En minoritet i en minoritet : Hur beaktas intellektuella funktionsnedsättningar i svenska asylbeslut?

Individuals with intellectual disabilities are particularly vulnerable in forced displacement and refugee situations. Yet, few studies have examined how the needs of individuals with intellectual disabilities are met within the asylum context. The current study analyzed Swedish asylum case decisions involving applicants with intellectual disabilities to explore how intellectual disabilities are accounted for during the RSD process. Case files were collected through an online platform containing decisions from the Swedish Migration Court. The data set consisted of 30 case decisions that were published from 1.1.2023 to 31.1.2025. All applicants were over 18 years old and had medically diagnosed intellectual disabilities ranging from mild to severe. The case files were analyzed through a six-step thematic analysis. A total of three main themes and nine subthemes were identified in the analysis. The themes included observations regarding the applicant’s participation in the RSD process, the situation for individuals with disabilities in the applicant's home country, and the applicant’s medical and support needs. The results highlighted a lack of information regarding how the asylum interviews had been conducted, as well as inconsistent assessments of social factors. Current practices may be particularly problematic for individuals with lifelong disabilities that require continuous support to ensure their right to a dignified life. Future research should explore how the RSD process could be adapted to better meet the individual needs of asylum seekers with intellectual disabilities.