DO says no to revoked residence permits

A government inquiry proposes a new special law that would make it possible to convert permanent residence permits into temporary ones for certain groups. Although the purpose is to encourage more people to apply for Swedish citizenship, the proposal faces strong opposition from several actors.

It is proposed that permanent residence permits could be converted to temporary ones for groups such as those in need of protection, quota refugees, and certain relatives. The reasoning is that permanent residence has in practice long been seen as an end goal rather than a step towards full citizenship, and according to the inquiry, this risks weakening both integration and long-term social cohesion.

A few weeks ago, Samnytt reported that the Church of Sweden opposes the proposal, arguing that tens of thousands of people risk being thrown into legal uncertainty. They paint a picture of families being split up, children suffering from mental health problems, and people losing trust in the state.

Now the Equality Ombudsman, DO, has also said no. According to DO, the proposal involves “significant risks of discrimination and obstacles to access to equal rights and opportunities for many groups in society.” It is also stated that the proposal “risks discriminating, among others, against women, children and youth, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and persons with certain ethnic backgrounds,” and also risks “contravening the principle of the child’s best interests.”

“I also see it as highly problematic, as the inquiry does, to equate ‘asylum immigration’ with so-called ‘integration problems’ such as unemployment, dependence on welfare, crime, honor-related violence and oppression, and the emergence of parallel societies,” says Discrimination Ombudsman Lars Arrhenius in a comment.

Photo: BeenAroundAWhile at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0

Increased risk of discrimination

The agency also refers to the Council of Europe’s Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), which criticizes Sweden for equating immigration with various social problems.

“It is extremely important that all public representatives, including government inquiries, uphold human rights and distance themselves from statements that may lead to an increase in discrimination and a decline in trust between people and in society’s institutions,” says Lars Arrhenius.

DO also says no regarding the inquiry into tougher conditions for family immigration.

“According to DO, the proposals increase the risk of discrimination,” it writes, among other things.

More no’s

In recent days, objections have also come from Save the Children, Swedish City Missions, SALAR, and JK (Chancellor of Justice).

“Of course we also want more people to become Swedish citizens. But we do not believe the way forward is to revoke permanent residence permits. This is about children, adults and families – residents in our municipalities – who have established themselves in Sweden. Revoking their residence permits creates anxiety in society,” says Anders Henriksson, chair of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR).

“This is about employees, colleagues, and friends who risk not being allowed to remain in the country, and many who could become citizens. We need more people wanting to contribute to welfare, not fewer.”