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UN Panel: Sweden Violated Child's Rights in Deportations
27 Apr
Summary
- Sweden deported a child with severe disabilities twice to Albania.
- The UN Human Rights Committee found Sweden risked irreparable harm.
- The committee urges Sweden to review asylum and provide compensation.
A UN Human Rights Committee has determined that Sweden violated the fundamental rights of a child with severe disabilities through two deportations to Albania. The committee, composed of 18 independent experts, found that Swedish authorities failed to properly assess the availability of essential medical care for the child, who suffers from multiple complex health conditions.
This failure, according to the committee's decision dated March 30, exposed the child to a substantial risk of irreparable harm, violating his right to life and protection from cruel treatment. The committee emphasized that states must conduct thorough assessments before deporting individuals with severe health conditions, ensuring continuity of care.
The Albanian national, now 21, first arrived in Sweden in 2012 seeking protection and treatment. Despite repeated asylum applications, he and his family were deported in 2016 and again in 2019. He has since returned to Sweden, reportedly facing a new removal order.
The committee has called on Stockholm to review his asylum or residence permit applications and to offer appropriate compensation. While the committee's rulings are not binding, they carry significant reputational weight for state parties.
