Sweden’s Ambassador for Human Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law, Irina Schoulgin-Nyoni, began a four-day visit to Bangladesh to hold talks with high government officials, civil society representatives and others to promote democratic values in the country.

During her visit from 11-14 November, Ambassador Schoulgin-Nyoni will meet with representatives of the interim government, civil society organizations, development partners, students and media actors.

The visit will focus on key human rights issues, including the rights and empowerment of women and girls, freedom of expression and media freedom, and the role of civil society in promoting democratic values, said a press release of the Embassy of Sweden Dhaka.

Sweden has a long-standing commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights globally, reflected in its decision to appoint an ambassador dedicated to human rights.

The Ambassador’s mandate includes advocating for human rights in bilateral and multilateral contexts, engaging with stakeholders around the world, and supporting Sweden’s foreign policy priorities in areas such as gender equality, democracy, and rule of law.

Sweden’s engagement is both principled and practical. In Bangladesh, Sweden works actively to support human rights through development cooperation, political dialogue, and partnerships with civil society.

A concrete example is Sweden’s support to initiatives that strengthen the rights and agency of women and girls – from efforts to combat gender-based violence to promoting access to education and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

The visit also highlights Sweden’s strategic partnership with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). This collaboration began prior to the July uprising and was further strengthened through OHCHR’s fact-finding mission, which produced key recommendations to advance human rights in Bangladesh.

Sweden supports the implementation of several of these recommendations, including efforts to strengthen national institutions, promote accountability, and nurture civil society.

A key milestone was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of Bangladesh and OHCHR in July 2025, establishing the country’s first dedicated OHCHR Mission – grounded in impartiality, independence, and respect for the rule of law.

With flexible funding from Sweden, OHCHR has been able to maintain its presence and deliver concrete results. This includes support to the Commission of Inquiry on enforced disappearances, which has documented nearly 2,000 cases.

Together, Sweden and OHCHR continue to promote justice, gender equality, and inclusive civic space – including support to the National Human Rights Commission, legal reform efforts, and the empowerment of emerging civil society actors, particularly youth.