In the vast majority of cases, the Swedish government uses so-called silent diplomacy.
The most noted cases are the Swedish-Eritrean journalist Dawit Isaak, who for over 20 years was imprisoned in Eritrea without trial. But also the publisher and author Gui Minhai – who was similarly imprisoned in China for eight years.
Criticism of inactivity
It recently became public knowledge that the Swedish EU official Johan Floderus was imprisoned in Iran for over 500 days and once again the diplomacy takes place in unofficial, low-key conversations – something that often meets with great criticism.
– Sometimes quiet diplomacy is criticized for being a sign of inactivity. The fact that it is quiet does not in any way mean a lack of activity. There are lots of activities behind the scenes, says Jakob Hallgren, director at the Foreign Policy Institute.
But for example Dawit Isaak, how can it take so long?
– There must be some form of fundamental interest from the other side to negotiate. And if it doesn’t, then it’s hard to make progress. Dawit Isaak is a very sad example of that. This does not mean that we cannot come to a solution in the future. Sometimes it can be the case that a very locked situation feels good to rest from the media spotlight.
Quiet diplomacy is not the only negotiation strategy – hear Jakob Hallgren about the diplomatic game in the clip above.