General matters concerning human rights and democracy

The plan wants Sweden to be a steady voice for human rights and to be able to act independently towards great powers such as the USA, China and Russia. It is based on a well-functioning justice system with independent courts and legal certainty as fundamental values. To end a legal cooperation agreement with a jurisdiction whose justice system can no longer be considered free, and to continue supporting the democracy movement there, follows from these principles.

• voice for human rightsdecisive»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”
• independent courts»Samhället behöver ett väl fungerande rättsväsende, med självständiga« (party programme ↗)“Society needs a well-functioning justice system with independent”
• independence from great powers»Det är viktigt att Sverige kan agera självständigt från stormakter som« (party programme ↗)“It is important that Sweden can act independently from great powers such as”
• international law through the UN»FN:s ställning i världen är av central betydelse för små länder som« (party programme ↗)“The UN's position in the world is of central importance to small countries such as”

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 makes the defence of rule-of-law principles, equality before the law and human rights core parts of politics, and sees itself as a counterforce against authoritarian currents that silence criticism. A legal cooperation agreement with a jurisdiction whose legal system can no longer be considered free or legally sound conflicts with that, just as support for a democracy movement follows from it. The plan therefore speaks for the counter-proposal's demands.

• rule of law principlesdecisive»Slå vakt om rättsstatens principer.« (party programme ↗)“Safeguard the principles of the rule of law.”
• human rights and democracy»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.”
• equality before the law»En rättsordning som bygger på allas likhet inför lagen.« (party programme ↗)“A legal order that is based on all being equal before the law.”
• rules-based world order»Försvar för folkrätten och en regelbaserad världsordning.« (party programme ↗)“Defence of international humanitarian law and a rules-based world order.”

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 should always support people's striving for freedom and self-determination and defend a world order based on international law, and that courts' independence is fundamental. To terminate a legal cooperation agreement with a jurisdiction whose justice system is no longer free, while simultaneously continuing to support the democracy movement there, follows from these principles. The plan does not mention the specific agreement, so the position is inferred.

• support for democracy movementsdecisive»Vi kommer alltid att stötta människors strävan efter frihet och självbestämmande.« (party programme ↗)“We will always support people's striving for freedom and self-determination.”
• defense of international law»Här har Sverige en oerhört viktig roll att spela genom att vara en försvarare av en världsordning baserad på folkrätten.« (party programme ↗)“Here Sweden has an extremely important role to play as a defender of a world order based on international law.”
• independent courts»Akademisk frihet, oberoende domstolar och konstnärlig frihet är grundläggande för en stark demokrati.« (party programme ↗)“Academic freedom, independent courts and artistic freedom are fundamental to a strong democracy.”
• consequences for human rights violations»Länder som inte lever upp till krav på demokrati och mänskliga rättigheter ska kunna få sanktioner riktade mot sig, exempelvis genom indragna EU-stöd, förlorad rösträtt i ministerrådet eller, i sista hand, uteslutas ur EU.« (party programme ↗)“Countries that do not live up to requirements for democracy and human rights should be able to receive sanctions directed at them, for example through withdrawn EU support, lost voting rights in the ministerial council or, as a last resort, exclusion from the EU.”

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 describes the struggle between liberal democracy and authoritarian forces as a struggle that must be won, and the party programme makes the protection of universal human rights and freedoms the ultimate purpose of foreign policy. To continue supporting a democracy movement and end legal cooperation with a jurisdiction whose justice system is no longer free follows from that commitment. Independent courts and equality before the law are the plan's basic principles.

• stand up to authoritarian forcesdecisive»Runtom i världen pågår en kamp mellan anhängare av den liberala demokratin och auktoritära krafter. Den måste vi vinna.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Around the world a struggle is taking place between supporters of liberal democracy and authoritarian forces. We must win it.”
• HR as foreign policy goal»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 rights and freedoms.”
• do not compromise with ideals»inte kompromissar med våra ideal utan förenas i en strävan efter alla människors fri- och rättigheter« (party programme ↗)“not compromising with our ideals but united in a pursuit of everyone's rights and freedoms”
• independent courts and rule of law»oberoende domstolar, äganderätten, den fria pressen, likheten inför lagen« (2022 manifesto ↗)“independent courts, property rights, free press, equality before the law”

The party programme makes Sweden a voice for global freedom that supports those working for democratization of the world's dictatorships, and particularly points out China. Continuing to support a local democracy movement and ending a legal cooperation agreement with a jurisdiction whose judiciary is no longer independent follows from the value-driven foreign policy. The election manifesto explicitly warns against naivety towards Chinese power politics.

• support for democracy movementsdecisive»Sverige ska vara en röst för global frihet och ge stöd åt de modiga människor som verkar för demokratisering av världens återstående diktaturer.« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall be a voice for global freedom and support the courageous people working for democratization of the world's remaining dictatorships.”
• democratization of China»Ingen enskild händelse skulle bidra lika mycket till ökad frihet som om Kina skulle demokratiseras.« (party programme ↗)“No single event would contribute as much to increased freedom as if China were to be democratized.”
• no naivety towards China»Handels- och främjandepolitiken ska stärka Sverige som aktör för en friare värld och dra nytta av frihandelns fördelar utan den naivitet som alltför länge uppvisats för kinesisk och rysk maktpolitik.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Trade and promotion policy shall strengthen Sweden as an actor for a freer world and take advantage of the benefits of free trade without the naivety that has been shown too long towards Chinese and Russian power politics.”
• value-driven foreign policy»Vi kallar det för vad det är: en ny värderingsstyrd utrikespolitik.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We call it what it is: a new value-driven foreign policy.”

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 makes the promotion of human rights and democracy a principal goal and explicitly accepts boycott and sanctions as a last resort when positive means are insufficient. A legal system that is no longer free and independent does not meet the plan's requirements for procedurally fair handling, which justifies ending the legal cooperation agreement. Support for a local democracy movement follows from the plan's view of civil society.

• sanctions as last resortdecisive»Som en sista utväg kan bojkott och sanktioner bli aktuella.« (party programme ↗)“As a last resort, boycott and sanctions may become relevant.”
• independent courts»oberoende från statsmakterna och handlägga mål och ärenden på ett rättssäkert« (party programme ↗)“independent from state powers and handle cases and matters in a procedurally fair manner”
• human rights as foreign policy goal»främja mänskliga rättigheter och demokrati« (party programme ↗)“promote human rights and democracy”
• support for civil society»Ett vitalt civilt samhälle är av största vikt för en levande demokrati« (party programme ↗)“A vital civil society is of the utmost importance for a living democracy”

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 states that large authoritarian countries must not be able to play off individual Western democracies against each other and that democracy rests on real separation of powers and the independence of the courts, and the election manifesto prioritizes efforts for democracy and human rights. Ending a legal cooperation with a jurisdiction whose courts are no longer independent follows from these principles. The plan does not, however, address the individual agreement, which is why the conclusion is derived.

• resist authoritarian statesdecisive»Stora auktoritära länder ska inte kunna spela ut enskilda små västerländska demokratier mot varandra.« (party programme ↗)“Large authoritarian countries must not be able to play off individual small Western democracies against each other.”
• independence of courts»Vår demokrati bygger på vår förmåga att slå vakt om grundlagarna, medborgarnas fri- och rättigheter, verklig maktdelning och våra domstolars oberoende.« (party programme ↗)“Our democracy is based on our ability to uphold the constitution, citizens' freedoms and rights, real separation of powers and the independence of our courts.”
• democracy and human rights»Prioritera insatser som stödjer arbetet för demokrati och mänskliga rättigheter« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Prioritize efforts supporting the work for democracy and human rights”
• Swedish interests guide policyweak support»Svensk utrikespolitik ska värna svenska intressen.« (party programme ↗)“Swedish foreign policy shall safeguard Swedish interests.”

flags: citat_svagt

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 clearly mark against violations of fundamental freedoms and rights and work for sanctions against countries with negative development. Ending a legal cooperation agreement with a jurisdiction whose justice system is no longer free is such a marking, and the plan is particularly vigilant against Chinese expansion. The party programme also establishes that anti-democratic movements should be combated and popular sovereignty defended.

• mark against authoritarian statesdecisive»Sverige bör verka för tydliga sanktioner mot Turkiet, Belarus, Ryssland och andra länder med en negativ utveckling.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden should work for clear sanctions against Turkey, Belarus, Russia and other countries with negative development.”
• voice for democracy»Vara en tydlig röst för den västerländska demokratimodellen och mänskliga fri- och rättigheter« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Be a clear voice for the Western democratic model and human freedoms and rights”
• vigilance against China»En tydlig Arktispolitik ska tas fram som hindrar ryska och kinesiska framflyttningar och bejakar svenska ekonomiska intressen.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“A clear Arctic policy should be developed that prevents Russian and Chinese expansion and affirms Swedish economic interests.”
• against anti-democratic forces»Vi bekämpar alla rörelser och idéer som vilar på antidemokratisk grund« (party programme ↗)“We combat all movements and ideas that rest on anti-democratic foundations”

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.