Swedish rights groups criticise proposed ‘honest living’ rule for migrants

STOCKHOLM: Sweden’s government is facing mounting criticism over a proposed requirement that migrants must meet an ‘honest living’ standard, with rights organisations and legal experts arguing that the measure is discriminatory.

The proposal is part of a broader package of reforms being advanced by the government that took office in 2022 after pledging a tougher approach to immigration and crime. The government is seeking to move quickly on several changes ahead of legislative elections due in September.

If parliament approves the measure, it would take effect on July 13. Under the proposed change, Sweden’s Migration Agency would weigh whether non-European Union citizens applying for or renewing residence permits have at any point posed a threat to public order or security, shown extremist sympathies, had links to groups advocating violence, or committed minor offences punishable by fines.

Other conduct that may be taken into account includes falling into debt ‘without any intention or effort to repay’, organised begging, welfare fraud, or working off the books. People found not to be meeting the ‘honest living’ requirement could be deported.

John Stauffer, a legal adviser at the human rights group Civil Rights Defenders, told AFP that ‘The consequences will be very serious’ for migrants affected by the reform.

He also said the proposal would create unequal protections depending on a person’s legal status. ‘This creates a system where people, depending on their legal status and whether they are citizens or have residence permits, have different rights in our society, especially when it comes to freedom of expression,’ Stauffer said.

He added: ‘If you are a citizen, you have broad and strongly protected freedom of expression. If you are not a citizen, then you will have freedom of expression, but it will not be as strong.’

Government defends proposal

The measure would make it easier to withdraw residence permits from immigrants. Migration Minister Johan Forssell defended the plan in comments to AFP.

‘It is not a human right to stay in Sweden. It is important to remember that,’ Forssell said.

He added: ‘If you come to Sweden and you’re not a citizen, it’s almost like being a guest in someone’s home. Then you should show that you want to become part of the country. That you make an effort, that you pull your weight, that you work.’

When the plans were announced, Ludvig Aspling, a spokesman for the anti-immigration Sweden Democrats, which supports the minority right-wing government, said that even a person’s statements — while not in themselves proof of a failure to meet the standard — could point to links with ‘violent extremism’.

The government has not yet issued a final list of actions or behaviour that would amount to a breach of the proposed requirement.

Concerns over uncertainty and activism

The Swedish Refugee Law Centre, which provides legal assistance to asylum seekers, said the added criteria could make residence permit decisions less predictable.

Elias Nygren, a lawyer with the organisation, told AFP: ‘This can also create a sense of insecurity when you don’t really know how your actions in different situations might be assessed.’

Some groups have also expressed concern that certain forms of activism could be treated as violating the standard. Frida Bengtsson, head of Greenpeace Sweden, said the issue was increasingly being raised in connection with the organisation’s activities.

‘We organise trainings in civil disobedience, that is, in non-violence and the principles that guide our actions. We are finding that this question comes up more and more often,’ Bengtsson told AFP.

She added: ‘Many people are dropping out because they hesitate to take action due to the current uncertainty. They don’t really dare take that risk.’

Satirical criticism targets minister

In a satirical opinion piece published in Dagens Nyheter, writer Gellert Tamas argued that some members of the government should examine their own pasts, saying some could themselves be considered for deportation under the proposed wording.

He wrote that ‘Johan Forssell has ‘clear links to an organisation promoting violence’,’ citing language from the draft bill, ‘because of his son’s former membership in the openly Nazi group Aktivklubb Sverige’.

It emerged in the media in July 2025 that Forssell’s then 16-year-old son had been a member of Aktivklubb Sverige, which the minister said he had not known about.

"‘Forssell’s defence — that ‘this was about a deeply remorseful 15-year-old, who just turned 16’ — would hardly have impressed in an assessment into honest living,’ Tamas said.