In brief
In a bid to combat escalating gang violence and recruitment of minors for illicit activities, the Swedish government plans to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 for serious offenses. Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer labeled the situation an 'emergency,' yet the proposal faces significant backlash from various authorities questioning its potential consequences on younger children. If approved, the legislation could take effect this summer, targeting serious crimes while ignoring concerns about the implications for child rights and rehabilitation.
Sweden is moving forward with plans to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 in serious cases as it grapples with a growing number of children recruited into gangs to carry out violent crimes without facing serious legal repercussions.
Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer said the country was in an emergency situation and stopping the use of children in criminal networks was a crucial task for the government.
However, several authorities, including police, prison officials, and prosecutors, have opposed the plan, with concerns that it may lead to even younger children becoming offenders.
If passed, the legislation will go into force as early as this summer. Strommer stated that the proposal does not imply a general lowering of the age of criminal responsibility and would only apply to the most serious crimes such as murder, attempted murder, aggravated bombings, aggravated weapons offenses, and aggravated rape.
Under the proposal, some of these offenders could face prison sentences in certain circumstances. Statistics from the Swedish National Council for Crime Prevention show that registered offenses linked to suspects under the age of 15 have doubled over the past decade.
The current government, which came into power in 2022, vowed to crack down on organized crime. A government-ordered inquiry at the beginning of last year suggested lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 14 in serious cases.
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed in September that it would be lowered from 15, stating children are being ruthlessly exploited by criminal networks to commit serious crimes. He emphasized the government's role in protecting these children and their potential victims by taking decisive action against exploitation.
The government then announced it would seek to lower the age to 13 and has invited input on the bill from 126 authorities and organizations.
However, the proposal has faced criticism. In November, the police authority expressed that the change might lead to significantly younger children getting involved in criminal gangs. Critics argue that the prison system is ill-equipped to handle young offenders and that detention could violate children's rights.
The prison and probation service voiced concerns over potential negative consequences for children, asserting they should be cared for through alternative means. Previous discussions by ministers included imposing age limits on social media, where gangs reportedly recruit young children into crime.
Despite the criticisms, Strommer maintains that the need for action has escalated. Local authority head Fredrik Hjulström stated the proposal lacks factual grounding and argued for prioritizing care over punishment for children, suggesting the bill was a political move ahead of the general election in September this year.
Lawyer Johan Eriksson also asserted that while preventing children's recruitment by gangs is crucial, lowering the age of criminal responsibility could yield counterproductive outcomes.
The bill is set to be reviewed by Sweden's Council on Legislation before it goes before Parliament.
