A couple of weeks ago, the Swedish Parliament approved the Tidö government’s proposal that, in the future, individuals with dual citizenship may lose their Swedish citizenship if they commit crimes considered to threaten Sweden’s most fundamental interests. According to the Equality Ombudsman (Diskrimineringsombudsmannen, DO), however, this goes too far.

The government has stated that this could concern, among other things, serious organized crime and other activities deemed to threaten society’s security or stability. Even though the proposal has passed Parliament, it will take time before it can become reality — since the change concerns the constitution, an additional parliamentary decision is required after this autumn’s election.

In its consultation response, the DO opposes the proposal, reasoning that it risks having “discriminatory effects and, furthermore, means excessively far-reaching restrictions on individual rights.” The agency also fears that those with dual citizenship may perceive that their citizenship has a weaker standing than those who only have Swedish citizenship. It is argued this could lead to a situation where there are two types of citizenship — one that is irrevocable and one with a weaker legal standing.

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At the same time, the agency admits that under exceptional circumstances there may be grounds to introduce the possibility to revoke citizenship, but given how the proposal is formulated, it is not judged justifiable to introduce a system where some citizens feel that their legal status as citizens is more uncertain than others’.

“When, in addition, there is a risk that differences in citizenship status may be perceived as linked to ethnic affiliation or origin, this also risks further reinforcing perceptions of inequality and exclusion,” the agency writes.

Not in the Child’s Best Interest

Another concern is that people with dual citizenship could effectively face harsher consequences than others for the same crime, since they risk, in addition to criminal penalties, also losing their Swedish citizenship. The DO also does not find the proposals to revoke the citizenship of children compatible with the principle of the best interests of the child.

– A granted citizenship should in all respects be regarded as a favorable decision for the individual, and therefore particularly high demands must be placed on ensuring that the introduction of the possibility to revoke such a decision is well prepared, thoroughly examined, and enacted in a legally secure and non-discriminatory way. In my view, that is not the case here, says Equality Ombudsman Lars Arrhenius.

READ ALSO: DO: No to Revoked Residence Permits