Sweden has long been a model for good governance globally, but today a party with widely known neo-Nazi roots is in Parliament. Perhaps more telling still, only the week of August 8th headlines revealed that a young boy's parents had reported a swastika tatoo was found enclosed in their child's "fast-food meal". And I have personally witnessed events that I can only describe as defying belief.

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Sweden: The growing nightmare of living with the far-right
By Ritt Goldstein
Copyright August 2011

Dateline Falun, Sweden    On August 11th, UPI headlined "Swastika turns up in child meal", the locale in question being a simple budget restaurant in a city somewhat north of me.  The article noted that the eight-year-old boy's parents "were shocked to find a swastika tattoo in the fast-food meal they purchased for their son".  I regret that I cannot say I am equally surprised.   

It's important to recall that much of Europe's ongoing hardship was effectively blamed on societal outgroups in recent years -- particularly immigrants and muslims -- Europe's rising far-right targeting them for the economic suffering so many now feel.  Of course, in the 1930s populist far-right groups rose with similar scapegoating, and such tactics are far easier again today than addressing the difficult structural problems which failures in policy and leadership have brought.

Scandinavia has a history of its lands providing societies that have been a model globally, fostering a deep-felt faith in the region's governments and its society.  And given this, perhaps it's understandable that many Scandinavians see their own recent societal problems as originating through externally introduced factors, immigrants bearing the brunt of such blame.

Just days ago I read that the "Nordic far-right is now so entrenched in the political establishment that experts say the 'extreme' label is no longer suitable" (AFP/The Local, 28 July), and just months ago a gunman was randomly shooting immigrants in the South Sweden city of Malmö.  One of Sweden's english-language media outlets (The Local) headlined "Malmö shooter targeting immigrants: police".  And then there was the tragedy brought by Norway's Anders Behring Breivik.  

While far-right gunmen aren't everyday events, this journalist can personally speak to less obvious assaults that defy belief, events that suggest a newly-felt legitimacy for the exercise of a 'quieter violence', the exercise of an ugly bias that we term xenophobia.

Merriam-Webster defines xenophobia as "fear and hatred of strangers or foreigners or of anything that is strange or foreign", and in April 2010 Sweden's Amnesty Press published an article titled "Främlingsfientlig retorik i politik och media" (Xenophobic rhetoric in politics and media).  'Främlingsfientlig' is an interesting word however, for while it is usually translated as 'xenophobic', it might be literally translated as 'enemy of strangers', the Amnesty article addressing some of the most readily seen symptoms of this problem's rise in Denmark, Norway, Finland and Sweden.

More than rhetoric though, this journalist believes he has witnessed in Sweden what are the worst kinds of failures, failures by both local authorities and the legal system.  When it's said that the Nordic far-right is "entrenched in the political establishment", is this now part of what that means? To my eyes, it appears a foreigner, an immigrant, a so-called 'stranger', can today often be met with a virtually insurmountable bias. 

Notably, during Fall 2010 I interviewed Swedish legal scholar Eric Bylander.  Professor Bylander observed that political changes here might mean Swedish courts could be used as "a political arena in a way that hasn't been common in Sweden".   Bylander also spoke of the potentially chilling effect that might have on those of foreign origins.

What has often come to my mind lately is Hollywood's depiction of 'troubled' towns in the 1960's US Deep South, places with casual malice and brutality, and the assorted other unpleasant issues such films can portray.  This is not to imply that every town in Sweden and every Swede suggests such a place, as that isn't what's occurring.  But, particularly 'troubled areas' do seem to exist, as well as an increasing acceptance of so-called 'främlingsfientlig' ideas and practices.

While actual membership in xenophobic political parties is limited, the actual votes these groups have been receiving indeed exceeds their membership, with sympathies for aspects of their xenophobic agenda felt by even more still. 

The Amnesty article noted that all four of the Nordic countries cited have 'främlingsfientlig' parties.  Today, those parties now hold seats in their nations' parliaments; though, only Sweden 's främlingsfientlig party, the Sweden Democrats (Sverigedemokraterna or SD), has neo-nazi roots.  As to what such a political climate can mean, the Swedish daily Expressen headlined 29 July "The terrorist Breivik lived in Sweden" ("Terroristen Breivik bodde i Sverige"), reporting that it's thought he formed a large part of his political opinions here.   

In a November 2010 article, "Rise of far right an ominous echo', I addressed the SD's election to parliament, quoting political scientist Cristian Norocel - of Finland's University of Helsinki - as observing that some of the SD's positions paralleled a number of aspects of "very early National Socialism (Nazism) in Europe."  And the very fact of the SD's successes does provide comment upon the changing nature of Sweden's attitudes and society.

As I reported in November, it was a quietly determined Norocel that observed "the thing that is worrisome is that the SD party platform appears to be very successful". 

A notorious SD television commercial showed black burqa-clad mothers with baby carriages racing a pensioner for what government money was to be had.  And again, it is easier to blame immigrants than address issues such as the damage massive tax-cuts and corporate welfare have meant for social programs.

In many ways though, it sadly appears today that the SD is the least of Swedish society's issues, for those that declare themselves members become openly seen as tied to the Party's beliefs.  What I consider far more disturbing are the 'societal currents' which have allowed the SD's rise, and its increasing degree of societal acceptance...an effective statement on the perceived 'legitimacy' of being 'främlingsfientlig', an 'enemy of strangers'. 

"We never had a single conversation with a Swede", was a headline in The Local on August 15th, today.  The article detailed how a British tourist family of Indian roots were treated during their visit, how - despite their very normal European clothing - they were "often stared at in the street".  And, one summer some years ago, when I was extremely tan, I too drew similar treatment in certain areas...

Many across the spectrum here long share in a kind of 'nationalism' and 'Nordic pride', though certainly in varying degrees.  Of course, for some it's not that large a jump from 'proud sentiments' to a certain level of prejudice against those that don't share ones background, the major differences between the far-right and more mainstream elements perhaps best seen as those regarding the degree and visibility such discrimination is embraced and acted upon. 

It's been widely reported that Breivik's actions didn't occur in a vacuum, and it is the broader societal sentiments held by many that are politically mainstream, not members of the xenophobic parties, that indeed Breivik's nightmarish political act sought to begin to mobilize.  As Breivik's news photos readily demonstrate, does one need be primarily concerned with those that openly wear swastikas, or those whose clothing is only marked by designer labels? 

I have long reflected upon the Holocaust, the reasons behind it.  As a very young man, I found myself sometimes pointedly asked why Jews simply hadn't left Nazi Germany (I am Jewish), only years later realizing this was simply a part of 'blaming the victim', something that too many are always eager to do.  Later, I asked myself how the German people could have let the nightmare of Nazism occur, and it's only recently I became convinced that I likely have 'seen' the answer.

I have come to believe that most Germans of the time truly didn't realize the horror that was growing, they just weren't able to grasp what was actually taking place, until it was too late.  I imagine they dismissed accounts of unimaginable atrocities as exaggerations, and came to slowly accept the politicization of the bureaucracy and what brutality they saw, rationalizing horror away as something which the victims somehow deserved, allowing individuals to sometimes even delight in nightmarish abuse accordingly.  And as some might have gathered, I'm of the opinion that I've witnessed certain parallels between then and now.

In all fairness to Swedes and Sweden though, the country has also had a number of municipal corruption scandals make news within the last 18 months.  I believe a part of what's ongoing has to do with the same problems as spawned these scandals, problems impacting more than just those not native born, and a further measure of the deep-rooted societal issues scapegoating helps hide.

Notably, most of the 'everyday' people one meets here seem among the most decent one can encounter, and indeed, quite a few are; but, there are others too.  

Among those that hold the power to shape events, there are locales where another attitude seems too often evident.  One repeatedly hears of the 'insular' nature of power in many Swedish communities, but there is a difference between insularity and an arrogant hostility, a contemptuous disregard even sometimes shown native-born Swedes.

According to professor Olle Lundin of Uppsala University's faculty of law, a change has occurred over the "last twenty or thirty years", one he sees due to "influence from the private sector".  Lundin perceives what he terms "entrepreneurial politicians" today dominating many of Sweden's municipalities, politicians he sees with a taste for building "shiny, big things", but frequently a disregard for both their constituents and accountability.

Lundin recently wrote a report upon municipal accountability and controls, a report commissioned by an 'expert group' established by the national government's Finance Department.  He says a structural problem exists with "no division of power within the local government", no system of appropriate checks and balances accordingly.

Of course, without effective checks and balances, certain 'temptations' exist, the corruption scandals that have broken providing a glaring testament to this, as well as highlighting a further explanation of Sweden's societal pain.

At the heart of the corruption problems are "people who have become too familiar" with each other, according to Prosecutor Nils-Eric Schultz of Sweden's National Anti-Corruption Unit, with what's perhaps best described as 'cronyism' appearing to have blurred the boundaries of law for many. 

"If you are 'well-connected' locally...there might be people then who are prepared to 'bend the rules' to give you favors, and maybe they get favors back.  And we know that this happens in municipalities", separately added corruption expert and political scientist Staffan Andersson of Sweden's Linné University . 

Of course, such relationships in a community not only are illegal, but provide an effective threat to any 'outsiders' that encounter them, especially if such inappropriate 'bias' is further heightened by xenophobia.  And, it seems I have personally witnessed how such an environment can become extremely dangerous.

During the last week of July, my own apartment - a rental - was vandalized, a chemical substance that made me ill introduced to it, and I am ill still.  I was able to find a person with a chemical background to come by and witness the circumstances, and with this witness statement reported the crime to police; though, as of this writing, I have still not received a complaint number.

Interestingly, I live in the best section of town, a place where burglaries and street crime do not exist, and nothing was stolen.

This is the second time someone illegally entered my flat and spread something noxious in it, the first police complaint being made in November 2010, and nothing was stolen at that time either.  Equally notable, these were not break-ins, so whoever is responsible may well have had a key.  But I'm sorry to say this is almost the least of what I've endured over the last years here. 

I am a white, university educated, 60 year old American who has even been published in Scandinavia's largest paper, Aftonbladet...yet, as I write this I'm badly injured from an apartment that the municipal housing company here provided (most rental apartments in Sweden are owned by a municipal housing company), with a local court indeed finding my housing related injuries proven and severe.  The case was tried in June, the decision being rendered July 8th, and local papers reporting heavily upon the case, and it is noteworthy.

The toxic apartment I had was actually assigned me (a 'benefit' some municipalities offer) as a 'newcomer' to the city (I had lived outside of town earlier), but the flat had a 'funny smell' when I was shown it.  I was reluctant to take it, but the local authorities assured me it was fine, and that it was this apartment or no apartment. 

I took it, having no reason to then doubt the words or intentions of those involved.  But, a couple of years ago, a Riksdag political secretary told me about a scandal that had occurred elsewhere, one where newcomers were deliberately fed into bad apartments.

I will not speculate here upon whether that might have happened to me; but, it did turn out that not only did the flat I was given have "powerfully elevated" levels of toxic mold, but "unusually high levels" of chloroform and benzene, plus significant amounts of other toxic chemicals.  As a matter of fact, benzene in the flat was recorded at over six times both the EU and Swedish limits for benzene in ambient air.

Unfortunately, I can't comment on the chloroform level as I was never able to obtain anything more than it was "unusually high". 

The next two apartments I received from my municipal landlord proved contaminated as well.  A medical certificate from a 'chief physician' today states I am 75% disabled from "building related" symptoms. 

I am not a muslim, nor get one kroner in government funds, but I am a foreigner, and it certainly appears I have been effectively forced to endure housing which seems to have poisoned me.  Of course, if one were an 'enemy of strangers', such actions might seem to have a legitimacy in such an individual's eyes.

In a notable quote, a section-head at the municipal agency which assigned me that first apartment told me -- after I was gravely ill, and my furniture and clothing couldn't be used according to physician's orders -- that "some people are happy to have any apartment at all', seeming to actually suggest that the real problem was simply my lack of gratitude. 

I can only speculate upon what might have legitimated such a comment in this individual's mind, not to mention the condition of other apartments this agency provided, but 'such compassion' is difficult to forget.  However, this sort of conduct can perhaps best be seen as symptomatic of a broader malaise.

In the context of a society shifting towards the far-right, psychologist Daniel Burston -- a well-known author of papers and books on the social psychology of the 1930s, and also chair of Duquesne University 's Psychology Department -- noted certain psychological phenomenon may occur, including that of 'otherization'.  I quoted him on this in 'Rise of far right an ominous echo', the section reading:
Otherization is essentially a psychological phenomenon where you fail "to recognize the fundamental humanity of your counterpart", Burston said, an ominous tone apparent in his voice. Explaining how this phenomenon impacted societal outgroups in the current circumstances, he noted that "the other is no longer simply a stranger, but an adversary".

Again, 'främlingsfientlig' is a word used to describe the far-right parties that have become increasingly popular in Northern Europe, with many translating it as 'xenophobic', but its literal translation being 'enemy of strangers'.  Of course, once an individual or group is perceived as an 'enemy', lacking any 'humanity', there are few limits as to what may be done.  Breivik's massacre in Norway underscores such an observation.

I see a more 'subtle' example in my own experience, for currently, while medical certificates from a 'chief physician' demand that I be provided housing that's free of either chemical or microbiological contamination, well-ventilated, both my landlord and other city organs have forced my stay in badly contaminated settings.  One medical certificate even spoke of the 'worst possible' consequences should exposure to contamination continue, and an environmental consultant's survey found my present apartment "life threatening" for me.  Yet, though an x-ray even revealed suspected "obstructive elements" in my lungs, what is in my opinion a knowing and ongoing charade continues.

Naturally, some readers might be tempted to wonder if this wasn't just a rare exception, if things could really be 'so bad', if this kind of conduct towards 'outsiders' could truly be a significant problem...and, events I've witnessed do defy belief.  But sadly, the 20 January Svenska Dagbladet (SvD), Sweden 's big conservative paper, headlined "Vi bor sämre än djur här" ('We live worse than animals here'), and while that was on housing outside Stockholm, immigrants have also been reported living in even worse housing in other areas.

Again, if one is viewed as an adversary -- especially one that's even taking the money from poor old pensioners, recalling the SD TV commercial -- then much that's unthinkable might somehow be seen as legitimate, with such feelings perhaps held by some towards any foreigners.  And Merriam-Webster does define xenophobia as "fear and hatred of strangers or foreigners..."

It goes without saying that societal pain, especially economic pain, fans the flames of such feelings, with UK extremist groups rising notably in recent years, the actual flames of London and elsewhere providing a further measure of the anger and desperation seething through many, existing suffering cutting across the political spectrum.  As exemplified by recent events, increasing numbers of individuals are seeing extreme actions as justified.

Earlier, my landlord had confiscated all of my belongings, including artworks by Albin Amelin and others.  While a leading Swedish legal scholar has written how there was no legal basis for this, I have never seen the belongings since, nor received a kroner in compensation.  But then again, I am a 'stranger', and one in the Nordic region, a region where the "Nordic far-right is now so entrenched in the political establishment that experts say the 'extreme' label is no longer suitable."

Norway's massacre and Mr. Breivik arguably provide a severe example of how nightmarish xenophobia can be, though my own experience seems to suggest that I too have seen some harsher aspects of this. 

As the Courts are the supposed guarantor of an individual's rights, the importance of their conduct cannot be overstated.  The manner in which a nation's courts interpret law is arguably the law, regardless of what may appear as text in any act or regulation. 

In my recently decided court case, I  lost, despite the fact that the Court found I indeed had been severely injured by my landlord's flat.  The primary reason the Court gave was that they found that my landlord, Kopparstaden AB, the municipal housing firm here, had not been negligent. Local papers noted that this judgement was based upon the particular weight that was given to Kopparstaden's own testimony.

The largest paper, Falu Kuriren (FK), wrote: "What surprises Söderman (my attorney) is that the district court put so much emphasis on what Kopparstaden's own employees testified in court.
- This action is built on that it is precisely those employees who have misbehaved, so they are talking in their own cause."

FK added that "All witnesses are sworn, of course, but according to Ake Söderman it's usually the case that the testimony of the parties to the proceedings is considered relatively lightly. Instead, it is independent witnesses, expert reports and medical and forensic evidence that should have the largest weight in law."

I personally saw as quite notable a part of the Court's decision which seems to decide that my apartment full of belongings cannot be considered injured.  This finding appeared primarily based upon testimony that a Kopparstaden expert and three colleagues could not 'smell' any problem with a sole 'cushion'. 

While such a finding seems remarkable in itself, more remarkable is that nowhere does the decision cite that two separate 'chief physicians' wrote medical certificates regarding the contamination of the property, one specifically ordering that I could "not use" it because of that contamination, the other supporting this.  Perhaps even more remarkable still, the second 'chief physician' is a full professor and an expert brought in by Swedish courts themselves to advise the judiciary in these very kinds of questions.  Yet, neither of their opinions or certificates was cited in the decision on my property.

To her credit, one Swedish journalist covering the story became particularly upset about the decision, asking "how can this be?" 

I can only speculate on what those Swedish judges that decided the case were thinking, and - for assorted reasons - will not do so.  However, at the beginning of this article was a paragraph where I did cite Swedish legal scholar Eric Bylander on the court system, and will again here, leaving it to readers to decide the relevancy of Bylander's observations...
Professor Bylander observed that political changes here might mean Swedish courts could be used as "a political arena in a way that hasn't been common in Sweden".   Bylander also spoke of the potentially chilling effect that might have on those of foreign origins.

As I write this, some might describe my circumstances as extreme -- my health is gone, and Kopparstaden is trying to force my return to an apartment that medical orders prohibit, but, which the Court seems poised to effectively demand.  Though the flat in question even made two of those inspecting it ill, and regulations appear to state it should be condemned, the local health department refuses to, and efforts are under way to attempt to force me there.  

In my present flat I had coughed blood all winter.  And while there are excellent laws to ensure a healthy living environment for Swedish tenants, to ensure their immediate relocation from a bad flat, I can only note that these laws' benefits seem beyond my reach.  And, I am a journalist with an international voice, that fact alone depicting the harsh reality of present times, suggesting the possible implications for others of foreign origin here. 

If it seems as though many of the circumstances described are difficult to even imagine, I agree...except perhaps in the context of another era.  

Authors Bio:
I am an American investigative political journalist living in Sweden, and have lived in Sweden since July 1997. My work has appeared fairly widely, including in America's Christian Science Monitor, Spain's El Mundo, Sweden's Aftonbladet, Austria's Wiener Zeitung, and a number of other global media outlets. I personally believe the news media's role includes the protection of Democracy, providing a nation's citizens with the facts they require to genuinely appreciate the circumstances surrounding them.

I have been particularly fortunate in that sometimes it's been apparent my efforts have made a difference. Under the proper circumstances, the revelation of an untold truth can provide a powerful tool in the arsenal of Justice.

In 2002, Wikipedia highlights I broke the news on a Bush administration program to recruit more Americans to be 'citizen spies' than the notorious East German Stasi had. The program, Operation TIPS, was fortunately killed within the week by then House Majority Leader Dick Armey. Following this, I had the honor of having one of my articles read in its entirety on the floor of Congress, an article revealing a drift towards martial law and internment camps. The article - titled "Foundations are in place for martial law in the US" and published in Australia's Sydney Morning Herald - was written at a time when, in retrospect, many of the decisions then taken by the Administration have since been regretted, its 'torture questions' not least among them.

On a daily basis, headlines shout the many problems we face, with my seeing a key job for us all in sorting the news that's 'real' from those many items which only serve to effectively distract us from it. As ever larger numbers of us increasingly feel the weight of those many unanswered questions we have for too long carried, be assured that the necessary truths, the answers, are out there.

From my own experience, I am too well aware of the tremendous injustice that our present circumstances can hold, but simply complaining about things won't change them. We, the people, were once the rationale for the creation of that great democratic experiment called The United States of America, and there's no avoiding that what happens to our Country is indeed yet up to us.