Behind closed doors: Families in the fight against the youth welfare office

Behind closed doors: Families in the fight against the youth welfare office

The heated debate surrounding the Al Jazeera 360 documentary “Behind Closed Doors” is unfolding in full swing! This compelling three-part series highlights the dramatic fates of families whose children were forcibly removed by European authorities, particularly in Norway, Sweden, Germany and Luxembourg. The Swedish government, led by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, has called the production "dangerous" and compared it to a controversial disinformation campaign that circulated on social media in 2022. But Al Jazeera 360 vehemently defends itself against these allegations!

“The attacks on the film are misleading,” explains Awad Joumaa, head of originals at Al Jazeera 360. The documentary aims to examine a complex social issue that affects many families. Joumaa emphasizes that the stories of the affected families are authentic and that the official perspectives of the authorities are also presented. “We offer viewers the opportunity to form their own opinions,” he adds. Despite criticism from Sweden's national broadcaster SVT, which claims important details were left out of the court documents, Joumaa remains calm and points out that all relevant information is presented in the film.

Swedish authorities on the defensive

The Swedish reaction to the documentary cannot be ignored! Kristersson warns that “Behind Closed Doors” has the potential to endanger the security situation in Sweden. Sofia Bard, head of the Swedish Institute, also warns of a possible negative impact on Sweden's international reputation. Concerns about the impact of the documentary are heightened by already strained international relations and recent protests in predominantly Muslim countries.

Joumaa counters that the Swedish reaction ignores the depth and broader themes the film addresses. “The claim that the film poses a security threat is based on a quick assessment by a security analyst and misses the actual content of the series,” he says. Al Jazeera 360 made several attempts to involve the Swedish authorities in the discussion, but the requests were rejected. “We reveal the arguments and perspectives and let the viewers judge for themselves,” concludes Joumaa.