Sample questions: Human rights
The UN declaration, the discrimination act, gender equality, children's rights and minorities.
After the Second World War 51 countries founded the United Nations in 1945, and in 1948 the UN presented the Universal Declaration of Human Rights with 30 articles. In Sweden the Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination on grounds including sex, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation and disability; the Equality Ombudsman (DO) makes sure the act is followed. Gender equality means women and men shall have the same rights, obligations and power. Sweden has a consent law, and buying sex is illegal while selling it is not. The Convention on the Rights of the Child has been Swedish law since 2020, and in 1979 Sweden became the first country in the world to ban the physical punishment of children. In 2000 Jews, Roma, Sami, Sweden Finns and Tornedalians were recognised as national minorities; the Sami are also a recognised indigenous people and have the Sami Parliament. Crimes with a hate motive carry a harsher penalty.
The questions below are written by Medborgarklar for practice. They are not taken from a real test, they are not published by UHR, and we do not claim they have appeared in a sitting.
8 questions with answers and explanations
What does discrimination mean, according to the study material?
- AThat the state is religiously neutral
- BThat some people are treated worse than others
- CThat you have the right to express your opinion
- DThat everyone is treated equally before the law
Correct answer: B. That some people are treated worse than others
Why: Discrimination means that some people are treated worse than others. It is a violation of human rights. The Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination on grounds including sex, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or disability.
What is the aim of Sweden's work for gender equality?
- AThat women shall have more rights than men
- BThat women and men shall have the same rights, obligations and equal power
- CThat men shall have more rights than women
- DThat the state shall decide which occupations women may have
Correct answer: B. That women and men shall have the same rights, obligations and equal power
Why: Sweden's gender equality policy means that women and men shall have the same rights and obligations and equal power to influence society and their own lives.
In which year did the UN present the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?
- A1948
- B1951
- C1945
- D1979
Correct answer: A. 1948
Why: The UN presented the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. It contains 30 articles.
How many articles does the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights contain?
- A51
- B10
- C100
- D30
Correct answer: D. 30
Why: The declaration contains 30 provisions called articles. It states that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.
What does the Swedish Discrimination Act prohibit?
- ATreating people worse because of, for example, sex, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or disability
- BForming associations
- CCriticising public authorities
- DChanging employer
Correct answer: A. Treating people worse because of, for example, sex, age, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or disability
Why: The Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination on grounds of sex, gender identity or expression, age, ethnicity, religion or other belief, disability and sexual orientation.
Which authority ensures that the Discrimination Act is followed?
- AThe Enforcement Authority
- BThe Tax Agency
- CThe Chancellor of Justice (JK)
- DThe Equality Ombudsman (DO)
Correct answer: D. The Equality Ombudsman (DO)
Why: The Equality Ombudsman (DO) is a state authority that works for equal rights and opportunities for all and ensures the Discrimination Act is followed.
Since which year has the Convention on the Rights of the Child been law in Sweden?
- A1979
- B2020
- C2000
- D2009
Correct answer: B. 2020
Why: Since 2020 the Convention on the Rights of the Child has been law in Sweden. Authorities, courts, municipalities and regions must apply it.
In which year did Sweden become the first country in the world to ban hitting children?
- A2020
- B1979
- C1995
- D1948
Correct answer: B. 1979
Why: In 1979 Sweden became the first country in the world to decide that hitting children is prohibited. Today around 70 countries have banned violence against children.