Swedish government seeks to outlaw begging

Sweden's center-right coalition government has come under fire for its plan to implement a national begging ban, with critics accusing it of attempting to "outlaw poverty" and arguing that the proposal may not only be unlawful but also fail to address the root causes of vulnerability. Supported by the far-right Sweden Democrats, the three-party coalition, which secured a narrow victory in the 2022 national elections, has launched a nine-month investigation to explore the possibility of implementing a nationwide ban on begging, without contravening international conventions and human rights law, reported the Politico news website. Aida Samani, deputy legal director at Civil Rights Defenders, warned that the government could encounter legal challenges if it proceeds with a proposed begging ban. Samani said the proposed ban is part of a broader trend toward "more oppressive policies" in criminal and migration matters, and of "disregarding human rights and freedoms".