The Swedish Committee Against Antisemitism (SCAA)
Origins :
The Swedish Committee Against Antisemitism (Svenska Kommittén Mot Antisemitism, SKMA) was formed in 1983 in the wake of the surge of antisemitism that occurred in the early 1980s. During the late 1980s, SCAA disclosed anti-Jewish propaganda spread by the community radio station Radio Islam. SCAA’s report to Sweden’s Attorney General resulted in charges being brought against Radio Islam’s controller who was later convicted of several counts of inciting race hate. Since 1996, Radio Islam has been spreading hatred of Jews through the internet with almost the same antisemitic message as before, something that SCAA has many times drawn attention to. In the 1990s, Sweden experienced a stark antisemitic surge in connection with the increase in extremist far-right activity. Through advocacy, training and reports, SCAA highlighted the proliferation of Holocaust-denial propaganda and the dissemination of racist white power music. SCAA played an important role in the implementation of the Government’s Living History information campaign (1997-2003), and today continues to work closely with the governmental Living History Forum. In recent years, antisemitism has become more visible both in Europe and globally; a development that has also left its mark on Sweden. Through its articles, newsletters and training seminars, SCAA continues to highlight and combat anti-Jewish hate crimes and antisemitic propaganda.
Aims:
The SCAA is dedicated to combating antisemitism in Sweden through education, advocacy, monitoring, and public engagement. They aim to promote a society free from prejudice, discrimination, and hatred against Jews.
Actions :
Monitoring and Documentation: SKMA monitors and documents incidents of antisemitism in Sweden, including hate crimes, hate speech, and other forms of discrimination. They analyze and report on trends, patterns, and challenges related to antisemitism.
Education and Awareness: SKMA conducts educational programs and awareness campaigns to inform the public about antisemitism, its history, and its contemporary manifestations. They collaborate with schools, universities, and community organizations to provide resources, training, and workshops on combating antisemitism.
Advocacy and Policy Influence: SKMA actively engages in advocacy efforts to influence public policy, promote legislation against antisemitism, and encourage authorities to address and respond effectively to incidents of antisemitism. They work with government bodies, civil society organizations, and relevant stakeholders to shape public discourse and policies.
Cooperation and Networks: SKMA collaborates with national and international organizations, institutions, and networks that focus on combating antisemitism. They work together to share knowledge, best practices, and resources to strengthen the collective efforts against antisemitism.
Public Engagement: SKMA organizes public events, conferences, and lectures to engage the wider community in discussions about antisemitism, tolerance, and diversity. They aim to foster dialogue, challenge stereotypes, and promote understanding between different communities.