Swedish universities slammed for failure to prevent discrimination

Ombudsman report finds lack of awareness and implementation of guidelines to protect students

Sweden’s equality ombudsman has found that Swedish higher education institutions have, by and large, failed to protect students from discrimination and promote equal rights.

In a report covering 18 universities and colleges in the country, the ombudsman found that many institutions did not know how to comply with the Swedish Discrimination Act. The act formally enshrines the right to equality at work and in higher education, and obliges institutions to investigate cases of discrimination, analyse the causes and take measures.