Swedish Justice Minister Proposes Lowering Age of Criminal Responsibility Amidst Debate

Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer is considering a significant legal reform to lower Sweden's age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 for a small group of youth involved in serious crimes such as murder. The proposal, discussed during a visit to Gothenburg alongside National Police Chief Petra Lundh, aims to address the issue of gang recruitment of children and serious criminal acts committed by youth under the current age threshold. Strömmer estimates that this change would affect roughly fifty children annually, targeting only the most severe offenses rather than all youth crimes.

While acknowledging that no sensible person desires to incarcerate children, Strömmer described the current situation—where children under 15 engage in serious crime—as unacceptable. He emphasized the need for a nuanced debate and the importance of significantly boosting resources for social services to address youth crime more effectively.

The proposal has sparked strong opposition from various quarters, including police officials and children's rights organizations. Critics argue that lowering the age of criminal responsibility risks violating children's rights and that current social services lack the necessary resources to manage these cases adequately. Some law enforcement voices express skepticism about whether the reform will reduce youth crime effectively.

Strömmer highlighted the notable reduction in shootings across Sweden, which have halved compared to the previous year, attributing this improvement to enhanced police cooperation and political initiatives. He continues to focus on delivering results in his current role and is perceived as a popular figure within the Moderate Party.

This debate underscores the challenges Swedish authorities face balancing public safety, children's rights, and effective social intervention in youth crime. The government appears poised to advance discussions on reform while addressing concerns about the social infrastructure needed to support affected youth.