Yttrandefrihet är inte självklart

Having grown up in a country like Sweden, it is easy to take freedom of expression for granted. Of course I can think and feel what I want. Of course I can write it here on my blog. But this, expressing what you want, is far from self-evident in many parts of the world.

An article on Dawit Isaak

Yesterday, 91 newspapers across the country published a article on Dawit Isaak, who was then imprisoned for 2,979 days in Eritrea, written by the Swedish Academy's Permanent Secretary Peter Englund. Isaak's "crime" is freedom of expression, and his price for the "crime" is very high.

Far from obvious

We should not forget that the freedom of expression we enjoy is far from self-evident in other parts of the world. Nor should we be led to believe that Swedish rules apply abroad, when we are on holiday.

Many countries in the world violate freedom of expression and human rights. China has often been criticised for its censorship (The Great Firewall of China) and its treatment of its citizens. Not even the Swedes' beloved colonial garden Thailand can boast a clear conscience.

Should we boycott countries?

So what should you do when travelling? For our own sake, we must remember that the small country of Sweden cannot save us when we are over there. On holiday we have to follow their rules, whether we sympathise with them or not.

But all those people who cannot choose to live in a country where they can think and feel as they please, how can we support them? How can we influence the regimes of these countries? Should we boycott countries that do not have freedom of expression and that violate human rights? And where should we draw the line?