There is an invisible border between the two halves of the lake - our side was where the families are hanging out, dogs and kids, etc. The other side is for nudists. You might see some of them in the back just above Joe's right ear.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Mission completed!
We found a lake today. And a very nice one at that! Just 25 minutes outside of Bratislava, clean, clear and cool, deep, perfect. Summer is saved and we will not melt away.
There is an invisible border between the two halves of the lake - our side was where the families are hanging out, dogs and kids, etc. The other side is for nudists. You might see some of them in the back just above Joe's right ear.
There is an invisible border between the two halves of the lake - our side was where the families are hanging out, dogs and kids, etc. The other side is for nudists. You might see some of them in the back just above Joe's right ear.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
More photos from the Bachelorette!!
Surprise at the airport
Emma and Sophia in the taxi from the airport shouting along with the Shoop Shoop Song and the taxi driver looking VERY content having two blonds in the back!
Celebration cigars at the balcony
One meter of Slovak beer
Me the next morning on the balcony (should I wear this one for the wedding?!)
Surprise dinner at the balcony of a restaurant overlooking the opera - lovely view, and fun all night long!
Emma and Sophia in the taxi from the airport shouting along with the Shoop Shoop Song and the taxi driver looking VERY content having two blonds in the back!
Celebration cigars at the balcony
One meter of Slovak beer
Me the next morning on the balcony (should I wear this one for the wedding?!)
Surprise dinner at the balcony of a restaurant overlooking the opera - lovely view, and fun all night long!
Midsummer in Bratislava
Stina and Jens visited for a couple of days. Considering how hot it was the whole time, it is incredible that we actually managed to visit and see so many different parts of both Bratislava, Budapest and Vienna in less than 4 days!!
Such as the national Slovak radio house which is constructed like an inverted pyramid, and is really cool (and empty) inside!
The "beach" at the river bank of the Danube - nice mojitos (but unfortunately not so good for swimming)!
And a Midsummer FEAST on the balcony with herrings and snaps (Joe was practicing Swedish drinking songs to prepare for the wedding...). Note the dammsugare from IKEA in the bowl of strawberries - jummy!
Vienna - Having an (expensive) morning coffee at one of the old cafes. Heute's mein Tag was playing on the radio.
And a lot of hanging out in the parks as the heat really got to us
Budapest - we traveled with the Landrover and stayed in a pension on the Buda side, which felt like the country side really. Bus number 8 makes for an interesting ride and takes you straight to the Pest side in no time..!
We visited the statue park where they have kept some of the old statues from the communist time, quite impressive. And sweaty.
Stina with an old Trabant (which she managed to damage while checking out the engine in the front..)
The first day we visited one of the old nice thermal baths which is in the City Park to cool off. The second day we visited a big pool area on the Margaret Island in the middle of the Danube - which was less nice, and crowded as hell, but it did the trick to avoid heat stroke. Had to stand in a line for 20 minutes or so first though.
Jens surprised Stina with a giant Chocolate BUN that lasted for two days..!
We'll meet again next week in Gothenburg...SPRINGSTEEEEEEEN!!!!!!!
Such as the national Slovak radio house which is constructed like an inverted pyramid, and is really cool (and empty) inside!
The "beach" at the river bank of the Danube - nice mojitos (but unfortunately not so good for swimming)!
And a Midsummer FEAST on the balcony with herrings and snaps (Joe was practicing Swedish drinking songs to prepare for the wedding...). Note the dammsugare from IKEA in the bowl of strawberries - jummy!
Vienna - Having an (expensive) morning coffee at one of the old cafes. Heute's mein Tag was playing on the radio.
And a lot of hanging out in the parks as the heat really got to us
Budapest - we traveled with the Landrover and stayed in a pension on the Buda side, which felt like the country side really. Bus number 8 makes for an interesting ride and takes you straight to the Pest side in no time..!
We visited the statue park where they have kept some of the old statues from the communist time, quite impressive. And sweaty.
Stina with an old Trabant (which she managed to damage while checking out the engine in the front..)
The first day we visited one of the old nice thermal baths which is in the City Park to cool off. The second day we visited a big pool area on the Margaret Island in the middle of the Danube - which was less nice, and crowded as hell, but it did the trick to avoid heat stroke. Had to stand in a line for 20 minutes or so first though.
Jens surprised Stina with a giant Chocolate BUN that lasted for two days..!
We'll meet again next week in Gothenburg...SPRINGSTEEEEEEEN!!!!!!!
Check out photos on Jens' blog
From his and Stina's visit here in Brati (and Budapest and Vienna).
http://swejens.blogspot.com/
My photos will follow soon!
http://swejens.blogspot.com/
My photos will follow soon!
Monday, June 09, 2008
MÖHIPPA!! Surprise bachelorette party!!
They did it again..(remember Stockholm last year)!!! A master surprise! What a BLAST!!
Friday afternoon me and Joe went to the airport according to the plan - to pick up my dear uncle and aunt Irene and Lars...Waited for a while..lots of Swedes arriving from Stockholm but they were not among them, strange. In the distance I see a whole group of people leaving the arrival hall with Swedish flags in their hands...now that is a bit corny I though...but maybe they are here for the Football European Championship in Vienna, and after all, it was the 6th of June - Sweden's National Holiday, well well...and there is one guy who has the exact same shirt as Johnny, and but HEY wait - It IS Johnny..! And with him - Sara, Linda, Sophia, Emma, Micke, Magnus and Andreas!!
SURPRISE!! Time to celebrate..! What can I say? It was simply wonderful and incredibly well planned. Such as...dinner on our balcony with herring, snaps, fresh potatoes, Sophia' famous pie, lots of beer - you name it - all brought from Sweden! They had even done a super cute booklet with snaps songs! I was totally overwhelmed and touched and could hardly even speak for a couple of hours...they are just too fantastic! Could you ask for a better family and friends? I love these guys!!
That was only the beginning of what turned out to be a fantastic bachelorette party! Unfortunately Joe had to travel to New York the morning after, but he really enjoyed Friday night! Dinner on balcony was followed with bar crawl and the next morning a lovely champagne breakfast where they put a princess tiara on my head...and then took me for a couple of adventures which lasted until they left on Sunday afternoon..! So much fun! Unfortunately I don't have any photos of me on the camera - but I promise they took lots! And I have a scary feeling some of them will show up at the wedding...
Friday afternoon me and Joe went to the airport according to the plan - to pick up my dear uncle and aunt Irene and Lars...Waited for a while..lots of Swedes arriving from Stockholm but they were not among them, strange. In the distance I see a whole group of people leaving the arrival hall with Swedish flags in their hands...now that is a bit corny I though...but maybe they are here for the Football European Championship in Vienna, and after all, it was the 6th of June - Sweden's National Holiday, well well...and there is one guy who has the exact same shirt as Johnny, and but HEY wait - It IS Johnny..! And with him - Sara, Linda, Sophia, Emma, Micke, Magnus and Andreas!!
SURPRISE!! Time to celebrate..! What can I say? It was simply wonderful and incredibly well planned. Such as...dinner on our balcony with herring, snaps, fresh potatoes, Sophia' famous pie, lots of beer - you name it - all brought from Sweden! They had even done a super cute booklet with snaps songs! I was totally overwhelmed and touched and could hardly even speak for a couple of hours...they are just too fantastic! Could you ask for a better family and friends? I love these guys!!
That was only the beginning of what turned out to be a fantastic bachelorette party! Unfortunately Joe had to travel to New York the morning after, but he really enjoyed Friday night! Dinner on balcony was followed with bar crawl and the next morning a lovely champagne breakfast where they put a princess tiara on my head...and then took me for a couple of adventures which lasted until they left on Sunday afternoon..! So much fun! Unfortunately I don't have any photos of me on the camera - but I promise they took lots! And I have a scary feeling some of them will show up at the wedding...
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
I regularly check out the blog of Margot Wallström...
...who is the Vice President of the European Commission in charge of Institutional Relations and Communication. She is Swedish, but writing from a truly European perspective, highlighting issues from - and reflecting over things happening all over Europe: http://blogs.ec.europa.eu/wallstrom/a-call-for-action/. This time she is writing about the fact that the possible candidates for the top EU posts next year all seem to be men.
A Call for Action
Today, 12:49 PM
I have been reading a lot recently – as I’m sure you have – about the possible candidates for the top EU posts next year. There will be Presidents appointed for the European Commission and the European Parliament and, if the Lisbon Treaty is ratified, there will be the posts of President of the European Council and a High Representative in Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. I have been struck by the fact that all of the people mentioned in the media are men. Indeed a recent article in Le Monde asked ‘which three men for Europe?’
In 50 years there has never been a female President of the Commission and only two female Presidents of the Parliament. I have been writing and speaking about the need for equal representation of women in politics since January this year when The Times first published my views on the matter. Last week I wrote articles in Le Monde, Le Soir and the Financial Times and I have since given a number of interviews on the subject to various media around Europe.
In the FT article I called on Heads of State and government, leaders of all the European political parties, social partners and civil society to engage in an active campaign to increase the presence of women actively engaged for Europe. A Call for Action which aims at:
1. Ensuring the equal representation of women among the top posts to be appointed next year.
2. Increasing the presence of women on the lists for the European elections
3. Increasing the women voter turn-out in the European Parliament election in June 2009.
These articles seem to have struck a chord in certain quarters. I was very pleased to see that the European Womens Lobby responded strongly, saying that they will be launching in autumn 2008 a European-wide, cross party campaign, urging all decision-makers, individuals and organisations interested in the promotion of democracy and justice to support this initiative at all levels and across the boundaries of countries and political parties.
They say (and I agree) that “The current under-representation of women in decision-making at all levels while they represent more than half of the population is a serious obstacle to the legitimacy of our European democracies and the European Union. And one that undermines all attempts to promote a more inclusive and participatory democracy.”
Mark Mardell of the BBC also wrote about the issue in his blog and has attracted a large number of comments.
It is not about a shortage of capable women, but rather a question of men choosing men.
As I argued in the FT - it is high time we break the “male cartel” in politics. It is not a question of whether women would do better than men – although they would certainly do equally well – but they would do things differently. (There is a great quote by cartoonist Bob Thaves: “Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but she did it backwards and in high heels.”)
Women and men with their different knowledge and experience complement each other.
Let me be clear - I am not addressing this Call for Action exclusively at women. It is in mens’ interests that women should be equally represented in politics. Including women in the decision making process is about democratic representation. Nothing more, and nothing less.
A Call for Action
Today, 12:49 PM
I have been reading a lot recently – as I’m sure you have – about the possible candidates for the top EU posts next year. There will be Presidents appointed for the European Commission and the European Parliament and, if the Lisbon Treaty is ratified, there will be the posts of President of the European Council and a High Representative in Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. I have been struck by the fact that all of the people mentioned in the media are men. Indeed a recent article in Le Monde asked ‘which three men for Europe?’
In 50 years there has never been a female President of the Commission and only two female Presidents of the Parliament. I have been writing and speaking about the need for equal representation of women in politics since January this year when The Times first published my views on the matter. Last week I wrote articles in Le Monde, Le Soir and the Financial Times and I have since given a number of interviews on the subject to various media around Europe.
In the FT article I called on Heads of State and government, leaders of all the European political parties, social partners and civil society to engage in an active campaign to increase the presence of women actively engaged for Europe. A Call for Action which aims at:
1. Ensuring the equal representation of women among the top posts to be appointed next year.
2. Increasing the presence of women on the lists for the European elections
3. Increasing the women voter turn-out in the European Parliament election in June 2009.
These articles seem to have struck a chord in certain quarters. I was very pleased to see that the European Womens Lobby responded strongly, saying that they will be launching in autumn 2008 a European-wide, cross party campaign, urging all decision-makers, individuals and organisations interested in the promotion of democracy and justice to support this initiative at all levels and across the boundaries of countries and political parties.
They say (and I agree) that “The current under-representation of women in decision-making at all levels while they represent more than half of the population is a serious obstacle to the legitimacy of our European democracies and the European Union. And one that undermines all attempts to promote a more inclusive and participatory democracy.”
Mark Mardell of the BBC also wrote about the issue in his blog and has attracted a large number of comments.
It is not about a shortage of capable women, but rather a question of men choosing men.
As I argued in the FT - it is high time we break the “male cartel” in politics. It is not a question of whether women would do better than men – although they would certainly do equally well – but they would do things differently. (There is a great quote by cartoonist Bob Thaves: “Remember, Ginger Rogers did everything Fred Astaire did, but she did it backwards and in high heels.”)
Women and men with their different knowledge and experience complement each other.
Let me be clear - I am not addressing this Call for Action exclusively at women. It is in mens’ interests that women should be equally represented in politics. Including women in the decision making process is about democratic representation. Nothing more, and nothing less.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Just idag känner jag mig inte alls stolt över att vara svensk
Snarare tvärtom.
Idag beslutade ju riksdagen att "papperslösa", det vill säga utlänningar som befinner sig illegalt i Sverige inte har rätt till fri akutvård i Sverige.
Får väl hoppas att det är så som Maciej Zaremba skriver i dagens DN att
"Majoriteten av Sveriges landsting har redan beslutat sig för att inte följa den här lagen som undantar de papperslösa. Riksdagen har tydligen inte auktoritet i frågan eller har fattat ett beslut som strider mot vad människor i vården anser vara rätt och riktigt..." och vidare att "Vi har fått veta från Läkarförbundet, Vårdförbundet och från en mängd enskilda läkare att den är helt oförenlig med deras etik. Det enda som gäller för en läkare är medicinska kriterier, inte personens status eller vad en minister eller till och med en riksdag har för synpunkter."
Tänk om världen kunde bestå av fler läkare och lite färre politiker!!
Här följer ett tal som hölls av Eva Nilsson Bågenholm och Thomas Flodin, ordförande i Läkarförbundets etik och ansvarsråd i Göteborg och Stockholm tidigare i år:
Läkare ska självklart alltid se till varje patients bästa. Det vill säga att ge vård utifrån medicinska behov. Men svenska lagar och regler vill få oss till någonting annat. Till att särbehandla några av samhällets mest utsatta människor. Denna kränkning strider mot läkarnas fundamentala yrkesetik.
Sverige måste ge papperslösa och asylsökande tillgång till vård på lika villkor som övriga invånare. Papperslösa lever i dag i Sverige utan rättigheter till subventionerad sjukvård. Papperslösa, det vill säga människor som befinner sig i Sverige utan tillstånd att vistas här, har endast möjlighet att få omedelbar vård och måste dessutom betala de faktiska kostnaderna för denna. Detta innebär att en grupp människor med begränsade ekonomiska resurser, som är marginaliserade och lever i utsatthet, inte har råd att söka vård och kan bli nekade vård om de inte kan betala.
Många lever på minimala inkomster från svart arbete under odrägliga villkor eller av sporadiska gåvor. En del är ytterst fattiga. Om man kräver full ersättning av dem är det samma sak som att ställa dem utan möjlighet till vård.
En undersökning i Stockholms läns landsting visar att om dessa grupper istället får tillgång till vård så minskar faktiskt vårdkostnaderna. Det innebär att färre patienter behöver lida i onödan och kostnaderna för dyr akutvård minskar.
Dagens verklighet får ofta ödesdigra konsekvenser för den som inte vågar söka vård i rädsla att bli gripen av polisen eller som inte har råd att betala. Det innebär exempelvis att papperslösa diabetiker inte fått insulin och att gravida kvinnor har nekats mödravård. Patienter med cancer har vägrats strålbehandling. Personer med smittsamma sjukdomar har inte följs upp på ett sätt som hindrar smittspridning. Till detta kommer det lidande som individer och hela familjer utsätts för.
Det finns goda föredömen. Sahlgrenska Universitetssjukhuset är ett exempel.
Förra sommaren fattade sjukhusets styrelse ett beslut, som grundar sig på medicinsk etik och inte på migrationspolitik: ”– gömda flyktingar och andra patienter ska få akut och annan omedelbart nödvändig vård vid Sahlgrenska Universitetssjukhuset, oavsett betalningsförmåga”. Sahlgrenskas beslut har inneburit att utsatta patienter som papperslösa och gömda har vågat söka vård. Samtidigt som personalen fått ett tydligt stöd att ge vård som helt kan grunda sig på vetenskap och beprövad erfarenhet, mänskliga rättigheter och yrkesetik. Sahlgrenska Universitetssjukhuset har visat att det är fullt möjligt att bedriva vård för papperslösa i enlighet med medicinsk etik och mänskliga rättigheter. Andra sjukhus överväger nu liknande beslut.
Enligt Migrationsverket och polisen finns i dag mellan 10 000 och 15 000 personer som lever i Sverige utan tillstånd. De har inte tillgång till hälso- och sjukvård. Detta trots att Sverige har förbundit sig att respektera de mänskliga rättligheterna, där rätt till hälso- och sjukvård ingår. Ett förhållande som har kritiserats av både FN och andra internationella organisationer. Sverige har varit delaktig i utformningen av de mänskliga rättigheterna och vi har förbundit oss att respektera dessa rättigheter. Enligt Paul Hunt, FN:s rapportör för rätten till hälsa, bryter Sverige mot flera FN-konventioner. Han uppmanar svenska regeringen att ge papperslösa och asylsökande vård på lika villkor som bosatta i landet.
I dag nekas till och med papperslösa barn rätten till vård på lika villkor om de inte tidigare sökt asyl. Det här bryter mot konventionen om barns rättigheter. Rätten till hälsa är inte en medborgerlig utan en mänsklig rättighet. De flesta andra Europeiska länder har tack och lov en annan inställning än Sverige. I exempelvis Belgien, Spanien och Italien finns lagar som ger papperslösa fri eller subventionerad hälso- och sjukvård. En europeisk undersökning visar att Sverige är näst sämst med Österrike på bottenplats när det gäller att ge vård till papperslösa.
Sveriges regering bildar ingen enhetlig allians i frågan. Endast kristdemokraterna och folkpartiet anser att alla i Sverige ska ha samma vård. Regeringen har lämnat ett nytt lagförslag. Ett förslag som inte förbättrar dagens situation, utan i stället endast omvandlar gällande praxis till lag. Detta står i direkt motsättning till hälso- och sjukvårdslagens krav om vård på lika villkor, där vårdbehovet ska styra tillgången till vården. Förslaget står också i konflikt med lagens krav att alla patienter ska behandlas efter vetenskap och beprövad erfarenhet. Tydligen vill regeringen att det ska accepteras att vissa patientkategorier ska kunna behandlas efter andra principer. Lagförslaget innebär därmed en godtycklighet i bedömningen som försätter patienter i en oförutsägbar och rättslös situation.
Sveriges bristande regelverk sätter läkare i en omöjlig situation. Vi krävs att ta hänsyn till andra skäl än medicinska för att avgöra om en patient skall ha rätt till vård. Det nya lagförslaget tvingar vården att sortera patienter. Först efter denna kategorisering av människor ska sedan eventuella vårdinsatser avgöras.
Migrationsminister Tobias Billström har sagt att sjukvård för papperslösa är en migrationsfråga. Det håller inte Läkarförbundet med om. Det är att politisera denna utsatta grupp människor. Ett ställningstagande för asylsökande och papperslösa flyktingars rätt till vård enbart utifrån medicinska behov innebär inte ett ställningstagande till svensk flyktingpolitik. Det är ett ställningstagande för rätten till hälsa som en mänsklig rättighet.
Därför kräver Läkarförbundet tillsammans med läkarstudenterna samt olika frivilligorganisationer, kyrkor, fack- och yrkesförbund inom vården, att alla invånare - inklusive papperslösa och asylsökande - ska ges laglig rätt till vård på lika villkor.
Jag uppmanar den svenska regeringen att ta sitt ansvar för att papperslösa och asylsökande ska få tillgång till sjukvård i allt väsentligt på lika villkor som övriga invånare. En lagstiftning som särbehandlar eller utestänger vissa grupper av människor är inte förenlig med vare sig grundläggande mänskliga rättigheter eller läkarens yrkesetik.
Tack för att ni lyssnade!
Källa: http://www.slf.se/templates/Page.aspx?id=22022
Idag beslutade ju riksdagen att "papperslösa", det vill säga utlänningar som befinner sig illegalt i Sverige inte har rätt till fri akutvård i Sverige.
Får väl hoppas att det är så som Maciej Zaremba skriver i dagens DN att
"Majoriteten av Sveriges landsting har redan beslutat sig för att inte följa den här lagen som undantar de papperslösa. Riksdagen har tydligen inte auktoritet i frågan eller har fattat ett beslut som strider mot vad människor i vården anser vara rätt och riktigt..." och vidare att "Vi har fått veta från Läkarförbundet, Vårdförbundet och från en mängd enskilda läkare att den är helt oförenlig med deras etik. Det enda som gäller för en läkare är medicinska kriterier, inte personens status eller vad en minister eller till och med en riksdag har för synpunkter."
Tänk om världen kunde bestå av fler läkare och lite färre politiker!!
Här följer ett tal som hölls av Eva Nilsson Bågenholm och Thomas Flodin, ordförande i Läkarförbundets etik och ansvarsråd i Göteborg och Stockholm tidigare i år:
Läkare ska självklart alltid se till varje patients bästa. Det vill säga att ge vård utifrån medicinska behov. Men svenska lagar och regler vill få oss till någonting annat. Till att särbehandla några av samhällets mest utsatta människor. Denna kränkning strider mot läkarnas fundamentala yrkesetik.
Sverige måste ge papperslösa och asylsökande tillgång till vård på lika villkor som övriga invånare. Papperslösa lever i dag i Sverige utan rättigheter till subventionerad sjukvård. Papperslösa, det vill säga människor som befinner sig i Sverige utan tillstånd att vistas här, har endast möjlighet att få omedelbar vård och måste dessutom betala de faktiska kostnaderna för denna. Detta innebär att en grupp människor med begränsade ekonomiska resurser, som är marginaliserade och lever i utsatthet, inte har råd att söka vård och kan bli nekade vård om de inte kan betala.
Många lever på minimala inkomster från svart arbete under odrägliga villkor eller av sporadiska gåvor. En del är ytterst fattiga. Om man kräver full ersättning av dem är det samma sak som att ställa dem utan möjlighet till vård.
En undersökning i Stockholms läns landsting visar att om dessa grupper istället får tillgång till vård så minskar faktiskt vårdkostnaderna. Det innebär att färre patienter behöver lida i onödan och kostnaderna för dyr akutvård minskar.
Dagens verklighet får ofta ödesdigra konsekvenser för den som inte vågar söka vård i rädsla att bli gripen av polisen eller som inte har råd att betala. Det innebär exempelvis att papperslösa diabetiker inte fått insulin och att gravida kvinnor har nekats mödravård. Patienter med cancer har vägrats strålbehandling. Personer med smittsamma sjukdomar har inte följs upp på ett sätt som hindrar smittspridning. Till detta kommer det lidande som individer och hela familjer utsätts för.
Det finns goda föredömen. Sahlgrenska Universitetssjukhuset är ett exempel.
Förra sommaren fattade sjukhusets styrelse ett beslut, som grundar sig på medicinsk etik och inte på migrationspolitik: ”– gömda flyktingar och andra patienter ska få akut och annan omedelbart nödvändig vård vid Sahlgrenska Universitetssjukhuset, oavsett betalningsförmåga”. Sahlgrenskas beslut har inneburit att utsatta patienter som papperslösa och gömda har vågat söka vård. Samtidigt som personalen fått ett tydligt stöd att ge vård som helt kan grunda sig på vetenskap och beprövad erfarenhet, mänskliga rättigheter och yrkesetik. Sahlgrenska Universitetssjukhuset har visat att det är fullt möjligt att bedriva vård för papperslösa i enlighet med medicinsk etik och mänskliga rättigheter. Andra sjukhus överväger nu liknande beslut.
Enligt Migrationsverket och polisen finns i dag mellan 10 000 och 15 000 personer som lever i Sverige utan tillstånd. De har inte tillgång till hälso- och sjukvård. Detta trots att Sverige har förbundit sig att respektera de mänskliga rättligheterna, där rätt till hälso- och sjukvård ingår. Ett förhållande som har kritiserats av både FN och andra internationella organisationer. Sverige har varit delaktig i utformningen av de mänskliga rättigheterna och vi har förbundit oss att respektera dessa rättigheter. Enligt Paul Hunt, FN:s rapportör för rätten till hälsa, bryter Sverige mot flera FN-konventioner. Han uppmanar svenska regeringen att ge papperslösa och asylsökande vård på lika villkor som bosatta i landet.
I dag nekas till och med papperslösa barn rätten till vård på lika villkor om de inte tidigare sökt asyl. Det här bryter mot konventionen om barns rättigheter. Rätten till hälsa är inte en medborgerlig utan en mänsklig rättighet. De flesta andra Europeiska länder har tack och lov en annan inställning än Sverige. I exempelvis Belgien, Spanien och Italien finns lagar som ger papperslösa fri eller subventionerad hälso- och sjukvård. En europeisk undersökning visar att Sverige är näst sämst med Österrike på bottenplats när det gäller att ge vård till papperslösa.
Sveriges regering bildar ingen enhetlig allians i frågan. Endast kristdemokraterna och folkpartiet anser att alla i Sverige ska ha samma vård. Regeringen har lämnat ett nytt lagförslag. Ett förslag som inte förbättrar dagens situation, utan i stället endast omvandlar gällande praxis till lag. Detta står i direkt motsättning till hälso- och sjukvårdslagens krav om vård på lika villkor, där vårdbehovet ska styra tillgången till vården. Förslaget står också i konflikt med lagens krav att alla patienter ska behandlas efter vetenskap och beprövad erfarenhet. Tydligen vill regeringen att det ska accepteras att vissa patientkategorier ska kunna behandlas efter andra principer. Lagförslaget innebär därmed en godtycklighet i bedömningen som försätter patienter i en oförutsägbar och rättslös situation.
Sveriges bristande regelverk sätter läkare i en omöjlig situation. Vi krävs att ta hänsyn till andra skäl än medicinska för att avgöra om en patient skall ha rätt till vård. Det nya lagförslaget tvingar vården att sortera patienter. Först efter denna kategorisering av människor ska sedan eventuella vårdinsatser avgöras.
Migrationsminister Tobias Billström har sagt att sjukvård för papperslösa är en migrationsfråga. Det håller inte Läkarförbundet med om. Det är att politisera denna utsatta grupp människor. Ett ställningstagande för asylsökande och papperslösa flyktingars rätt till vård enbart utifrån medicinska behov innebär inte ett ställningstagande till svensk flyktingpolitik. Det är ett ställningstagande för rätten till hälsa som en mänsklig rättighet.
Därför kräver Läkarförbundet tillsammans med läkarstudenterna samt olika frivilligorganisationer, kyrkor, fack- och yrkesförbund inom vården, att alla invånare - inklusive papperslösa och asylsökande - ska ges laglig rätt till vård på lika villkor.
Jag uppmanar den svenska regeringen att ta sitt ansvar för att papperslösa och asylsökande ska få tillgång till sjukvård i allt väsentligt på lika villkor som övriga invånare. En lagstiftning som särbehandlar eller utestänger vissa grupper av människor är inte förenlig med vare sig grundläggande mänskliga rättigheter eller läkarens yrkesetik.
Tack för att ni lyssnade!
Källa: http://www.slf.se/templates/Page.aspx?id=22022
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Last photos from Kenya
Apparently I also forgot to post these ones...from one of the last parties at Leslie's place (don't worry, she is still throwing parties big time)!
Leslie was so kind to let me stay at her place during my last month in Nairobi. I miss her a lot! Here she is studying French really hard while enjoying a pina colada..!
Hehe, here is a cheesy picture from my little corner of the office. I am indeed posing, yes.
Packing for Slovakia...
Leslie was so kind to let me stay at her place during my last month in Nairobi. I miss her a lot! Here she is studying French really hard while enjoying a pina colada..!
Hehe, here is a cheesy picture from my little corner of the office. I am indeed posing, yes.
Packing for Slovakia...
Mamma och pappa
Mom and dad were also her for a visit (mom for 20 days and dad for 1 week)and sun was shining most of the time, nice!
We live 2 minutes away from this square in the Old City.
Where also the opera house is located (we saw Figaro's Wedding with them and it was very very good this time!).
That ice cream better be good...
Trip to Devin Castle (I should get a season card for the entrance to that place...)
It is amazing how this couple even manage to match the rolling up of their pants perfectly!!
Took the boat to Vienna from Brati. Takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes and cost you 15 Euros. Not cheap maybe but nice on a sunny day!
Bratislava Castle
Old and new
We live 2 minutes away from this square in the Old City.
Where also the opera house is located (we saw Figaro's Wedding with them and it was very very good this time!).
That ice cream better be good...
Trip to Devin Castle (I should get a season card for the entrance to that place...)
It is amazing how this couple even manage to match the rolling up of their pants perfectly!!
Took the boat to Vienna from Brati. Takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes and cost you 15 Euros. Not cheap maybe but nice on a sunny day!
Bratislava Castle
Old and new
Family Kjellström visiting Brati and Vienna
I should have posted these photos a long time ago...the family Kjellstöm was here for a visit, almost a week actually in February (sport-lov!).It was raining most of the time but that did not stop us from trekking around in Brati and surroundings, such as Devin Castle and Vienna. Lots of fun!
Charlotte Perrelli goes banana in Tirana
...not that I normally follow her blog, but I just had to check out what happened to her in Tirana - a small disaster it seems, (I mean for her - not for the rest of the world)
http://blogg.aftonbladet.se/23548/
http://blogg.aftonbladet.se/23548/
You are in...but you are out...! La la la la lalaa...!
Netherlands: Discrimination in the Name of Integration
Overseas Integration Test Infringes on Rights of Migrants
(The Hague, May 15, 2008) – The Netherlands should abolish the overseas “integration test” that discriminatorily targets only migrants of certain nationalities trying to join their families, while citizens from other, “western” countries are exempt, Human Rights Watch said in a briefing paper released today. People of Moroccan and Turkish origin – two of the three largest “non-western” migrant communities in the Netherlands – have been especially affected.
In the 44-page briefing paper, “Discrimination in the Name of Integration, Migrants’ Rights Under the Integration Abroad Act,”,Human Rights Watch offers an analysis of the Dutch overseas integration test in light of the Netherlands’ international human rights obligations. Human Rights Watch found that people of Moroccan and Turkish origin are especially affected, while citizens from “western” countries such as Canada, Australia, and Japan are exempt.
“The overseas integration test is discriminatory because it explicitly applies only to relatives from predominantly ‘non-western countries,’” said Holly Cartner, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “These measures keep families apart and appear to be aimed at keeping certain kinds of people out of the Netherlands.”
Over the past several years, the Netherlands has introduced a series of measures with the stated aim of better integrating its migrant population. Besides an exam that is taken by migrants in the Netherlands, another measure is the integration test under the Integration Abroad Act. In force since March 2006, the act requires certain would-be family migrants to pass the test in their country of origin before they can join spouses or family members in the Netherlands.
Under this integration test, applicants must demonstrate basic knowledge of the Dutch language and basic concepts of Dutch society before they enter the Netherlands. The test is administered in Dutch by telephone to the applicant sitting at a computer at the Dutch embassy or consulate in the applicant’s home country. If the candidate fails the telephone test, the person will have to take the exam again and pay the examination fee of €350 each time the test is taken. Recently, the government decided to make the overseas integration test tougher by raising the pass mark.
The impact of the test, coupled with increased financial requirements applicable to all migrants, has fallen primarily on those wanting to join family members from two of the three largest “non-western” migrant communities in the Netherlands – Moroccans and Turks. There has been a significant reduction in the number of applications for family reunification and formation since the introduction of the test, and applications from Turkey and Morocco in particular have fallen significantly.
Exempted from the test are citizens from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and the US.
“It sends the message that certain groups are not welcome,” said Cartner. “And it risks alienating these communities instead of facilitating their integration.”
While international human rights law does not prohibit states from differentiating between citizens and non-citizens in immigration policies, states cannot discriminate on the basis of nationality or ethnicity (aside from a narrow exception for EU citizens) even in this sphere. Dutch authorities would need extremely powerful reasons to justify the clear difference in treatment between different nationalities in the application of this test.
The briefing paper concludes that the legitimate objective to better integrate all migrants cannot be met by a test that only some migrants trying to join their families are required to take, and from which others are exempted simply because of their nationality. A general exemption for persons from a number of countries is contrary to the alleged aim of the Integration Abroad Act, namely that all migrants should have a basic level of integration before arrival and that the test helps the ongoing integration once the person is in the Netherlands. The paper shows that no sufficient evidence has been put forward to adequately explain why for nationals of some countries, the integration program in the Netherlands is deemed sufficient for integration, and no overseas test is required.
The main argument put forward to explain this distinction in treatment is that the countries exempt from the test are similar to the Netherlands in their socio-economic and political development. The government has argued that exempting western countries would not lead to unwanted immigration and problems with integration in Dutch society. This suggests that reducing immigration, especially from certain countries, and not just achieving integration, was actually a main reason for the legislation.
“No strong evidence has been given to show that the level of a country’s development is a reliable indicator of the capacity or willingness of a potential immigrant to integrate,” said Cartner.
The test and financial burden, which restrict family reunification, undermine the right to family life and Netherland’s obligation to give all residents the right to marry and start a family.
There is an increasing tendency by other EU member states to follow the Dutch approach on compulsory integration measures in the country of origin.
“The Netherlands is a leading model for other EU states on integration issues,” said Cartner. “Developing an effective approach to integration, that does not discriminate on the basis of nationality and is fully consistent with international human rights law, would also serve as a positive example for other European states.”
Source: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/05/15/nether18796_txt.htm
Overseas Integration Test Infringes on Rights of Migrants
(The Hague, May 15, 2008) – The Netherlands should abolish the overseas “integration test” that discriminatorily targets only migrants of certain nationalities trying to join their families, while citizens from other, “western” countries are exempt, Human Rights Watch said in a briefing paper released today. People of Moroccan and Turkish origin – two of the three largest “non-western” migrant communities in the Netherlands – have been especially affected.
In the 44-page briefing paper, “Discrimination in the Name of Integration, Migrants’ Rights Under the Integration Abroad Act,”,Human Rights Watch offers an analysis of the Dutch overseas integration test in light of the Netherlands’ international human rights obligations. Human Rights Watch found that people of Moroccan and Turkish origin are especially affected, while citizens from “western” countries such as Canada, Australia, and Japan are exempt.
“The overseas integration test is discriminatory because it explicitly applies only to relatives from predominantly ‘non-western countries,’” said Holly Cartner, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “These measures keep families apart and appear to be aimed at keeping certain kinds of people out of the Netherlands.”
Over the past several years, the Netherlands has introduced a series of measures with the stated aim of better integrating its migrant population. Besides an exam that is taken by migrants in the Netherlands, another measure is the integration test under the Integration Abroad Act. In force since March 2006, the act requires certain would-be family migrants to pass the test in their country of origin before they can join spouses or family members in the Netherlands.
Under this integration test, applicants must demonstrate basic knowledge of the Dutch language and basic concepts of Dutch society before they enter the Netherlands. The test is administered in Dutch by telephone to the applicant sitting at a computer at the Dutch embassy or consulate in the applicant’s home country. If the candidate fails the telephone test, the person will have to take the exam again and pay the examination fee of €350 each time the test is taken. Recently, the government decided to make the overseas integration test tougher by raising the pass mark.
The impact of the test, coupled with increased financial requirements applicable to all migrants, has fallen primarily on those wanting to join family members from two of the three largest “non-western” migrant communities in the Netherlands – Moroccans and Turks. There has been a significant reduction in the number of applications for family reunification and formation since the introduction of the test, and applications from Turkey and Morocco in particular have fallen significantly.
Exempted from the test are citizens from the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and the US.
“It sends the message that certain groups are not welcome,” said Cartner. “And it risks alienating these communities instead of facilitating their integration.”
While international human rights law does not prohibit states from differentiating between citizens and non-citizens in immigration policies, states cannot discriminate on the basis of nationality or ethnicity (aside from a narrow exception for EU citizens) even in this sphere. Dutch authorities would need extremely powerful reasons to justify the clear difference in treatment between different nationalities in the application of this test.
The briefing paper concludes that the legitimate objective to better integrate all migrants cannot be met by a test that only some migrants trying to join their families are required to take, and from which others are exempted simply because of their nationality. A general exemption for persons from a number of countries is contrary to the alleged aim of the Integration Abroad Act, namely that all migrants should have a basic level of integration before arrival and that the test helps the ongoing integration once the person is in the Netherlands. The paper shows that no sufficient evidence has been put forward to adequately explain why for nationals of some countries, the integration program in the Netherlands is deemed sufficient for integration, and no overseas test is required.
The main argument put forward to explain this distinction in treatment is that the countries exempt from the test are similar to the Netherlands in their socio-economic and political development. The government has argued that exempting western countries would not lead to unwanted immigration and problems with integration in Dutch society. This suggests that reducing immigration, especially from certain countries, and not just achieving integration, was actually a main reason for the legislation.
“No strong evidence has been given to show that the level of a country’s development is a reliable indicator of the capacity or willingness of a potential immigrant to integrate,” said Cartner.
The test and financial burden, which restrict family reunification, undermine the right to family life and Netherland’s obligation to give all residents the right to marry and start a family.
There is an increasing tendency by other EU member states to follow the Dutch approach on compulsory integration measures in the country of origin.
“The Netherlands is a leading model for other EU states on integration issues,” said Cartner. “Developing an effective approach to integration, that does not discriminate on the basis of nationality and is fully consistent with international human rights law, would also serve as a positive example for other European states.”
Source: http://hrw.org/english/docs/2008/05/15/nether18796_txt.htm
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Martina Äntligen!!
After 5 years we finally had the chance to meet again in Vienna. Martina and I worked one summer together for SCANDORAMA in Malmö, which was a pretty stressful and weird job in many ways. BUT we really enjoyed working together and have stayed friends.
Since I met her last time, she has become a Doctor, and is now "taking a break" studying in Hamburg (international relations and conflict resolution, etc.)on a scholarship. On her free time she is very engaged in this organisation called IPPNW - International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War which seems really interesting http://www.ippnw.org/ (It is actually her that you can see in the middle of the picture on the web site). We had a good time as always - she is such a funny and inspiring person, and I wish I could see her more often really!
Can someone explain to me how to look pretty with a smile AND at the same time enjoy a snus? I simply can't do it.
This is very Vienna for me: I took this photo right outside Albertina which is one of the many art museums in Vienna. See that little silver colored cubical "kiosk"in the background to the left? There you can buy yourself a glass (real glass, not plastic!) of bubbly cold champagne which you sit down to enjoy right on the edge of the fountain. In the middle of the busiest part of Vienna. Nice! (But I guess you have to return the glass after..?)NICE!
Since I met her last time, she has become a Doctor, and is now "taking a break" studying in Hamburg (international relations and conflict resolution, etc.)on a scholarship. On her free time she is very engaged in this organisation called IPPNW - International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War which seems really interesting http://www.ippnw.org/ (It is actually her that you can see in the middle of the picture on the web site). We had a good time as always - she is such a funny and inspiring person, and I wish I could see her more often really!
Can someone explain to me how to look pretty with a smile AND at the same time enjoy a snus? I simply can't do it.
This is very Vienna for me: I took this photo right outside Albertina which is one of the many art museums in Vienna. See that little silver colored cubical "kiosk"in the background to the left? There you can buy yourself a glass (real glass, not plastic!) of bubbly cold champagne which you sit down to enjoy right on the edge of the fountain. In the middle of the busiest part of Vienna. Nice! (But I guess you have to return the glass after..?)NICE!
Piggin' out in Vienna
When in Vienna, do like the Austrians...Sunday, you head to Prater, which is a enormous green park / amusement park PACKED with all sorts of happy people soaking up the sun and enjoying a sausage or two with a cold beer...
First you get some money from your piggy bank...
...and then you get 1 kg of roasted PIG to share with your friend :))
After that you take off your shoes and have a little nap in the grass. And then you go for a loooong walk to digest the Piggy.
And you end it off by going to a DEUS concert - old favorite Belgian band which was introduced to me by a fellow Belgian ERASMUS student Nico about 10 years ago. As we were waiting to be let into the concert hall which was in a building located right on the river Danube we watched a couple of guys kicking around a ball. Oups...ball fell into the river, and got stuck somehow. One of the guys is actually trying to get it back, and it all looked pretty dangerous and stupid, everyone was watching this little drama - but somehow he managed at the end with help of a broom. Fine. One hour later, Deus is on stage - and surprise, it was the same guys that were kicking around the ball earlier, quite funny, I had not recognized any of them!
Anyway, they gave a really really good concert, but the sound sucked unfortunately...I actually found two video clips on Youtube from the concert, but mediocre quality, so here you are instead - a clip from my favorite song, an old one (which they did not play) - Little Arithmetics. I like it even more now as I see there are lots of hippos in it.
First you get some money from your piggy bank...
...and then you get 1 kg of roasted PIG to share with your friend :))
After that you take off your shoes and have a little nap in the grass. And then you go for a loooong walk to digest the Piggy.
And you end it off by going to a DEUS concert - old favorite Belgian band which was introduced to me by a fellow Belgian ERASMUS student Nico about 10 years ago. As we were waiting to be let into the concert hall which was in a building located right on the river Danube we watched a couple of guys kicking around a ball. Oups...ball fell into the river, and got stuck somehow. One of the guys is actually trying to get it back, and it all looked pretty dangerous and stupid, everyone was watching this little drama - but somehow he managed at the end with help of a broom. Fine. One hour later, Deus is on stage - and surprise, it was the same guys that were kicking around the ball earlier, quite funny, I had not recognized any of them!
Anyway, they gave a really really good concert, but the sound sucked unfortunately...I actually found two video clips on Youtube from the concert, but mediocre quality, so here you are instead - a clip from my favorite song, an old one (which they did not play) - Little Arithmetics. I like it even more now as I see there are lots of hippos in it.
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