Yesterday, in my capacity as Chairman of the Friendship Group Sweden–Central Asia in the Riksdag, I organized a seminar in Parliament with more than 120 participants, entitled: “Uzbekistan’s Experience in Countering Religious Extremism, Promoting Interreligious Dialogue, and Reintegrating Former Members of International Terrorist Organizations.”
A distinguished delegation from Uzbekistan participated, including Mr. Nuriddin Kholiknazar, Grand Mufti of Uzbekistan; Ms. Lyudmila Schmidt, Head of the German Lutheran Church in Uzbekistan; Mr. Arkadiy Isakharov, Head of the Jewish Community in Uzbekistan; Mr. Davronbek Makhsudov, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Religious Affairs; and Mr. Odiljon Ernazarov, Head of Department at the Islamic Studies Academy.
Also participating from Uzbekistan was Ms. Dilnor Normatova, a woman formerly associated with a terrorist organization in the Middle East, who has been repatriated and successfully reintegrated in Uzbekistan under the humanitarian operation “Mehr.”
From the Swedish side, participants included H.E. Mr. Christian Kamill, Ambassador of Sweden and Special Envoy for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue; Dr. Svante E. Cornell, Co-founder and Director of the Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP); and Mr. Tomas Koppelman Hellgren, Superintendent in the Stockholm County Police and counter-terrorism expert.
Following introductory remarks from several speakers, a panel discussion was held. Questions from the audience were also raised and addressed by the panel.
My dear friend, H.E. Mr. Nurmuhammad Rahmatulloh, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Sweden, delivered the closing remarks.
After the seminar, the delegation held a separate meeting with me and the Second Deputy Speaker, Mrs. Julia Kronlid.
Since we, as Members of Parliament, receive very limited support from the Riksdag Administration when organizing seminars, I am extremely grateful for the assistance provided by the Embassy of Uzbekistan, which made this event possible. There appears to be a lack of understanding within the Administration that its role is to support elected representatives—not the other way around.
It is, however, a serious concern that the Riksdag risks embarrassing itself in front of international delegations due to the way guests are received and treated. This must be addressed. The Administration’s lack of awareness of the consequences is a significant problem. After all, it is the image of Sweden that we present to the outside world.
BJÖRN SÖDER
