Truth Commission in Sweden
Sweden assigns a Truth Commission to investigate the abuses of the Sami people by the Swedish State. The decision was taken by the Swedish government on 3 November, 2021.
The Sami Parliament and Swedish government agree on the directive for a Truth Commission. In the spring of 2022 the Commission members were appointed and they have now started their work.
A Truth Commission that shall identify and review from a historical perspective the policies the Sami were subjected to and the subsequent consequences for the Sami people. The Commission shall bring to light and spread knowledge about the experiences of the Sami and the Commission’s conclusions as well as propose actions that can contribute to amends and promote reconciliation.
“The Sami Parliament welcomes the government’s decision to set up a Truth Commission to investigate the abuses of the Sami people by the Swedish State. This means that the Truth Commission will finally become a reality,” says Håkan Jonsson, President of the Sami Parliament.
“The time has come to bring to light the history of, and reality for, the Sami people. The Truth Commission has a considerable and vital work ahead of them in the investigation of State abuses to the Sami people and individual Sami, as well as historical, such as the abuses and discriminations that continue yet today,” says Marie Persson Njajta, convening for the Sami Parliament steering group for a Truth Commission.
The directive means that the Truth Commission shall identify, make visible, analyze and highlight the consequences of the policies the Sami people were subjected to. The Commission shall also spread knowledge about and raise the general awareness of Sami history and how historical abuses affect the conditions for the Sami today, participate in the general debate and participate in different forms of education and information activities.
“The Commission has been given a wide mandate to leave no stone unturned. An important assignment of the Commission is to propose measures that shall lead towards amends and change,” says Marie Persson Njajta.
The assignment shall be presented by the latest on 1 December 2025.
Contact:
Håkan Jonsson
President of the Sami Parliament
+46 70-372 10 10
hakan.jonsson@sametinget.se
Marie Persson Njajta
Convening for the Sami Parliament steering group for a Truth Commission
+46 73-806 98 48
marie.persson.njajta@sametinget.se
