STOCKHOLM: Sweden’s government said on Friday it was launching a project to chart the different types of racism in society and assess the level of Swedes’ intolerance towards minorities.

Around 27 per cent of Sweden’s population, or more than 2.8 million people, were of foreign origin last year, meaning they were either born abroad or both their parents were.

Presenting the government’s plan, Gender Equality Minister Paulina Brandberg said she wanted to focus in particular on the scope of the phenomenon in schools.

“Racism and discrimination affect Afro-Swedish students at school... young Roma don’t dare speak out about their identity, and the (indigenous minority) Sami are victims of hate crimes,” the minister said at a press conference.

“Teachers say they hear students uttering verbal insults against people because of their skin colour, their religion or their ethnic origin,” Health and Social Affairs Minister Jakob Forssmed said at the same press conference.

Published in Dawn, December 14th, 2024