He has voiced criticism against Swedish minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M) and argues that labeling the act of throwing paint at buildings during peaceful protests as vandalism is inappropriate. Recently, UN Special Rapporteur Michel Forst has gained attention in Sweden.
The UN Special Rapporteur for the Århus Convention was supposed to visit Sweden in early April, invited by the defense team involved in the trial of 17 activists who protested against private jets at Bromma Airport. However, the court denied his request to give testimony in person:
– I was very surprised that a court in Sweden did not allow me to testify. Instead, we submitted a long statement to the court to try to explain what I would have wanted to say in court in person, says Michel Forst in a video call with Dagens Arena.
Prosecuted collectively
Michel Forst became engaged in the case of the 17 climate protesters after being contacted by one of the defendants, Isabelle Letellier. He then got involved and sent a formal statement to the Swedish court.
– My greatest concern is that, in my eyes, she did nothing illegal. It was a peaceful demonstration, and she was merely holding a banner protesting the government’s insufficient action on climate.
He contends that prosecuting the entire group as responsible for vandalism breaches international agreements:
– This is an individual case, and they should not be treated as a group of demonstrators. It is very clear under international law that similar cases should not be handled in this way.
As reported earlier by Dagens Arena, Isabelle Letellier has lived in Sweden since 2010, where she has her family and two Swedish-born children. Michel Forst finds it troubling that she was denied Swedish citizenship due to the vandalism charge.
– If she is first sentenced to prison and then likely denied Swedish citizenship, that would constitute double punishment, he says.
“Not about violence”
When it comes to the vandalism accusations, Michel Forst expresses skepticism, even regarding the two individuals who threw paint.
– One can question the term vandalism. It involves water-soluble paint that does not cause damage. In the UK, for example, where they are generally extremely harsh on climate activists, a case was dropped where activists had thrown water-soluble paint. This is not about violence. It is a form of protest protected by international law.
Michel Forst has recently been featured in Swedish media due to the so-called “Marie case.” This involves a woman dismissed from the Swedish Energy Agency following reports in Fokus magazine and Svenska Dagbladet’s editorial page revealing her involvement with the climate group “The Rebellion Mothers.” A source cited in Fokus described Marie as a risk associated with her position at the Energy Agency. Shortly after Marie learned about her probationary contract termination, Minister for Civil Defence Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M) tweeted about the situation, noting his own contact with the Energy Agency.
The minister’s role prompted Michel Forst to publicly criticize Sweden, suggesting that Bohlin’s actions may have infringed upon a UN convention. Forst visited Sweden two months ago to meet government officials and discuss treatment of activists. Although the conversations were described as “constructive during the conversations themselves,” they failed to produce the desired outcome.
– Then I decided to publish a statement, which I only do when I see that the government in question does not understand or listen to what I am saying.
International trend
Michel Forst has highlighted what he views as a new pattern in Sweden’s handling of demonstrators:
– I was very surprised by what is happening in Sweden. For me, it is a very democratic society where the right to protest is protected by international laws. What I see is that climate activists are being prosecuted for new crimes in connection with protests, such as sabotage, during peaceful protests, says Michel Forst.
Earlier reports by Dagens Arena note an increase in sabotage convictions against climate protesters, reflecting a broader international trend. France and the UK are cited as examples:
– It hasn’t been confirmed by research yet, but for me, it’s a kind of laboratory experiment happening regarding how climate activists are treated. States are testing new forms of repression.
Lawyer Pia Björstrand, who defended Isabelle Letellier, believes prosecutors and courts are influenced by political interests more than they should be. Michel Forst, however, prefers not to generalize.
– It’s difficult to say because it varies from country to country. It also differs between different courts. What I see is that prosecutors tend to defend public order, says Michel Forst.
Lack of knowledge
He further points to gaps in awareness about international laws within the judiciary. Courts sometimes express gratitude when he informs them about the international legal obligations they must uphold in national cases.
Meanwhile, there is an increase in cases being heard, including by the European Court of Human Rights. Some rulings have been issued, with more expected.
– My hope is that the court will provide guidance to member states on how to handle these kinds of protests and states’ passivity on the climate issue.
Although criticisms from figures like Michel Forst and other UN rapporteurs often seem to be met with indifference by politicians, Forst remains hopeful:
– I have held various roles within the UN since 2008. And I see concrete and positive results in many ways. Of course, it’s easy to find examples of poor results or passive governments. But in many countries, we are understood and listened to, and even if we don’t get immediate results, countries may eventually understand that they are doing wrong when we return with new cases.
A fellow UN Special Rapporteur who has faced not ignorance but direct attacks is Francesca Albanese, responsible for the Palestinian territories. Following her strong criticism of Israel amid the Gaza war, she has been targeted with sanctions by the United States and others.
– Francesca Albanese is a friend of mine. She has been attacked by many governments, including the French, who want her to leave her post, but in my eyes, she is doing a fantastic job. She is truly trying to raise awareness of what is happening in Palestine, which is precisely her mission.
Original article: dagensarena.se
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