UN criticizes Sweden’s handling of child rights and family separations
The United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child has criticized Sweden, a country renowned for its child rights policies, over its handling of child removals and the exclusion of children’s voices in critical decisions affecting their lives.
The committee’s report highlighted issues such as failing to consider children’s opinions in decisions about custody, residence, or placement in foster care. It cited cases from the municipality of Söderhamn, where three children were placed with a foster family without being consulted, despite being old enough to express their views.
The report also addressed abuses within Sweden’s social care institutions, including social service centers, and the psychological harm caused to affected children, pointing out discrimination against migrant children and those exploited in criminal activities, further complicating the situation.
Swedish lawyer Lina Helsing, an expert in child cases, temporarily halted the decision to relocate the children in Söderhamn, stressing the importance of listening to them. A foster family member also emphasized that allowing children to voice their opinions ensures fair and appropriate decisions.
The UN committee recommended legislation guaranteeing children’s right to express their views independently of parents or guardians, particularly in cases involving custody or removal from their families.
In response, the Swedish government described the report as “highly important” and announced that the National Audit Office (Statskontoret) would launch a comprehensive investigation to evaluate child rights policies and ensure children’s participation in decisions about their future.
