Sweden's Controversial 'Snitch Law' Immigration Proposal Sparks Outcry

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In Sweden, a proposed law that could compel public sector workers to report undocumented individuals to authorities has ignited intense debate and concern across the country. This proposal, often referred to as the "snitch law," has drawn significant criticism from a broad spectrum of society, including doctors, social workers, librarians, and various professional associations. Many argue that the law is "utterly inhumane" and warn that it could have severe repercussions on the trust and solidarity within Swedish society.

 

The origins of this contentious proposal can be traced back to a 2022 agreement between four right-wing political parties in Sweden. This agreement laid the groundwork for a coalition government that includes three center-right parties, with parliamentary backing from the far-right, anti-immigration Sweden Democrats (SD). The SD, whose manifesto advocates for one of Europe's most hostile environments for non-Europeans, became Sweden's second-largest party nearly two years ago. Since then, efforts have been underway to transform this proposal into law, with a government-appointed committee tasked with drafting the necessary legislation. The committee is expected to present its findings by the end of November, setting the stage for a potential legal battle over the controversial measure.

 

If implemented, the "snitch law" could affect up to a million public sector workers, ranging from dentists to teachers, who would be legally obligated to report any interactions with undocumented patients, students, or individuals to the authorities. This prospect has already sparked widespread opposition from rights campaigners and professional associations, who fear that the law would erode the trust they have worked to build with their communities.

 

Michele LeVoy, from the Platform for International Cooperation on Undocumented Migrants, strongly criticized the proposal, describing it as "utterly inhumane." LeVoy expressed concerns that the law could lead to people avoiding essential services out of fear of being reported. "People will be, in a sense, terrified. Why would anyone want to go somewhere when they know that the main thing that will happen is not that they can get care, not that they can go to school, not that they can go to the library—they’ll just be turned in," she remarked. The potential consequences of such a law are vast, with fears that it could discourage undocumented individuals from seeking education, healthcare, or even reporting crimes committed against them.

 

Professional associations have echoed these concerns, warning that the proposal could exacerbate racism and stigmatization in society. LeVoy pointed out that this proposal is part of a broader trend across Europe to criminalize solidarity with undocumented people. She noted that similar measures are being considered in Finland, and that in Germany, social welfare offices have struggled with reporting obligations for two decades. LeVoy also drew parallels to the "hostile environment" policies introduced in the UK by Theresa May in 2012, which aimed to restrict access to work, benefits, and essential services for those unable to prove their legal right to reside in the country.

 

These policies were later criticized for misclassifying legal residents as immigration offenders, leading to widespread suffering and fear.

If Sweden's proposal were to become law, the country could face similar consequences. LeVoy warned that "everywhere where obligations to denounce undocumented people have been applied, the result has been more discrimination, suffering, and fear." This sentiment is shared by many in Sweden, including Jacob Lind, a postdoctoral researcher in international migration at Malmö University. Lind argued that the proposal is unlikely to reduce the number of undocumented individuals in the country. "A lot of people are not going to leave," he said. "They’re just going to end up in further misery. You’ll end up with the opposite effect; society will have even less contact with people who are in this situation, further increasing their vulnerability and making them even more exploitable."

 

The broad-based opposition to the "snitch law" is evident, with more than 150 Swedish regions, municipalities, trade unions, and civil society groups publicly condemning the proposal as of December 2023. "There’s a unique alliance right now around this issue and it’s become a key issue," said Lind. Among the vocal opponents is the Swedish Medical Association (SMA). "I became a doctor to help people, not monitor and report them," declared Sofia Rydgren Stale, the SMA chair. The association has consistently argued that reporting requirements would violate the professional ethics that guide their work, particularly the principles that mandate providing care as needed and ensuring that patients are not discriminated against. Rydgren Stale expressed concern that the law would deter people from seeking necessary medical care for fear of being reported.

 

The Swedish government, however, has defended the proposal. The committee responsible for exploring the law has been instructed to consider whether the reporting obligations might conflict with professional values, particularly in healthcare. "To ensure that the regulation is legally sound and does not result in unreasonable consequences for individuals, certain situations may need to be exempted from the duty to provide information," said Maria Malmer Stenergard, Sweden's minister of migration. She argued that the reporting requirements are essential for supporting legal migration by facilitating the deportation of individuals who are denied asylum. "Unfortunately, many remain and become part of a growing shadow society," she said. "In such situations the duty to provide information helps in upholding government decisions and does not erode trust, quite the contrary."

 

Despite these reassurances, concerns continue to mount. In May, the professional ethics council established by two Swedish unions representing teachers warned that the obligation to report would place educators in an impossible ethical position. "If the proposal were to become reality, it could lead to such serious ethical problems for teachers that our conclusion is that civil disobedience would probably be the only reasonable way out," the council stated on its website.

 

The proposal has also faced strong opposition from librarians. Anna Troberg, of the trade union DIK, noted that more than 90% of librarians are against the law. "Many say they would rather lose their jobs than report those in need," she said. Troberg asserted that if the Swedish government proceeds with this law, librarians will be on the "right side of history," framing the issue as one of trust, humanity, and democracy.

 

Credit: The Guardian  2024-08-13

 

 

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