The Council of Europe criticized Sweden for refusing to provide health care to Roma migrants, considering that this constitutes discrimination.

The Council of Europe announced on Friday that Sweden has violated several provisions of the European Social Charter by refusing to provide necessary health care to migrants of Romanian origin.

Organizations Amnesty International and Médecins du Monde - International filed a complaint in 2023, highlighting 129 cases where Roma were denied medical care or were charged the full cost, discouraging them from seeking help. The European Committee of Social Rights (ECSR) concluded that the exclusion of these vulnerable migrants from access to medical care is discriminatory.

Furthermore, the absence of clear national rules has led to indirect discrimination, particularly affecting the Roma. Hannah Laustiola from Médecins du Monde emphasized that, despite the guaranteed right, Roma do not receive the necessary care. Amnesty International added that Roma migrants live in poverty and marginalization, without health insurance in their countries of origin, and Sweden is obligated by international agreements to ensure access to medical assistance without discrimination.