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