The Swedish government submitted to parliament a bill to tighten the requirements for obtaining Swedish citizenship by notification, the press service of the Swedish Ministry of Justice reported on March 19 on the official Internet portal of government agencies.
The bill proposes amendments to Swedish citizenship legislation. The amendments strengthen the requirements for acquiring Swedish citizenship by notification and improve the protection of children and adults in vulnerable situations.
“Swedish citizenship is of great importance and should be respected and protected to a greater extent than today. Swedish citizenship should not be granted lightly to people convicted of or suspected of having committed serious crimes. Therefore, we are now tightening the requirements for obtaining Swedish citizenship through registration. At the same time, we are strengthening citizen protections for children and adults in vulnerable situations.”explains the Minister of Migration, Maria Malmer Stenergaard.
Today, Swedish citizenship can be acquired by birth, adoption, registration or application. When it comes to acquiring citizenship by notification, the requirements are significantly lower than when acquiring citizenship by submitting an application. Persons who qualify for citizenship by notification, unlike those who apply, have an unconditional right to obtain Swedish citizenship.
“Citizenship rules have long been deeply immoral. People convicted of serious crimes or who pose a serious security risk can now register and obtain citizenship without the possibility of intervention by the Swedish authorities. This can be done, for example, by people suspected of having committed a serious crime. Now we are changing this order”explained Ludwig Aspling, immigration policy representative for the Sweden Democrats.
As noted in the communication, there are good reasons why a foreigner entitled to acquire Swedish citizenship by notification must also meet certain basic requirements of good conduct and respect for society. Therefore, the government decided to tighten the requirements for obtaining Swedish citizenship by notification. The proposed amendments stipulate that the possibility of obtaining Swedish citizenship should not be available to a person who is reasonably suspected or convicted of a specific crime, represents a threat to the security of Sweden or has connections with certain groups and organizations.
“For too long it has been too easy to become a Swedish citizen. The fact that we are now tightening the requirements is important in our long-term work to increase the value of Swedish citizenship. Furthermore, the Swedish authorities must be well placed to counter violence and coercion related to the defense of honor.”“explained the Christian Democrats’ immigration policy representative, Ingemar Kihlström.
The government is also proposing changes to the rules for exemption from Swedish citizenship. The changes mean greater protection for children and vulnerable adults.
“It is important to strengthen citizen protections for children and adults in vulnerable situations. “No one should be forced against their will, for example because they live in a certain environment, to renounce their Swedish citizenship.”says the Vice Minister of Gender Equality and Labor Market, Paulina Brandberg.
Source: Rossa Primavera
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