The UN Human Rights Committee has ruled that Sweden violated the right to life of a severely disabled child by deporting him twice to Albania. The individual, identified as E. B., suffers from autism, severe mental developmental disorder, cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus, and epilepsy.
E. B. and his family sought asylum in Sweden in 2012 for medical treatment. After initial asylum rejections, they were deported in 2016. The family returned to Sweden without legal status to continue E. B.'s care, only to face another deportation in 2019.
The committee stated that before deporting a child with complex disabilities and life-threatening conditions, states must conduct a rigorous assessment to ensure essential treatment is accessible in the receiving country. Sweden failed to verify E. B.'s access to critical medication and medical care in Albania, exposing him to a real risk of irreparable harm.
This violation constitutes a breach of his right to life and his right to be free from cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment. E. B. has since returned to Sweden but faces a new removal order.
The UN committee has requested Stockholm to review E. B.'s asylum or residence permit applications and to provide adequate compensation. While the committee's rulings carry reputational weight, they are not legally binding.