New strategy against honor killings delayed - "I am disappointed"

The message was clear.

The work against honor killings was carried out in "downpipes" and the authorities were too bad at cooperating.

Therefore, a new national strategy against violence against children was needed, including honor-related violence and oppression, it was said in a debate article in Aftonbladet signed by Minister of Justice Morgan Johansson (S) together with representatives of the Green Party, Liberals and Center Party in July last year.

And the schedule was clear: already "this autumn" an investigator would be commissioned to develop the strategy.

But even today, nine months after the debate article, no investigator has been appointed.

The Liberals' Juno Blom, who has long been involved in issues of oppression of honor and who was one of the signatories to the debate article, is critical.

- I have met so many children who are vulnerable, and every day that passes without us taking a holistic approach leads to children remaining vulnerable.

We have made sure that this is in place and I am glad that it is underway, but I am also disappointed that it will take so long.

Every day counts and this strategy should have been in place several years ago.

Refers to the pandemic

The Center Party's legal policy spokesperson Johan Hedin writes to SVT that: “It is unfortunate that the work has dragged on.

A national strategy against violence against children is a high-priority issue and it is of the utmost importance that a bill is prepared urgently and presented to the Riksdag as soon as possible. "

The Minister responsible for Gender Equality and Housing, Märta Stenevi (MP), is responsible for the government.

She explains the delay with the corona pandemic and emphasizes that the government has put forward other proposals against oppression of honor.

- But we want a long-term strategy in place, it has taken a little longer due to the pandemic but now it comes in the near future.

According to SVT's experience, an investigator will be given the task of developing a ten-year strategy with proposals for preventing and combating violence against children, including honor violence and oppression.

The inquiry will also identify shortcomings and gaps in the current system, and highlight positive initiatives and methods in the work against, among other things, honor killings.

The commission's proposal will be presented in 2022.