Neglected preventive work to counteract ethnic discrimination in decision-making

Each agency is supposed to strive to ensure equal treatment and counteract discrimination in its operations. However, there have been indications of ethnic discrimination in connection with decisions by agencies that affect individuals.

For example, some groups are more likely to have their applications for support, compensation and benefits rejected, or are more frequently subjected to checks and interventions on erroneous grounds.

This risks not only having a severe impact on the individual – it also means that central government resources are not being used appropriately or effectively. For example, this can impair precision in decisions concerning support or checks. It may also undermine confidence in the central government.

The Swedish National Audit Office has therefore examined seven government agencies’ efforts to counteract ethnic discrimination in decisions affecting individuals. The overall conclusion is that such efforts are not effective.

The shortcomings are mainly found in identifying and preventing risks of discrimination. While the agencies are well prepared to act on lodged complaints, their preventive efforts are limited and not founded on any analysis of their own operations.

Besides, no follow-up is performed of any measures taken to assess their adequacy. While some agencies have embarked on more systematic work on risk identification and management, this is still in the early stages.

“The agencies’ work is essentially event-driven. Action on their part often requires a lodged complaint or a court ruling. However, discrimination can be difficult for the victim to detect and prove,” says Dorian Francis, Project Leader for the audit.

Furthermore, the audit also shows that the Equality Ombudsman does not push agencies to counteract risks of ethnic discrimination in their decisions. Few of the complaints received by the Equality Ombudsman concern decisions that fall within its review mandate. Even in cases where the Equality Ombudsman has been able to conduct supervision, this has not resulted in any consequences for the agencies in cases of ethnic discrimination.

Likewise, the Equality Ombudsman’s promotive work has not clearly influenced agencies in terms of identifying and managing risks of discrimination.

“If the central government’s efforts are to be effective, agencies’ preventive efforts need to improve. Our assessment is that the Government needs to ensure that agencies shoulder their responsibility in this respect,” says Deputy Auditor General Claudia Gardberg Morner.

The seven agencies covered by the audit are the Public Employment Service, the Social Insurance Agency, the Prison and Probation Service, the Enforcement Authority, the Police Authority, the Tax Agency and the Swedish Customs. However, the Swedish National Audit Office considers that findings and results may be relevant for more agencies that face similar risks of ethnic discrimination in their operations.