The article argues that public mobilization is essential for changing Swedish asylum policies, which oscillate between periods of solidarity and restriction.
The article discusses the historical fluctuations in Swedish asylum policy, citing instances of increased restrictions following events like the Balkan Wars in the 1990s and the refugee crisis in 2015. The authors, researchers Livia Johannesson and Noomi Weinryb, emphasize that these policies are often influenced by public opinion and political majorities, and that there is a continual need for individuals fleeing conflict to seek asylum according to international conventions.
Johannesson and Weinryb argue that while Sweden has seen periods of increased solidarity towards refugees, there is a prevailing trend towards stricter asylum measures in response to changing political climates. They contend that effective change requires not just online activism but active street demonstrations, invoking the need for brave leaders and citizens willing to advocate for the rights of refugees and challenge restrictive policies.
The authors call for a renewed commitment to civil action and solidarity, warning that without public pressure, the pendulum will continue to swing towards restriction. They suggest that ordinary citizens have a crucial role to play in invigorating the discourse around asylum and migration, thereby influencing lawmakers to re-evaluate and possibly transform current policies.
