Equality Ombudsman
SWEDEN: Equality Ombudsman
- Overview
The Equality Ombudsman is an independent Government agency established on 1 January 2009. The Ombudsman’s tasks include the supervision of compliance with the Discrimination Act and the promotion of equal rights and opportunities regardless of sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation or age.
- Brief history
The Equality Ombudsman – and independent government agency - was formed on 1 January 2009 when four previously existing anti-discrimination ombudsmen were merged into a new body. The Ombudsman was established by an Act of Parliament (Discrimination Act (2008:567)).
As set out in the Act (2008:568) concerning the Equality Ombudsman, the Ombudsman shall
• Supervise compliance with the Discrimination Act. To this end, the Ombudsman may, inter alia, receive and consider complaints from individuals asserting that they have been the victims of discrimination. Following such an investigation the Equality Ombudsman may bring a legal action for damages on behalf of the individual concerned.
• Work to ensure that discrimination associated with sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation or age does not occur in any areas of the life of Swedish Society.
• Work in other respects to promote equal rights and opportunities regardless of sex, transgender identity or expression, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability, sexual orientation or age.
More specifically, the statutory responsibilities of the Equality Ombudsman include the provision of advice and other support so as to help enable anyone who has been subjected to discrimination to claim their rights. Within its sphere of competence, the Equality Ombudsman shall further
• Inform, educate, discuss and have other contacts with government agencies, enterprises, individuals and organizations.
• Follow international developments and have contacts with international organizations.
• Follow research and development work.
• Propose legislative amendments and other anti-discrimination measures to the Government.
• Initiate other appropriate measures.- Mandate type
- Predominantly promotion-type and legal support body
- Litigation powers
- Representing in front of courts
- Bringing proceedings in own name
- Formally deciding on complaints (e.g. decision or recommendation addressed to the parties) Not legally binding
- Activities
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Activities aimed at supporting vulnerable groups (e.g. through trainings) yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes no Activities aimed at supporting duty bearers such as employers and service providers (e.g. through trainings, guidance material, practical support, etc.) yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes no Communication activities (e.g. awareness raising campaigns) yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes no Recommendations on discrimination issues yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes no Publications and reports yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes no Research projects (including surveys) yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes yes no - Other statistics
-
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Number of inquiries handled per year (all contact even if not resulting in a formal complaint) 7751 6241 6563 6906 5801 5698 4677 4598 no data no data Number of cases handled per year (case files opened and processed according to your procedures) 2892 2353 1835 2346 2148 2647 2627 2496 no data no data Number of media appearances per year (major newspapers/magazines/websites/blogs, TV + radio channels) - does not include social media 7000 5500 3500 5400 4800 4000 3600 3000 no data no data - Management
- Single headed equality body (led by director or ombudsman/commissioner)
- Management details
The Equality Ombudsman is headed by a Director-General (the “Equality Ombudsman”). The Director-General acts on behalf of the agency and is solely responsible for its activities.
Pursuant to the Ordinance with instructions for the Equality Ombudsman, an Advisory Committee has been created. The task of the Advisory Committee is to provide the agency with advice and support, inter alia through the provision of expertise in discrimination issues and other matters of relevance to the Equality Ombudsman’s sphere of activities. The members of the Advisory Committee are appointed by the Equality Ombudsman.- Procedure for nomination and appointment of management and board
The Equality Ombudsman is appointed by the Government. All other staff members are appointed by the Equality Ombudsman.
- Number of staff dealing with equality issues
-
2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 93 91 88 106 117 108 93 94 no data no data - Grounds and fields of discrimination covered by the equality body
Grounds / Fields Employment Education Housing Social Protection & Healthcare Goods & Services Other Gender yes yes yes yes yes National military service and civilian service; Public employment Gender Identity yes yes yes yes yes Race and Ethnic Origin yes yes yes yes yes Age yes yes yes yes yes Disability yes yes yes yes yes Sexual Orientation yes yes yes yes yes Religion & Belief yes yes yes yes yes - Mandate covers:
- Public sector
- Private sector
- Operating budget in euros
- Operating budget in euros for the parts of the organisation dealing with equality issues (all types of functions).
- We are accountable to:
- National Ministry
Main Informations
Related News
The Swedish Equality Ombudsman recently investigated and delivered her opinion in two cases concerning demands to shake hands in the working life. The employers involved in both cases had denied (male) applicants jobs when the applicants had declared that, according to their interpretation of Islam, they could not shake hands with persons of the opposite sex.
Sweden: Racist and xenophobic hate speech on the rise despite considerable preventive efforts
The European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) today published its fifth report on Sweden in which it analyses legislatives issues, racist and homo-/transphobic hate speech and violence as well as integration policies. In the report, ECRI makes recommendations to the authorities (see also the Swedish version of the report).
Equinet Calendar 2019
Equality bodies assist victims of discrimination in a wide variety of ways. This calendar highlights some of the work that our members do to promote equal treatment in their respective countries.
