This report explores why Sweden, a country widely recognized for its commitment to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, has become one of the most frequent subjects of complaints submitted to the United Nations Committee Against Torture (CAT).
These complaints do not concern acts of torture taking place within Sweden. Instead, they involve situations where Swedish authorities have ordered the deportation of asylum seekers who state they face a real risk of torture if returned to their countries of origin. In such cases, Sweden may be found in violation of Article 3 of the UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT), which prohibits the return or expulsion of individuals to states where they are at risk of being subjected to torture.
Between July 2021 and November 2024, Sweden accounted for a disproportionately high number of individual complaints submitted to the CAT. This report examines whether this high volume of cases reflects deficiencies in how Sweden fulfills its obligations under the Convention, whether the violations point to deeper structural issues, or whether the numbers instead reflect a functioning legal system where individuals are able to access international legal mechanisms for protection.
To read the full content please click here.