The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls for Apology and Review of Minority Rights
After just over three years of investigation, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has released a report detailing the historical violations and abuses endured by the high-rise workers in Sweden. The commission found that the group is still affected by the difficulties in protecting their language, culture, and traditional industries.
In a statement, Elisabet Fura, the chairperson of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, called for an official apology to be made to the victims of violations while they are still alive. The commission also emphasized the need for a review of rights in land, water, hunting, and fishing matters for the affected minority group.
“The state, with its rules, has caused a split between this minority and the Sami,” said Elisabet Fura, highlighting the impact of state regulations on the minority group.
Åsa Nyström, the bishop of Luleå diocese, stressed the importance of preserving the minority language and culture. “Many have lost the language, but we also see that many want to regain it. Here, the Church of Sweden has an important role and works actively to enable meänkieli and minority culture in the business,” Nyström said.
The commission’s findings revealed that the state had banned the use of the minority’s mother tongue at the end of the 19th century, with children being forbidden to speak their language until the 1960s. Additionally, the report highlighted the establishment of school boarding schools, known as workhouses, from 1903, where many children were exposed to violence, humiliation, and force-feeding.
Sune Svaneblom, a victim of the boarding schools, recalled being beaten by the schoolmistress for speaking Finnish at recess. The report also noted that over the years, 5,500 children were sent to these boarding schools and were subjected to various forms of abuse.
The final report was handed over to the Minister of Culture, Parisa Liljestrand, on Wednesday. Liljestrand described the report as “unique in its kind” and expressed anticipation for engaging in the extensive work that the commission has carried out in close dialogue with the minority group.