and attitudes derived from racial biology have existed in Sweden for a long time, and during particular eras have also been State-sanctioned policy. Migration has shaped Sweden in fundamental ways. Compared internationally, Sweden has a relatively large proportion of foreign born. About 18 per cent are born in another country and another 5 per cent have both their parents born abroad. Approximately 13 percent of the foreign born are from the Nordic countries, one third from the rest of Europe, while about half of the foreign born population are born outside of Europe. Over the last few immigration to Sweden has increased substantially. In proportion to the number of inhabitants, Sweden has received a comparatively large number of refugees, compared to other European countries. In 2015, Sweden experienced the largest per-capita inflow of asylum seekers ever recorded in an OECD country. Sweden has a tradition of openness to the rest of the world and is fully committed to maintaining an inclusive society. Generations of people who have fled persecution have been given a chance to start a new life in Sweden. This has enriched Sweden in many ways, and without this openness, Sweden would have been a poorer country today. This fundamentally positive view is what guides Sweden at the national, the EU, and the global level. Members of the Committee The promotion and protection of rights is one of the Government’s most important tasks and also constitutes a cornerstone in Swedish foreign policy. My Government is committed to strengthening the protection of human rights – in Sweden and beyond. Sweden must continue to be a strong voice and stand up for, defend and promote human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Therefore, the Government's goal for the human rights policy is high, namely to ensure full respect for Sweden's international human rights commitments. It forms the basis upon which systematic work on human rights in Sweden will rely. The goal has been adopted by the parliament. Nevertheless, challenges remain before Sweden can comply fully and completely with its convention commitments on human rights. In order to further strengthen the systematic work for human rights in Sweden the Government, as you are aware of, adopted a strategy for its national efforts
The plan forms a basis and a focus for work to combat racism and hate crime in the particularly important strategic areas identified by the Government. The strategic areas are: Improved coordination and monitoring; More knowledge, education and research; Civil society: greater support and more in-depth dialogue; Strengthening preventive measures online; and A more active system. One important approach of the national plan is to clarify that there are different forms of racism and different forms of hostility that need to be highlighted and recognized. There is therefore a special focus on afrophobia, anti-Gypsyism, islamophobia and racism against the Sami people, homophobia and transphobia in the plan. The Government has also initiated targeted measures against these different forms of racism and hostility. The Government continuously discusses issues regarding all these different forms of racism and hostility with representatives of civil society organisations. The Government has also substantially increased funding for grants to civil society organisations for activities to combat the different forms of racism as well as funding for security enhancing measures. The Living History Forum, a governmental agency, has the assignment to coordinate and monitor work within the remit of the National plan. The agency regularly exchanges experiences, knowledge and information, primarily with agencies working on these issues but also with civil society organisations. Furthermore, the agency will gradually develop a monitoring system encompassing regular reporting based on the information the Forum receives from agencies affected as well as additional information, e.g. from attitude and experience surveys. Each year the Living History Forum reports to the Government on its mandate in a special report on developments in the area. Members of the Committee One important strategic area of the National plan to combat racism, similar forms of hostility and hate crime is strengthening preventive measures