Mid Sweden University

The social work practice consists of various ethical decisions that might create a controversy. The different basic values that the social worker assumes, has consequences for the people the social worker consults. Hence the importance of the ethical guidelines designed for social work. However, there is an underlying risk that these guidelines will result in a conflict. Ethical dilemmas may not only arise in the direct contact with the client. Social workers will also have to make some decisions contrary to their ethical guidelines; particularly in relation to the prevailing laws and society's general perceptions. Ethical aspects reach its absolute climax, when different groups are claiming their rights in the society. In this article, we review arguments based on the social worker's ethical guidelines and normative theories to highlight the conflicts that can arise between different interest groups and values. There is an essential hazard that some groups' rights are being discriminated in ethical decisions, in society and within the social work practice. To illustrate how different ethical positions can occur and how the basic values can result in conflicts; we will examine the political and public debate regarding the mosque in Fittja, Sweden, concerning public muezzin.