Sami family with reindeer, Jukkasjärvi, Lappland, Sweden

Norway, Finland and Sweden have long had a bad reputation at the UN for systematic violations of the rights of the Sámi, the country’s indigenous people living in their northern provinces. Most often, this manifests itself in crimes against the person, including physical violence and death threats, damage to property, maiming and killing of Sámi reindeer, and in everyday racism, including social media with its hate speech directed against the Sámi.

Read exclusive articles by the Arctic Century on the topic:

• Sámi Truth and Reconciliation Commission Continues Its Work
• A Small Step in Confronting Discrimination Against Sámi People in Sweden
• Hate Crimes Against Swedish Sámi Revealed In A New Brå Report
• A New Overview On Discrimination Against the Sámi

The Swedish government does a poor job of registering crimes committed against the Sámi and constantly changes the authorities authorized to combat racism. Another administrative reform in this area is currently underway.

The Swedish government is now taking action against hatred and threats against the Sámi.

This comes just a few months after a comprehensive report from Umeå University showed that six out of ten young Sámi have experienced discrimination or racism.

Now the Agency for Youth and Civil Society Affairs is being tasked with implementing initiatives to counter racism.

No one in Sweden should have to hide who they are to avoid hatred and threats, says Minister for Gender Equality and Working Life Nina Larsson.

At the end of May, the government decided that responsibility for minority policy, which currently lies with the County Administrative Board in Stockholm County, will be taken over by the Agency for Youth and Civil Society Affairs.

Now the agency is being tasked by the government to implement initiatives to prevent and counter racism against the Sámi, with a focus on young people.

This comes just a few months after a comprehensive report from Umeå University showed that six out of ten young Sámi have experienced discrimination or racism.

The assignment will focus on awareness-raising efforts aimed at municipalities and regions about the culture, history and rights of the Sámi people as indigenous people, as well as how racism against the Sámi can manifest itself and affect the living conditions of the Sámi.

It is very serious that the fear of racism and hate crimes forces some Sámi to hide their identity. No one in Sweden should have to hide who they are in order to avoid hatred and threats. Therefore, the government is now strengthening its work against racism—with efforts that focus on young people, says Minister for Gender Equality and Working Life Nina Larsson (L) in a press release.

The agency will carry out the assignment in consultation with the Children’s Ombudsman, the Living History Forum, the Sámi Parliament, representatives of Sámi youth and Sámi organizations.

The assignment will be partially reported no later than 1 March 2027, with a final report no later than 1 March 2028.

Source: SVT (in Swedish)