Sweden should strengthen dialogue with religious communities

Sweden should strengthen dialogue with religious communities to combat religious intolerance, urges UN rapporteur Nazila Ghanea as a result of the recent repeated Koran burnings.

Nazila Ghanea, who is the UN’s special rapporteur on matters of religious freedom, has visited Sweden for ten days. The visit is a consequence of the UN Human Rights Council in a resolution in July condemning Koran burnings as offensive and provocative. Among other things, she has met representatives of the government, authorities such as the police and institutions at various levels in Sweden.

Historically speaking, Sweden is a homogenous, secular society where religion is seen as a private matter, she states. But with migration, this has changed and there is now greater religious diversity in Swedish society, according to the UN rapporteur.

“Vigilance is required when it comes to intolerance and discrimination against religion or beliefs within society. Harassment, discrimination and threats in society must not go unnoticed,” reads a statement from Ghana according to the UN human rights agency OHCHR.

The recent “challenges” have made the Swedish authorities realize that part of the solution may be to extend a hand to the faith communities, she believes.

Ghanea will present a full report from her visit to Sweden before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in March.