Equality Ombudsman (Diskrimineringsombudsmannen, DO) (2022) Reporting of the assignment to develop knowledge about discrimination associated with religion or other beliefs, report, 1 December 2022

Country

Sweden

Title

Equality Ombudsman (Diskrimineringsombudsmannen, DO) (2022) Reporting of the assignment to develop knowledge about discrimination associated with religion or other beliefs (Redovisning av uppdrag att utveckla kunskap om diskriminering som har samband med religion eller annan trosuppfattning), report, 1 December 2022

View full Research

Year

2022

Type of publication

Report

Geographical coverage

National

Area/location of interest

Not applicable - national level

Type of Institution

Public authority

Institution

Sweden, Equality Ombudsman | Diskrimineringsombudsmannen, DO

Main Thematic Focus

Discrimination

Target Population

Religious minorities

Key findings

According to the report, discrimination associated with religion or other beliefs is a widespread social problem that occurs in all areas of society and affects individuals with different religions. This constitutes an obstacle to individuals' access to equal rights and opportunities. Individuals who are visibly connected to their religion, through for example wearing religious symbols or religious clothing, are subjected to various forms of violations, including discrimination. The study shows that discrimination against Muslims is extensive. Discrimination associated with religion or other beliefs also interacts with discrimination associated with ethnicity. In a sub-report on discrimination associated with religion or other beliefs submitted prior to this final report, DO stated that around 100 out of 250 complaints about discrimination associated with religion concerned discrimination related to Islam. According to DO, the actual number of reports on discrimination related to Islam is remarkably high.

Methodology (Qualitative/Quantitative and exact type used, questionnaires etc)

The study employs a qualitative and a quantitative approach. The Equality Ombudsman has analysed complaints submitted to the authority about discrimination associated with religion or other beliefs. The authority has also conducted dialogue meetings with representatives of more than 50 faith communities and CSOs; reviewed judgments, supervisory decisions and settlements concerning discrimination associated with religion or other beliefs; and reviewed and compiled relevant research and conducted dialogue meetings with the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention and the Swedish Agency for Support to Faith Communities.

Sample details and representativeness

The quantitative analysis is based on the complaints about discrimination associated with religion or other beliefs received by the authority during 2015-2021, in total 1,293 complaints.

DISCLAIMERThe information presented here is collected under contract by the FRA's research network FRANET. The information and views contained do not necessarily reflect the views or the official position of the FRA.