Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Bugging a pastor

Swedish Parliament has recently passed a very controversial law giving FRA (National Defensce Radio Establishment) more possibilities to bug telephone and internet traffic passing the Swedish border. The law is controversial indeed.
Today, Dagen reports that already in the 90-ies FRA has bugged the leader of the Word of Life Church in Uppsala, Ulf Ekman, because of his missionary contacts with Russia. Apparently, FRA does not need a law at all, they seemed to think they can do whatever they like to.
Stefan Swärd, leader for another church, EFK, has put questions to FRA boss Ingvar Åkesson. Relevant questions. Why was this bugging done? Who ordered it? Have more christian leaders/organisations being bugged? What does the new law mean for the future concerning religious institutions? We wait for some good answers, if they exist.

In Sweden there is freedom of religion guaranteed. There are also laws protecting personal integrity and guaranteeing pastors and priests the right to be silent about things they have heard in confidence. How then can it be possible that FRA is bugging a pastor? Apparently they have been violating the constitution. What does this mean for missionary organisations in Sweden? Can we speak freely on the phone with our partners, or do we have to be more careful - not because of some other regimes, condemned by democratic Sweden, but because of our own governmental organisations?

Freedom of religion and protection of personal integrity are cornerstones of our society. I would hope they will remain so in future. FRA needs to be controlled in a better way. Apparently.

No comments: