Sweden - 2012
Is there evidence of forced heatlhcare/intervention practices to minorities?
- Code:
- RED89
- Key Area:
- Health And Social Protection
- Strand(s):
- Racism, Discrimination
| Short Answer |
Yes. Historically Sweden has practiced forced heatlhcare/intervention practices such as e.g. sterilisation to minorities. This is documented as ongoing between 1934 and 1975. Today there are cases of sterilisation and forced health care interventions practiced on migrants.
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| Qualitative Info |
A ten year old Somali girl was subjected to forced gynecological examination after suspicion that her parents had genital mutilated her. The Social Services Committee reported the parents to the Police after a complaint by a district nurse. The girl was picked up by the police from school to undergo the forced gynecological examination. The Equality Ombudsman sued the municipality for allowing such an intrusion in the girls privacy, based on just suspicion. DO argued that the suspicions and the entire investigation was based on ethnic prejudice. The district court shared DO's view, ruling the municipality to pay 60 000 SEK (6,000 euros) in damages to the family. The municipality appealed against the court decision, but the leave to appeal was rejected, therefore, the district court's ruling is final. [1]
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| Groups affected/interested | Migrants, Africans/black people, National minorities |
| Type (R/D) | Islamophobia, Afrophobia, Anti-roma/ romaphobia |
| Key socio-economic / Institutional Areas | Health and social protection |
| External Url | www.do.se |
| Situation(s) |
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| Library |
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