In a letter to the editor on the DN Review (april 1) writes Faw Azzat that the social democrats in Umeå ”förnärmat took distance” from an interpellation on the identification of honour-related violence and oppression. This is incorrect, as evidenced by the response to interpellationen issued by the socialist president of the for – and grundskolenämnden.
We are not opposed to gain more knowledge about the occurrence of honour related violence and oppression. On the contrary, included the questions related to the hedersförtryck in the municipality’s regular folkhälsoundersökning among Umeå’s young people (Young people survey), in which about 5.700 students participating.
It is important to recognise honour-related violence and oppression as a special category of violence and abuse so that meaningful efforts can be directed towards combating this. Those affected shall have the society’s full support.
towards the hedersförtryck and the ambitionshöjning as announced by prime minister Stefan Löfven (S) recently, is therefore incredibly important. Among other things, the new straffskärpningsgrunden for ‘crimes of honour’, as proposed by the government, a much needed sign that the society takes a serious view of abuse in the name of honour.
the Work against hedersförtryck requires a well-stocked toolbox and efforts from both the state, regions and municipalities. In the municipality of Umeå is our firm stance that we must take our share of responsibility.
On the frontline in the fight against honour related violence and oppression is often staff within the school and social services, who come into daily contact with vulnerable children and young people. Therefore, we work actively in these activities to detect and combat hedersförtryck and protect the vulnerable.
in Umeå are action plans to combat honour related violence and oppression, in which, among other things, included targeted questions for health talks with students in primary and secondary education as well as annual training for the school staff. The schools are also working closely to follow up pupils ‘ absences, which is important in order to prevent children and young people are taken abroad for forced marriages or uppfostringsresor.
Also, the department has specific procedures to deal with honour related violence and oppression and to protect the vulnerable. Among other things, there are clear instructions for when disposal according to the law on the care of young people should be in the news.
to reinforce this work, we have in the Umeå municipality since several years, civil servants with excellence that works exclusively with honour related violence and oppression. These are linked to the welfare centre Centre against violence, which reinforces the communal activities and the Region of Västerbotten, the work against hedersförtryck – both at an overall level, as in individual cases.
we must override party political positioning. The whole community must work towards the same goal: to hedersförtrycket should cease, that those who commit crimes in the name of honour are prosecuted and that those who suffer receive the society’s full support.
It is all, ultimately, that we must guarantee all children and young people freedom and basic human rights.