Sweden Backs Away From Controversial Youth Crime Proposal
Sweden’s government has decided not to proceed with a controversial proposal that would have lowered the country’s age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13. Officials said the plan lacked enough parliamentary backing, prompting authorities to reconsider the reform.
The issue has been widely debated as Sweden continues to tackle rising gang violence and the growing involvement of children in serious crimes.
New Proposal Could Set Minimum Age at 14
Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer announced that lawmakers will instead work on legislation that would establish 14 as the minimum age of criminal responsibility. The revised proposal is closer to recommendations from international child rights bodies and aligns more closely with standards followed by many European countries.
Previously, the government had considered allowing 13-year-olds convicted of severe crimes to serve sentences in specially designed prison units.
Rising Gang Crime Remains a Major Concern
Sweden has experienced a sharp increase in gang-related violence over the last two decades. Criminal groups have increasingly recruited young teenagers to carry out shootings and bomb attacks, knowing that children below the current age threshold cannot be imprisoned.
Authorities reported that more than 50 children under the age of 15 were brought before courts last year on suspicion of murder or attempted murder. Critics have argued that existing youth care facilities have struggled to effectively rehabilitate young offenders.
