Civil rights expert warns of risks in Swedish detention centers

John Stauffer, chief legal officer at Civil Rights Defenders, has expressed concern that more teenagers could die in Swedish detention centers following the suicide of a teenager in a Gothenburg facility. Stauffer argues that the state has failed in its responsibility to provide adequate care for detainees with serious mental health issues, noting that current requirements for individuals to submit written requests for medical help are insufficient for those in psychological distress.

An investigation by Aftonbladet suggests that the detention center missed several instances of life-threatening mental illness. Stauffer emphasized that the state must guarantee the well-being of those in its custody to meet international human rights standards.