Programme

The “third wave of autocratization” has been unfolding for the last 25 years and has reached the United States – one of the major strongholds of democracy in the world. This trend constitutes a game changer for external democracy promotion. Target countries increasingly resist democracy promotion, and the model of liberal democracy is being questioned. This panel discusses how the wave of autocratization affects international democracy promotion efforts, and what can be done to protect democracy worldwide.

Participatory rights for the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment refer to access to information, public participation in decision-making, and access to justice in environmental matters. Currently participatory rights for the environment are challenged across Europe. This panel will highlight the importance of participatory rights, how they are challenged, and how, by using them, the public may contribute to a better environment.

During recent years the repression against russians speaking up against the regime and the war in Ukraine has increased dramatically. To voice a critical opinion in todays Russia means taking great risks at the same time that it seems rather unlikely that a lasting positive change will take place in the near future. Despite that, the russian democracy movement continues its stubborn fight for human rights to be respected in Russia. In this mini-seminar, Vika Privalova of the Feminist anti-war resistance (FAR) shares her  experiences of fighting for another Russia to be possible. What is needed to establish a lasting change in Russia and how do the russian human rights movement work to achive this change?

This panel explores the growing interconnection between anti-democratic movements and increasing militarisation, with a particular focus on how these dynamics target young men and boys.

The seminar highlights how Muslim humanitarian organisations in the Western world have become targets of disinformation campaigns and political manipulation. By examining the growing threats from think tanks, political networks and media platforms, the discussion explores how the shrinking civil society space affects the ability of Muslim actors to operate freely.The seminari present insights from a new report: Mapping Anti-Muslim Discrimination and Information Manipulation, and its Impact on Humanitarian Aid and Development. The full report is available here: Fitzgerald-WhitePaper_update-full.pdf

New tech, AI, and drones are being developed and used in our societies at record speed - including in war and conflict. In Ukraine, new drones with varying degrees of autonomy, are being developed and tested in the battlefield in real time. At the same time, there is growing concern about the need for regulation of AI weapons – multilateral discussions have been taking place for a decade, but time is running out. The UN Secretary-General has set 2026 as the target year for a new ban on autonomous weapons to be in place. What are the key issues? What are the real problems with AI and autonomy in weapons? And will the world succeed - before it’s too late? 

In 2020 Mary Lawlor took up the mandate as UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders. and have focused on challenges faced by child and youth human rights’ defenders as well as climate change activists. Her upcoming and final report to the Human Rights Council takes a wider approach as it will describe how human rights’ defenders respond to the current and unprecedented threat to the international human rights’ system. Mary Lawlor wants to bring the voices of the Human Rights defenders of the world straight to the state representatives in the Council. Her presentation will be followed by questions from and dialogue with the audience and Swedish human rights defenders.

In war, everyone loses. Even those who survive. Many soldiers come home with trauma they can’t talk about – but they can drink. In many places, alcohol becomes the way to cope. And the consequences hit not just men, but also women and children too. Based on new findings from Ukraine, Bosnia and beyond – we ask: what happens after war? And could it happen here?

In a world marked by conflict and repression, culture and creativity play a vital role in defending human rights and promoting democratic values.This discussion highlights how artistic and media-based initiatives, supported by the Swedish Institute, serve both as forms of resilience and as instruments of international engagement.By sharing experiences from the Swedish Institute’s partnership and exchange programmes across national borders including Ukraine, Georgia, Western Balkan and Iraq the panel will explore how international collaboration within the cultural and media sectors can foster democracy and human rights. The conversation will also provide insights into how the Swedish Institute’s support structures enable and strengthen these initiatives.

Academic freedom is a cornerstone of democratic societies and a prerequisite for defending human rights. In this mini-seminar, we discuss how threats to scholars and universities around the world impact democracy, with examples from Southeast Asia. We also highlight how Swedish universities, through the Scholars at Risk network, provide refuge for scholars in exile and thereby help safeguard academic freedom and democratic values.

Can the Swedish private sector play a role in building climate resilient and peaceful societies globally? This session explores how private, public and civil society sectors can and must collaborate to create more resilience to climate and societal instability in order to reach Sweden's development goals and trade ambitions. 

The Lundin War Crimes Case is coming to an end – What Will Happen?
At the time of the Human Rights Days, only two months of witness and expert hearings remain, followed by two months of pleadings. What will the court decide? Has the prosecution proved a crime or is it, as the defence says, a fantasy in the prosecutor's head? And what will happen to the victims' claims for remedy and reparation?

Self-identity is a human right. A notable example involves many overseas Taiwanese being labeled as Chinese, or Taiwan as a province of People's republic of China, in nationality or tax records due to the political “One China Principle.” Such administrative actions, though seemingly routine, can place individuals at risk of authoritarian targeting. Mr. Lee Ming-che(李明哲) exemplifies the human impact of transnational repression. Imprisoned in China from 2017 to 2022 on charges of “subversion of state power,” he has since returned to Taiwan and actively engaged with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to promote democracy and human rights. His experience underscores the direct consequences of authoritarian cross-border actions and highlights the importance of international advocacy for democratic values.

Sweden is undergoing a significant shift in its development cooperation, with irregular migration and return gaining increased prominence. What can we learn from countries that have taken similar steps? Drawing on a forthcoming anthology, this session presents lessons from Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, and Germany. After a brief introduction, one chapter author shares national experiences, followed by a panel discussion with representatives from Sida and the Swedish Migration Agency.

The panel will explore how governments can fulfill their human rights obligations in disaster prevention, emphasizing infrastructure, early warning systems, and effective communication. It will also address the importance of international cooperation and financial support for developing nations, assessing states' obligations in disaster preparedness. The discussion will integrate foresight methodologies to enhance resilience and preparedness for future human rights challenges.

30 years have passed since one of the world's most serious violations of international law was committed in Srebrenica, 30 years of darkness and political uncertainty. Colored by revisionism, hostile political rhetoric and an uncertain future for Europe. Once again, darkness has descended on Europe. How do we ensure international peace and security based on concepts of denial, political power and ethnic antagonism? How do we approach peace, justice and reconciliation in our modern states and how do we move forward?

The Crimean peninsula in southern Ukraine became the starting point of Russia’s aggression in 2014. It is the place where major human rights violations began — from political persecutions and kidnappings to the abduction of children. This picturesque region, home to the Indigenous peoples of Ukraine, including the largest of them, Crimean Tatars, has turned into a territory where they can no longer live freely due to the ongoing Russian occupation and targeted persecutions of these Sunni Muslim people.

The environment and climate crisis is a global children’s rights crisis. The UN recognized children’s right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment in 2023, in a document called General comment 26.  This document puts green lenses to interpret States’ obligations under the UN convention on the rights of the Child.  What does it say and what does this mean for us and our governments? How we can we use it Sweden?  

All over the world, young human rights defenders are constantly facing a number of barriers, such as harmful media discourse, few financial resources and limited freedom of expression. During recent years, young Swedes have sued the state for climate inaction, raised awareness of the Gaza war and advocated rights for the Indigenous Sami people. What are the motivations behind their commitment and their movements’ strategies despite structural challenges?