild grupp.
- freedom of religiondecisive»Alla ska ha rätt att utöva sin« (party programme ↗)“Everyone shall have the right to practise their”
- all discrimination shall be counteracted»ålder. Alla former av diskriminering ska motverkas.« (party programme ↗)“age. All forms of discrimination shall be counteracted.”
- protection for religious minorities»minoriteter inom EU, inte minst mot judar, muslimer och romer. EU måste få bättre verktyg att ta« (party programme ↗)“minorities within the EU, not least against Jews, Muslims and Roma. The EU must get better tools to take”
- human rights at the centre»Miljöpartiet de gröna sätter folkrätten och de« (party programme ↗)“The Green Party places international law and”
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 gives foreign and security policy the task of protecting universal human freedom and rights, and the election manifesto explicitly says no to restrictions on religious freedom and wants to strengthen protection for persons active in religious communities.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan gives foreign and security policy the task of protecting universal human freedom and rights, and the election manifesto explicitly says no to restrictions on religious freedom and wants to strengthen protection for persons active in religious communities. This supports particularly noting persecution of religious minorities in OSCE work. The conclusion is however derived, since the plan's principle is that discrimination should be counteracted in all its forms rather than for a singled-out group.
Original (Swedish)
Planen ger utrikes- och säkerhetspolitiken uppgiften att värna universella mänskliga fri- och rättigheter, och valmanifestet säger uttryckligen nej till inskränkningar av religionsfriheten och vill stärka skyddet för personer verksamma i religiösa samfund. Det ger stöd åt att särskilt uppmärksamma förföljelse av religiösa minoriteter i OSSE-arbetet. Slutsatsen är dock härledd, eftersom planens princip är att diskriminering ska motverkas i alla dess former snarare än för en utpekad grupp.
- human rights in foreign policydecisive»Utrikes- och säkerhetspolitiken syftar ytterst till att värna universella mänskliga fri- och rättigheter.« (party programme ↗)“Foreign and security policy ultimately aims to protect universal human freedom and rights.”
- protect religious freedom»Vi säger därför nej till visitationszoner, kollektiv bestraffning, omvänd bevisbörda, anonyma vittnen, preventiv avlyssning och inskränkningar av religionsfriheten.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We therefore say no to search zones, collective punishment, reversed burden of proof, anonymous witnesses, preventive surveillance and restrictions on religious freedom.”
- protection for religious communities»Vi ska stärka skyddet för personer verksamma bland annat i media, religiösa samfund och offentlig förvaltning.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We shall strengthen protection for persons active, among other things in media, religious communities and public administration.”
- counteract all discrimination»Diskriminering, strukturell rasism och intolerans, i alla dess former, ska motverkas.« (party programme ↗)“Discrimination, structural racism and intolerance, in all its forms, shall be counteracted.”
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 every person has the right to express their religious faith and that Sweden must do much more, both individually and in international cooperation, for freedoms and rights within a values-driven foreign policy.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that every person has the right to express their religious faith and that Sweden must do much more, both individually and in international cooperation, for freedoms and rights within a values-driven foreign policy. Specifically lifting discrimination of religious minorities within the OSCE falls within that commitment. The plan does not, however, mention the group and points instead to the fact that discrimination of all kinds must be combated.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att varje människa har rätt att uttrycka sin religiösa tro och att Sverige ska göra mycket mer, både enskilt och i internationella samarbeten, för fri- och rättigheter inom ramen för en värderingsstyrd utrikespolitik. Att inom OSSE särskilt lyfta diskriminering av religiösa minoriteter ryms i det åtagandet. Planen nämner dock inte gruppen och pekar samtidigt på att diskriminering av alla slag ska bekämpas.
- more for freedoms and rightsdecisive»Därför vill vi att Sverige gör mycket mer, både som enskilt land och inom internationella samarbeten, för fri- och rättigheter, frihandel, fria val och samarbete i den fria världen.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Therefore we want Sweden to do much more, both as a single country and in international cooperation, for freedoms and rights, free trade, free choice and cooperation in the free world.”
- freedom of religion»Varje människa har rätt att uttrycka sin religiösa tro och utöva sin religion i gemenskap,« (party programme ↗)“Every person has the right to express their religious faith and practice their religion in community,”
- values-driven foreign policy»Vi kallar det för vad det är: en ny värderingsstyrd utrikespolitik.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We call it what it is: a new values-driven foreign policy.”
- combat all discrimination»Därför ska staten med kraft bekämpa all slags rasism, diskriminering och intolerans.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Therefore the state must forcefully combat all forms of racism, discrimination and intolerance.”
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 makes work for human freedom and rights a main goal of foreign policy and establishes that the individual should be protected against violations in all cultures and religions.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme makes work for human freedom and rights a main goal of foreign policy and establishes that the individual should be protected against violations in all cultures and religions. Religious freedom is a self-evident human right. That the OSCE work particularly highlights persecuted Christians and other religious minorities follows from these commitments.
Original (Swedish)
Principprogrammet gör arbetet för mänskliga fri- och rättigheter till ett huvudmål för utrikespolitiken och slår fast att den enskilda människan ska värnas mot övergrepp i alla kulturer och religioner. Religionsfriheten är en självklar mänsklig rättighet. Att OSSE-arbetet särskilt uppmärksammar förföljda kristna och andra religiösa minoriteter följer av dessa åtaganden.
- HR as foreign policy main goaldecisive»Människovärdet ska stå i fokus och arbetet för att skydda och värna mänskliga fri- och rättigheter« (party programme ↗)“Human dignity shall be in focus and work to protect and advance human freedom and rights”
- protection regardless of religion»ska värnas mot övergrepp i alla olika kulturer och religioner i världen« (party programme ↗)“shall be protected against violations in all different cultures and religions in the world”
- religious freedom as right»religionsfrihet en självklar mänsklig rättighet« (party programme ↗)“religious freedom is a self-evident human right”
- OSCE as cooperation body»FN, EU, NATO och OSSE är exempel på« (party programme ↗)“UN, EU, NATO and OSCE are examples of”
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 promises to guard religious communities' security so everyone can practice their faith without feeling threatened, and to prioritize efforts for democracy and human rights in foreign policy.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto promises to guard religious communities' security so everyone can practice their faith without feeling threatened, and to prioritize efforts for democracy and human rights in foreign policy. Lifting persecution of religious minorities within OSCE follows from these commitments. At the same time, the party programme starts from the premise that rights belong to individuals, which makes group-specific prioritization less self-evident.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet lovar att slå vakt om trossamfundens säkerhet så att alla kan utöva sin tro utan att känna sig hotade, och att prioritera insatser för demokrati och mänskliga rättigheter i utrikespolitiken. Att lyfta förföljelse av religiösa minoriteter inom OSSE följer av dessa åtaganden. Samtidigt utgår idéprogrammet från att rättigheter tillhör individer, vilket gör en gruppspecifik prioritering mindre självklar.
- protection for religious practicedecisive»Slå vakt om trossamfundens säkerhet för alla ska kunna utöva sin tro utan att känna sig hotade« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Guard religious communities' security so everyone can practice their faith without feeling threatened”
- democracy and HR prioritized»Prioritera insatser som stödjer arbetet för demokrati och mänskliga rättigheter« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Prioritize measures that support work for democracy and human rights”
- strong voice for human rights»Sverige ska vara en stark röst för frihet, demokrati och« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall be a strong voice for freedom, democracy and”
- religious freedom's protection»Våra grundlagar ska ge ett oavvisligt skydd för« (party programme ↗)“Our constitutional laws shall provide undeniable protection for”
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 Sweden to be a clearer voice for human rights and freedoms in world politics and points out in particular how an aggressive Islamist influence pushes back rights in the outside world.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants Sweden to be a clearer voice for human rights and freedoms in world politics and points out in particular how an aggressive Islamist influence pushes back rights in the outside world. The party programme also gives Christianity a special position because of its history. Highlighting the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities within the OSCE's third dimension thus aligns with the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill att Sverige blir en tydligare röst för mänskliga fri- och rättigheter i världspolitiken och pekar särskilt ut hur ett aggressivt islamistiskt inflytande tränger tillbaka rättigheter i omvärlden. Partiprogrammet ger dessutom kristendomen en särställning i kraft av dess historia. Att lyfta förföljelsen av kristna och andra religiösa minoriteter inom OSSE:s tredje dimension ligger därför i linje med planen.
- clear voice for rightsdecisive»Sverige ska bli en tydligare röst för demokrati, yttrandefrihet och grundläggande mänskliga fri och rättigheter i världspolitiken.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden shall be a clearer voice for democracy, freedom of expression and fundamental human freedoms and rights in world politics.”
- Islamism threatens rights»Ett allt mer aggressivt islamistiskt inflytande i mellanöstern och Afrika innebär att risken för terrorism ökar i Sverige och att mänskliga rättigheter och respekten för kvinnor trycks tillbaka i världen.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“An increasingly aggressive Islamist influence in the Middle East and Africa means that the risk of terrorism increases in Sweden and that human rights and respect for women are pushed back in the world.”
- special position of Christianity»Kristendomen bör i kraft av sin historia tillåtas« (party programme ↗)“Christianity ought, because of its history, to be allowed”
- Western values»Vara en tydlig röst för den västerländska demokratimodellen och mänskliga fri- och rättigheter« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Be a clear voice for the Western democracy model and human rights and freedoms”
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2023/24:UU12)
- Committee report full text (HB01UU12)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2022/23:1745 — Internationellt stöd till utsatta kristna av Alexander Christiansson m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2022/23:53 — Hbtqi-frågor i världen av Lotta Johnsson Fornarve m.fl. (V)
- Framställning / redogörelse 2023/24:OSSE1 — OSSE:s svenska delegations redogörelse om verksamheten under 2023
- Regeringens skrivelse 2023/24:35 — Verksamheten inom Organisationen för säkerhet och samarbete i Europa (OSSE) under helåret 2022 och första halvåret 2023
Source: The Swedish Parliament