Fundamental freedoms and rights

All Swedish citizens have the same fundamental freedoms and rights, irrespective of age, sex or origin. The protection of freedoms and rights is embodied above all in the Instrument of Government, in which it is laid down that public power shall be exercised with respect for the equal worth of all and the liberty and dignity of the private person.

The Instrument of Government is a fundamental law and hence cannot easily be amended. It can only be amended or abrogated by the Riksdag passing identically worded resolutions to this effect on two different occasions, separated by a general election. The Instrument of Government guarantees inter alia citizens right to freely seek information, hold demonstrations, form political parties and practise their religion. With the exception of freedom of religion, these freedoms and rights may under certain circumstances be restricted.

Our fundamental freedoms and rights are among others:

1. Freedom of expression: the freedom to communicate information and express ideas, opinions and sentiments whether orally, pictorially, in writing or in some other way
2. Freedom of information: the freedom to procure and receive information and otherwise to acquaint oneself with the utterances of others
3. Freedom of assembly: the freedom to organise or attend a meeting for the purposes of information or for the expression of opinion or for any other similar purpose, or for the purpose of presenting artistic work
4. Freedom to demonstrate: freedom to organise or take part in a demonstration in a public place
5. Freedom of association: the freedom to associate with others for public or private purposes
6. Freedom of worship: the freedom to practise ones religion either alone or in the company of others

(Chapter 2 Article 1, the Instrument of Government)

The Instrument of Government also provides protection against any coercion to divulge our political, religious or cultural views and lay down that capital punishment, corporal punishment and torture are prohibited. Most rules concerning freedoms and rights also apply to foreign citizens.

At the international level, Sweden has signed most agreements on human rights: inter alia the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, both from 1966. Sweden has also signed several regional conventions on human rights, inter alia the Council of Europe's Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms from 1950. The Convention has been part of Swedish law since 1995. A statute has been included in the Instrument of Government that states that laws and other regulations may not be enacted in contravention of Sweden's commitments under the Convention.

Read more about human rights on the Swedish Government's Human Rights website.