Slaughtering freedom of expression – gets criticism

Published 28 July 2024 at 12.43

Domestic. The government plans to enable the Security Police to stop speeches and demonstrations by referring to “national security”. It would seriously reduce freedom of expression in Sweden, say critics.

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One of the critics is the journalist and author Jan Guillou who notes that Säpo can use “the security of the ” to stop basically any gathering or any speech. “Thus arises an all-round instrument to stop anything that can anger the authorities. Because 'security reasons' can mean anything in particular according to the investigation's proposal, it will be Säpo who decides whether there are security reasons for banning your or that statement or gathering,” he writes in Aftonbladet.

Guillou writes that Säpo is given the opportunity to, with reference to secret “security reasons” ban, for example, all Kurdish or Palestinian demonstrations without even having to justify themselves.

“Also, secret motives cannot be appealed”, he writes.

Guillou also states that statements critical of Islam and immigration can be banned using the new law. Presumably, blasphemy directed at the Koran would be banned.

“The proposed new order would also hit hard against the heart of the Sweden Democrats, the right to burn Korans in public,” writes Guillou.