Scandinavian Human Dignity Award 2017 to the Swedish Salvation Army for their work against trafficking in human beings

         

Members of the Scandinavian Human Rights Committee together with the award winners. Photographer: Johan Rudén

On November 22, the Scandinavian Human Rights Lawyers and the Scandinavian Human Rights Committee awarded the Swedish Salvation Army with the Scandinavian Human Dignity Award. The award was given to the managers of the Salvation Army's sheltered housing for women exposed to trafficking, abuse and exploitation. The award ceremony took place in the Salvation Army's headquarters in Stockholm, with the presence of women and children living in the shelters of the Salvation Army.

- In recent years, Scandinavian Human Rights Lawyers have collaborated with the shelters of the Salvation Army and closely monitored how the practical relief efforts contribute to the protection, support and restoration of some of the society's most vulnerable. The Salvation Army also works with preventive efforts by spreading information and raising awareness about the issue and has developed a very good educational material. They also conduct outreach activities, which is very important, as many victims of trafficking do not dare to report the crimes they have been exposed to, the police. We are very pleased about the cooperation with the Salvation Army and to be able to award the managers of the shelters for victims of human trafficking with the Scandinavian Human Dignity Award 2017, said Ruth Nordström, Senior Legal Counsel and Chairman of the Scandinavian Human Rights Committee.

- The Salvation Army comes into contact with human trafficking daily through its extensive social work and through a national support program, the vulnerable victims of trafficking and violence and their families are accommodated in housing. Trafficking in human beings is the slavery of our time and constitute serious violations of a number of human rights, where women and children are particularly vulnerable victims. The Salvation Army's efforts to protect vulnerable victims of trafficking in human beings and to strengthen their hope and belief in the future, give them confidence and promote their rights and freedoms, are highly honorable, said Rebecca Ahlstrand, lawyer and member of the Scandinavian Human Rights Committee.

-In my work to help the prostitutes on Malmskillnadsgatan, I meet the vulnerable of society, and I have been exposed to sexual abuse and sold to prostitution myself. When I received the prize in 2013, I was deeply moved to see the statue, which showed a broken man who rises to his full human dignity. I felt it was my life that was symbolized. The Salvation Army's work, which is unique, is based on the value of all human beings. The Scandinavian Human Dignity Award symbolizes their work to give people an established human worth, said Elise Lindqvist, member of the Scandinavian Human Rights Committée.

Members of the Scandinavian Human Rights Committee are: Senior Legal Counsel, Ruth Nordström, President, Professor Reinhold Fahlbeck, Professor Kjell O Leijon, Elise Lindqvist, the “Angel in Malmskillnadsgatan” (the prostitution street of Stockholm), Johan Rudén, Education Advisor, Rebecca Ahlstrand, Lawyer, and Marianne Lidskog, Deacon and former Diplomat.

In 2013, Elise Lindqvist, the “Angel in Malmskillnadsgatan” (the prostitution street of Stockholm) received award. Year 2014, the prize ceremony was held in the European Parliament in Brussels and awarded to the Council of Europe's Trafficking Report, José Mendes Bota, at a seminar about trafficking and the Swedish sex purchase law. The Scandinavian Human Dignity Award 2015 was awarded Lars Adaktusson at a parliamentary seminar with the theme: "There is a genocide in the Middle East - What are we doing about it?"

The 2016 winner of prize was Dr. Denis Mukwege, chief physician at Panzis Hospital in east DR Congo, where tens of thousands of women and children, exposed to sexual violence, have received care. Dr. Mukwege is world-renowned for his work for raped and sexually abused women and he has challenged both the UN and the international community and has become a spokesperson for war victims in Congo.

For more information, see: http://humanrightslawyers.eu/scandinavian-human-dignity-award/

For more info contact:

Senior Legal Counsel Ruth Nordström
Phone: +46 (0)18 - 750 52 11
Mobile +46 (0)70 - 725 19 17
E-mail: info@shrl.eu
Web: www.shrl.eu

Kremena Hultby and Carolina Nilsson, Salvation Army´s managers of the shelters for victims of human trafficking. Photographer: Johan Rudén

Swedish Salvation Army´s Chief Secretary Kjell Olausson, receiving the Scandinavian Human Dignity Award together with the managers of the shelters for victims of human trafficking. Photographer: Johan Rudén

Elise Lindqvist, the Angel in Malmskillnadsgatan (the prostitution street of Stockholm), Rebecca Ahlstrand, lawyer, and Ruth Nordström, president of the Scandinavian Human Rights Committee. Photographer: Johan Rudén

Scandinavian Human Rights Lawyers is a Non-Governmental Organization dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights and human dignity in Scandinavia and Europe. Scandinavian Human Rights Lawyers implements an effective strategy of advocacy, networking and education on legal issues.

Human trafficking, sexual abuse and violence - how can we cooperate to make a change?

The #MeToo campaign has spread throughout the world and raised a huge debate, even in Sweden. How can we support and protect victims of sexual abuse, domestic and honor-related violence and human trafficking? How can stakeholders cooperate to make a change?

On November 9, representatives from Uppsala University, the police authority, lawyers, researchers and NGO:s will gather for a conference at Uppsala Concert and Congress. Even Elise Lindqvist - The Angel on Malmskillnadsgatan, the prostitution street of Stockholm, will participate.
The conference is part of an EU project, funded by the EU Commission, called Pro Victims Justice through an Enhanced Rights Protection and Stakeholders Cooperation, in collaboration with UFOLD, Uppsala University, Scandinavian Human Rights Lawyers, Landespräventionsrat Niedersachen am Justizministerium Niedersachen, Germany, Center for the Study of Democracy, Bulgaria, Uniunea Nationala a Barourilor your Romania, Romania, and ASOCIATA PRO REFUGIU, Romania.
Note: Limited number of seats, only a few places left. Sign up for your interest in the conference at info@shrl.eu
Event Schedule

 

Join us in the fight to abolish slavery and human trafficking

Press release 2 December 2016

Scandinavian Human Rights Lawyers
2 December, 2016 - PRESS RELEASE
Phone: +46 70 725 19 17 / Email: info@shrl.eu

Join us in the fight to abolish slavery and human trafficking

Today, the 2 December, is the International Day of the Abolition of Slavery. The 2 December 1949 the United Nations Convention for the Suppression of the Traffic in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others was adopted.

According to Global Slavery Index, 45.8 million people are enslaved in the world today. Most of the victims are women and children.

Scandinavian Human Rights Lawyers are currently representing several victims of human trafficking in judicial proceedings. This short film tells the story of some of them.

 

Josephine, a 28 years old mother that was a victim of sex trafficking and her little daughter, Patricia, 6 year old. The traffickers put a gun against Patricia’s head, lit cigarettes and burned her body and forced her to watch while they raped her mother and beat her until she started bleeding. The little girl was so traumatized that she lost the ability to eat, talk and play and she had to use diapers again. We fight for their protection and their freedom.

Maria, mother of twins, victim of sex trafficking. Maria was exploited as a sex slave in Europe for ten years. She tried to escape several times but the traffickers found her every time. They tatooed her body to show that they owned her. Maria was then subjected to even more violence, massive threats and abuse. She fled to Sweden and gave birth to twins. The traffickers have threatened to take her children. We fight for their protection and their freedom.

Ana, sold to forced prostitution when she was 16 years old. The traffickers kidnapped Ana, armed with guns, in front of her 11-year old sister. She was subjected to severe violence and abuse and was drugged by the traffickers, who threatened that they would kill her and sell her organs. The traffickers are part of organized crime and corruption impede prosecution. Ana´s mental health is at a critical stage and she has suffered from panic attacks and suicidal thoughts. We fight for Ana and her sister, for their protection and their freedom

Join us in the fight to #endhumantrafficking and #abolishslavery in our time.


For more information contact

Ruth Nordström, Chief Lawyer SHRL
Email: info@shrl.eu or ruth.nordstrom@shrl.eu
Phone: +46 70-725 19 17

Scandinavian Human Rights Lawyers is a Non-Governmental Organisation dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights and human dignity in Scandinavia and Europe.

 

Dr. Denis Mukwege winner of the Scandinavian Human Dignity Award 2016

Press release October 17, 2016

Scandinavian Human Rights Lawyers
October 17, 2016 - PRESS RELEASE
Phone: +46 70 725 19 17 / Email: info@shrl.eu

Dr. Denis Mukwege winner of the Scandinavian Human Dignity Award 2016

The Scandinavian Human Dignity Award is presented annually by the Scandinavian Human Rights Lawyers & Committe, to a person or an organization which has made a special contribution to human rights, all of which derive from the inherent dignity of the human person and are essential for his free and full development.

The 2016 Award winner is Dr. Denis Mukwege, Medical Director at the Panzi Hospital in Eastern Congo, where thousands of women and children that are victims of sexual violence and human trafficking, have been treated. Dr. Mukwege is world famous for his treatment to victims of rape in the conflict-ridden Congo and he has challenged both the UN and the international community and has become a spokesperson for the victims of the war in Congo.

"The Scandinavian Human Dignity Award is dedicated to Dr. Mukwege for his work to combat sexual violence and strengthen women's dignity and human rights. Dr. Mukwege gives a voice to the voiceless victims and to those who can not speak for themselves. He defends the defenseless and gives them the tools to combat the fear of violence and oppression. Dr. Mukwege has said that it is in times of crisis that every community has the greatest duty to protect human rights. His own community efforts to promote human rights and freedoms makes him a worthy winner of this year's prize," says Ruth Nordstrom, Chief Lawyer, Scandinavian Human Rights Lawyers and Chairman of Scandinavian Human Rights Committee.

The Members of the Scandinavian Human Rights Committé is Professor Kjell O Leijon, Professor Emeritus Reinhold Fahlbeck, Legal Counsel Rebecca Ahlstrand, Photographer and Marketer Johan Ruden, Deacon and former Diplomat Marianne Lidskog, The Swedish Angeln in the Red Light District Elise Lindqvist, and Chief Lawyer Ruth Nordstrom.

The Award Ceremony took place at a reception in central Stockholm October 14, 2016.

Pictures for download

To Gallery

 

For more information contact

Ruth Nordström, chairman SHRL
Email: info@shrl.eu or ruth.nordstrom@shrl.eu
Phone: +46 70-725 19 17

 

Linda Steen

ON 22-26 SEPTEMBER 2016, the trial concerning Linda Steen and Sörmlands Landsting will be held at the District Court of Nyköping. Linda Steen has filed a lawsuit against Sörmland County for violation of her freedom of conscience, freedom of religion and freedom of thought and opinion under the European Convention on Human Rights, and she has claimed damages for those violations. The European Convention, which is Swedish law since 1995, gives everyone, according to article 9, the right to freedom of conscience. This article may only be restricted if it is supported by law and if it is necessary in a democratic society.

Breaking: The European Court of Human Rights stops deportation

Scandianvian Human Rights Lawyers
May 27, 2016 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: info@shrl.eu

Breaking: The European Court of Human Rights stops deportation

The European Court of Human Rights has decided to prevent the Swedish applicant's deportation to Afghanistan in the case of M.H. v. Sweden. The duty judge has decided, in the interests of the parties and the proper conduct of the proceedings before it, to indicate to the Government of Sweden, under Rule 39, that the applicant should not be expelled for the duration of the proceedings before the Court.

- The applicant has, during his stay in Sweden, converted from Islam to Christianity. The execution of the expulsion would entail a violation of Article 2 and 3 of the European Convention of Human Rights, as he on a return to Afghanistan would face the death penalty, torture or inhuman and degrading treatment, said Ruth Nordstrom, Senior Legal Counsel at Scandinavian Human Rights Lawyers.

- The applicant shows all the signs of having genuine Christian beliefs. He has exhausted all domestic remedies in Sweden. The Swedish authorities and courts have, at the initial determination of his asylum application, without reasonable grounds, made the assessment that his Christian beliefs are not genuine. An examination of how genuine the complainant's faith is, has not been done since before October 2013, because the Courts did not consider that any new facts had emerged in the case, says Rebecca Ahlstrand, Legal Counsel at Scandianvian Human Rights Lawyers.

- In accordance with ECtHR case F. G. v. Sweden (43611/11, G.C.., March 23, 2016) the right to manifest a person´s faith openly has to be weighed in the when states assess whether there is a risk of torture or death in the home country. The applicant had a well-founded fear of persecution because of religious beliefs and it is reasonable to assume that the applicant would be at risk of the death penalty or being subjected to corporal punishment, torture or other inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, says Ruth Nordstrom.

The European Court of Human Rights may, under Rule 39 of its Rules of Court, indicate interim measures to any State party to the European Convention on Human Rights. Interim measures are urgent measures which, according to the Court’s well-established practice, apply only where there is an imminent risk of irreparable harm. Such measures are decided in connection with proceedings before the Court without prejudging any subsequent decisions on the admissibility or merits of the case in question. In the majority of cases, the applicant requests the suspension of an expulsion or an extradition. The Court grants such requests for an interim measure only on an exceptional basis, when the applicant would otherwise face a real risk of serious and irreversible harm.

The European Court Officer, Anders Månsson, has announced that the European Court has contacted the Swedish government to stop the deportation in the case of M.H. v. Sweden.

 

For more information contact:

Ruth Nordström
Senior Legal Counsel, Scandinavian Human Rights Lawyers
Phone: +46-70 725 19 17
Email: ruth.nordstrom@shrl.eu

Rebecca Ahlstrand
Legal Counsel, Scandinavian Human Rights Lawyers
Phone: +46–70 515 94 35

Contact:
info@shrl.eu

 

Scandinavian Human Rights Lawyers is a Non-Governmental Organization dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights and human dignity in Scandinavia and Europe. Scandinavian Human Rights Lawyers implements an effective strategy of advocacy, networking and education on legal issues.