Swedish Parliament Rejects Bid to Ban Eritrea's 2% Tax

Swedish-Eritrean protesters holding a sign that reads "I pay 2% with joy and pride" 

Swedish Parliament Rejects Bid to Ban Eritrea's 2% tax


Swedish parliament rejected a bid to ban Eritrea's voluntary 2% recovery and development tax on Swedish-Eritreans, according to Swedish media.

Based on the parliament's findings, the 2% issue for Swedish-Eritreans has been decided legal and said that they have no valid grounds to make it illegal.

"There is no evidence against that would require Sweden to change the law." Swedish parliament said, in a 7-page report released online.

They also stated that if the 2% tax has been used illegally, then the person that is effected can report it to the police, thus it becomes a case for criminal courts

The parliament also added that the tax issue might have been used as a pretext to pressure and blackmail the Eritrean government because of the Dawit Isaac issue, a complaint many Eritreans in the country have made.

Are Swedish-Eritrean relations improving?

There seems to be a thaw in Swedish-Eritrean relations of late, despite no public signs by Eritrea to change its position on Dawit Isaac, a man of dual Swedish-Eritrean citizenship who was detained for treason.

Recently, Eritrea appointed an ambassador to Scandinavia for the first time after 9 years. On its part, Sweden appointed Germany's ambassador to Eritrea, Viktor Richter, as the Swedish Honorary Consul in Asmara.

Whether Sweden is genuinely trying to mend its relations with Eritrea after trying to sabotage its development drive for the last 10 years remains to be seen. However, these small steps are a encouraging sign of relations heading in the right direction.

Despite Sweden's hostility towards Eritrea, many Swedish people, particularly the youth, support Eritrea - Uppsala, Sweden

Swedish citizens come out to support Eritrea's 2% voluntary tax and against the demonization of Eritrea in Swedish media - Uppsala, Sweden

Swedish-Eritrean protesting in favor of 2% voluntary tax and against media demonetization of Eritrea in  Sweden -Uppsala, Sweden

Swedish-Eritrean protesting in favor of 2% voluntary tax and against demonetization of Eritrea in Swedish media - Uppsala, Sweden

Swedish-Eritrean protesting in favor of 2% voluntary tax and against demonetization of Eritrea in Swedish media -Uppsala, Sweden

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