May 28, 2025 3:14 pm
Full News

Al Jazeera 360 Responds to Swedish Criticism of Documentary

Documentary Faces Backlash from Swedish Authorities

Al Jazeera 360 has pushed back against Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson’s claims that its documentary Behind Closed Doors is “dangerous.” The investigative three-part series delves into cases of families from diverse backgrounds in northern Europe, including Sweden, whose children were forcibly removed by social authorities.

Kristersson compared the film to the 2022 LVU misinformation campaign, which accused Swedish authorities of kidnapping Muslim children. However, Awad Joumaa, head of originals at Al Jazeera 360, dismissed these claims, calling them “misleading.”

Focus on Child Protection Laws in Europe

The documentary examines the emotional and legal struggles of families in Sweden, Norway, Germany, and Luxembourg who have lost custody of their children. In some cases, children were split up and placed in different cities, leaving parents unaware of their whereabouts.

“Behind Closed Doors explores a complex social issue affecting families across northern Europe,” Al Jazeera 360 said in a statement, adding that it provided both family accounts and official records to ensure a balanced presentation.

Criticism of Documentary’s Approach

Swedish national broadcaster SVT criticized the series for allegedly omitting details from court documents. Joumaa refuted this, stating that court rulings and the reasons for child removals were prominently displayed alongside the families’ narratives. “This approach allowed viewers to form their own opinions,” Joumaa said.

Swedish PM Warns of Security Risks

Prime Minister Kristersson warned that the film could harm Sweden’s international image and escalate security risks. Speaking to Expressen, he said the documentary might heighten the threat level against Sweden, already elevated due to events like Quran burnings and anti-Sweden protests in Muslim-majority countries.

Sofia Bard, head of the Swedish Institute, echoed these concerns, suggesting the film could negatively impact Sweden’s global influence and exacerbate security issues.

Al Jazeera 360 Defends Its Integrity

Joumaa criticized Swedish authorities for declining to participate in the documentary, in contrast to German officials who provided comments. He added that accusations of the documentary being a security threat were “based solely on a narrow assessment by one security analyst.”

“We are simply presenting the evidence, expert opinions, and arguments for open debate,” Joumaa said. He emphasized that the production team had made repeated attempts to involve Swedish authorities, but the Ministry of Social Affairs declined to cooperate.

Call for Free Debate

Joumaa underscored the film’s goal of fostering public discourse on child

Related News
Political Violence in Bangladesh Increased in January: MSF
Trump Selects Former Senator as Ambassador to China
Yunus’ Government Imposes Unprecedented Restrictions on Press Freedom and Expression
Bangladeshi American Diaspora Urges UN to Investigate Volker Türk Over Alleged Overreach
Japanese Start-Up to Launch Revolutionary All-Terrain Electric Wheelchair in 2026
India and the United States will work together to build a stable Bangladesh.
Related Posts
Trump Promised ‘No Tax on Social Security’—But the GOP Tax Bill Falls Short
Continued Downtrend in Bangladesh Stock Market Sparks Investor Anxiety
Germany’s Chancellor Promises to Support Ukraine in Producing Long-Range Missiles
Trump’s 5-Step Strategy to Keep GOP Control of the House in 2026
Jakarta Emerges as France’s Leading Arms Client in Southeast Asians
Trump’s Fury with Putin Grows Amid Republican Rift Over Ukraine War
More News

Bangladesh: Former Chhatra League Leader Attends Mother’s Funeral in Handcuffs

Jahangir Hossain, the former vice-president of the municipal Chhatra League in Chuadanga, Bangladesh, attended his mother’s funeral and burial while still wearing handcuffs.The Daily Star of leading newspaper in Bangladesh published a news on this regards. Despite being temporarily released on parole following his mother’s death, the handcuffs were not removed during the funeral. Jahangir […]

Bangladesh Editors’ Council Issues Condemnation Over Suspension of Journalists’ Accreditation and Access to Secretariat

Dhaka, December 29, 2024 – The Editors’ Council issued a strong condemnation in response to the recent suspension of journalists’ accreditation cards and access to the Secretariat. In a statement released today, the council highlighted that such measures constitute a significant threat and obstacle to independent journalism. On December 27, 2024, the Ministry of Home […]

U for Reviving South Asia Strategy Aligned with Indo-Pacific Priorities

In Washington, there are increasing calls for the United States to revive a separate South Asia strategy aligned more with Indo-Pacific priorities rather than those of the subcontinent proper. This shift could further dilute South Asia as traditionally defined by India. While extra-regional actors such as China and the United States have been cautiously enlarging […]

India Urges IMF to Reconsider $1 Billion Loan to Pakistan, Citing Terror Funding Concerns

India Urges IMF to Reconsider $1 Billion Loan to Pakistan, Citing Terror Funding ConcernsPakistan, May 16 – Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has called on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to reconsider its $1 billion loan to Pakistan, alleging that the funds could be used to finance terrorism. His remarks come amid heightened tensions between […]

South Asia Witnesses Unexpected Diplomatic Shifts: A New Era in Regional Dynamics

In an era marked by geopolitical realignments, South Asia is undergoing a profound transformation in its diplomatic relations, spotlighting the unexpected thawing of relations between India and the Taliban in Afghanistan, and the surprising warming between Bangladesh and Pakistan. This shift in regional diplomacy is not only reshaping the political landscape but also hinting at […]

Car Plows Into German Christmas Market, Leaving One Dead and Up to 80 Injured

A tragic incident unfolded in the German city of Magdeburg as a car drove into a crowded Christmas market, killing at least one person and injuring up to 80 others, according to local authorities.Fire and emergency services reported that the number of injured ranged between 60 and 80. Police confirmed that the driver of the […]

USA Bangabandhu Parishad Informs US Congress About Yunus’s Illegal Government’s Human Rights Violations and Terrorist Activities in Bangladesh

USA Bangabandhu Parishad Informs US Congress About Yunus’s Illegal Government’s Human Rights Violations and Terrorist Activities in BangladeshThe US-based Bangladeshi-American civic society has expressed grave concerns about the deterioration of law and order in Bangladesh, the release of identified militants and terrorists from prisons, the rise of extremism, persistent attacks on minorities, suppression of press […]

Jon Jones Retains UFC Heavyweight Title as Trump Watches; Xi Jinping Signals Willingness to Work with Incoming Administration

Jones Defeats Miocic at UFC 309 in Star-Studded EventJon Jones showcased his dominance at UFC 309 with a stunning knockout victory over Stipe Miocic to retain his heavyweight title. The fight, held at Madison Square Garden, marked Miocic’s retirement and solidified Jones’s legacy in the octagon. The event drew a high-profile audience, including President-elect Donald […]

New Ceasefire Proposal Presented for Israel-Gaza Conflict

Qatari and Egyptian mediators have submitted a new ceasefire proposal aimed at ending the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. A senior Palestinian official familiar with the negotiations informed the BBC about the terms of the new proposal. According to the official, the proposed agreement includes a ceasefire lasting between five to seven […]

Israel Passes Laws Banning UNRWA from West Bank and Gaza Operations Amid Rising Tensions

The Israeli Knesset has approved two bills that will effectively ban the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) from operating in Israel and, by extension, in the occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip. These moves come amid ongoing international condemnation and calls for humanitarian access in the […]