Published : 08-10-2024
Working Group | Sweden
The reporter of the Working Group in Sweden reported that dozens - if not hundreds - of Palestinian and Syrian families have migrated back from Sweden, citing fears of the Swedish authorities taking their children away. This comes after dozens of cases were recorded in previous years, which caused panic in Arab communities and among immigrant backgrounds.
The group's reporter added that families are heading to other European countries, especially Germany and Britain, or to Arab countries, particularly Egypt and the Gulf states, after the majority of them obtained Swedish citizenship, which facilitates their movement and eases the procedures for their residency in the new countries.
Testimonials
One of the refugees, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated that he left Sweden and migrated to Germany, where he currently lives near the capital, Berlin. This decision came after he experienced an incident with the social services, who attempted to investigate allegations of him having hit one of his children. After it was revealed that the allegations were false, he chose to migrate out of fear of a future where they might take his children away from him.
As for Abu Ahmed, he left Sweden and migrated to Egypt, where he lives in Alexandria. He told a group of workers that he is living in a state of calm and tranquility after his family's life turned into a nightmare, filled with anxiety and stress about the children at school, at the doctor, and anywhere they go.
Ayham, who lives in Sweden, accused the Swedish authorities of targeting Muslim children and focusing on them, as well as pursuing parents at the first mistake. He preferred to send his family to Lebanon to live there while he continues his work in Sweden, and from time to time he goes to Lebanon to visit them.
The issue of child removal has turned into a public concern in Sweden after families of immigrant backgrounds appeared in videos on social media, appealing to human rights and humanitarian organizations for support and solidarity. They are calling on the Swedish government and parliament to reconsider the decisions made by the Social Services Agency ("socialtjänsten") and its operational mechanisms.
It received mixed reactions among migrants and refugees who have recently arrived in Sweden, with some condemning the issue and downplaying its importance, claiming that the decisions are justified and in the best interest of the children. Others express their sympathy and solidarity with the families, accusing the social services organization of being arbitrary and hasty in its decisions to withdraw children, even going so far as to accuse some of its employees of corruption, racism, and abuse of power.
Decline in Growth
Sweden recorded a significant decrease in the population growth rate in 2024, according to the Swedish Statistics Authority. This is attributed to an unprecedented drop in birth rates, a decrease in the number of new immigrants to Sweden, and an increase in the number of immigrants leaving Sweden for other countries.
The Working Group issued a special report on the issue of the withdrawal of children from their families in Sweden, in an effort to clarify the facts, understand the merits and dimensions of this case and highlight it.
To download the full report the link is in the first comment
https://www.actionpal.org.uk/ar/reports/special/the_case_children.pdf
Working Group | Sweden
The reporter of the Working Group in Sweden reported that dozens - if not hundreds - of Palestinian and Syrian families have migrated back from Sweden, citing fears of the Swedish authorities taking their children away. This comes after dozens of cases were recorded in previous years, which caused panic in Arab communities and among immigrant backgrounds.
The group's reporter added that families are heading to other European countries, especially Germany and Britain, or to Arab countries, particularly Egypt and the Gulf states, after the majority of them obtained Swedish citizenship, which facilitates their movement and eases the procedures for their residency in the new countries.
Testimonials
One of the refugees, who preferred to remain anonymous, stated that he left Sweden and migrated to Germany, where he currently lives near the capital, Berlin. This decision came after he experienced an incident with the social services, who attempted to investigate allegations of him having hit one of his children. After it was revealed that the allegations were false, he chose to migrate out of fear of a future where they might take his children away from him.
As for Abu Ahmed, he left Sweden and migrated to Egypt, where he lives in Alexandria. He told a group of workers that he is living in a state of calm and tranquility after his family's life turned into a nightmare, filled with anxiety and stress about the children at school, at the doctor, and anywhere they go.
Ayham, who lives in Sweden, accused the Swedish authorities of targeting Muslim children and focusing on them, as well as pursuing parents at the first mistake. He preferred to send his family to Lebanon to live there while he continues his work in Sweden, and from time to time he goes to Lebanon to visit them.
The issue of child removal has turned into a public concern in Sweden after families of immigrant backgrounds appeared in videos on social media, appealing to human rights and humanitarian organizations for support and solidarity. They are calling on the Swedish government and parliament to reconsider the decisions made by the Social Services Agency ("socialtjänsten") and its operational mechanisms.
It received mixed reactions among migrants and refugees who have recently arrived in Sweden, with some condemning the issue and downplaying its importance, claiming that the decisions are justified and in the best interest of the children. Others express their sympathy and solidarity with the families, accusing the social services organization of being arbitrary and hasty in its decisions to withdraw children, even going so far as to accuse some of its employees of corruption, racism, and abuse of power.
Decline in Growth
Sweden recorded a significant decrease in the population growth rate in 2024, according to the Swedish Statistics Authority. This is attributed to an unprecedented drop in birth rates, a decrease in the number of new immigrants to Sweden, and an increase in the number of immigrants leaving Sweden for other countries.
The Working Group issued a special report on the issue of the withdrawal of children from their families in Sweden, in an effort to clarify the facts, understand the merits and dimensions of this case and highlight it.
To download the full report the link is in the first comment
https://www.actionpal.org.uk/ar/reports/special/the_case_children.pdf
