Papperslösa kvinnors politiska delaktighet: Om utrymmet för individen att vara politisk när hon är utesluten ur den politiska gemenskapen.

Abstract

Human rights apply to all individuals, regardless of nationality or legal status. However, in practice, people living as undocumented – without a residence permit in the state where they are situated – seems to be regarded as an exception when it comes to human rights. As a result of a public debate on undocumented persons’ social rights, certain rights as the right to health care and abused women's right to protection, have been strengthened in recent years in Sweden. Something that has not been discussed as much is undocumented women's access to political rights. This paper takes a starting point in the paradoxical situation of undocumented women – simultaneously included and excluded from the society. The aim is to examine to what extent the individual can be political when she is excluded from the political community, and how it affects the ability to make use of the political rights. The study is primarily based on interviews conducted during the spring of 2016, with undocumented women and representatives from civil society who are in contact with undocumented women. The study focuses on undocumented women in Sweden, especially in Gothenburg. With help of Nicholas P. De Genova's theoretical concept deportability and Nancy Fraser’s theories on justice, the essay discusses a number of key barriers for undocumented women's political participation. At the same time, the essay proposes that the boundaries of the political community are not permanently fixed or given by nature, but may be subject to negotiation. With the support of Iris Marion Young's ideal of deliberative democracy and theories on becoming-able to and being-political (inspired by Anne McNevin) the essay reveals opportunities for political participation for undocumented women. In the proposals on how to strengthen undocumented women’s political rights, the civil society plays an important role but the state remains the main duty bearer.