This thesis examines how Swedish children in camps in north-eastern Syria are constructed in Swedish political and legal discourse. The study focuses on the case of the Skråmo Gonzalez children. It analyses how children’s rights and state responsibility are framed in public debate and official statements.

The study is a qualitative case study based on hermeneutic text analysis. The material includes political statements, legal sources, and media texts. The analysis draws on theories of dehumanization.

The findings show a gap between the legal recognition of children’s rights and the limited practice of repatriation. Political discussions often stress legal and security-related constraints. The children are frequently described in relation to their parents rather than as independent rights-holders. The thesis argues that these descriptions help explain why repatriation has been limited.