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Opinion: The Social Democrats Betray Migrants Who Have Jobs
🇸🇪 Sweden /Crime & Justice

Opinion: The Social Democrats Betray Migrants Who Have Jobs

From Dagens Nyheter · (8m ago) Swedish Critical tone

Translated from Swedish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • The author criticizes the Swedish government's decision to retroactively abolish the 'track change' law for migrants.
  • This decision disproportionately affects migrants who have jobs and have contributed to Swedish society.
  • The author argues this move undermines legal certainty and human rights, calling it a collective punishment without evidence of widespread fraud.

As the founder of the network 'Vi är 4 700 arbetare' (We are 4,700 workers), I am deeply dismayed by the Tidö parties' decision to abolish the law on 'track change' with retroactive effect. This move represents a grave assault on legal certainty and human rights in Sweden. It is particularly disheartening that the Social Democrats are supporting this measure, effectively abandoning migrants who are gainfully employed and contributing to our society.

Regeringens beslut att avskaffa lagen om spårbyte med retroaktiv verkan är ett av de mest allvarliga angrepp på rättssäkerhet och mänskliga rättigheter i modern tid.

— Fereshte JavaniThe author expresses strong criticism of the government's decision regarding the 'track change' law.

This decision, despite clear warnings from the Council on Legislation about its severe legal and humanitarian consequences, will cause individuals who have worked, paid taxes, and built their lives here to lose everything overnight. The government claims this is to combat fraud, yet no concrete evidence has been presented to substantiate these claims. We are witnessing a collective punishment inflicted upon thousands of people based on unsubstantiated accusations.

Detta sker trots att Lagrådet tydligt varnade för att ett avskaffande utan övergångsregler skulle få allvarliga juridiska och humanitära följder.

— Fereshte JavaniThe author highlights that the government proceeded despite warnings from the Council on Legislation.

Many of these affected individuals possess academic qualifications and have been a positive force in our society, contributing to the welfare state. They obtained their residence permits precisely because of their employment and met all the requirements set by the Migration Agency. If crimes have been committed, the proper legal path is to identify and prosecute those responsible, not to enact a sweeping, retroactive law that punishes innocent individuals.

Frågan är enkel men avgörande: Ska personer som riskerar utvisning till länder där deras liv och säkerhet hotas, betala priset för ogrundade anklagelser?

— Fereshte JavaniThe author poses a rhetorical question about the fairness of punishing individuals based on unproven allegations.

Sweden is, or should be, a democratic rule of law founded on individual responsibility, legal certainty, and humanitarian values. Applying laws retroactively in a manner that causes such concrete harm contravenes these fundamental principles. This decision erodes trust in the state, leaving those who relied on Swedish legislation feeling betrayed. The repercussions extend beyond those facing deportation, impacting employers, the labor market, and society as a whole. This is a classic case of 'throwing the baby out with the bathwater.'

I stället har man valt kollektiv bestraffning – ett klassiskt exempel på att ”kasta ut barnet med badvattnet”.

— Fereshte JavaniThe author criticizes the government's approach as collective punishment, likening it to a common idiom.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dagens Nyheter in Swedish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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