The Swedish Government announced this Monday that it will present a bill to reduce the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 for serious crimes, paving the way for prison sentences in certain cases.
Several authorities, including the police, prison officials and prosecutors, are opposing the Swedish government proposal for prison sentences from the age of 13.
The Swedish Minister of Justice, Gunnar Strommerargued that this is not a “general reduction in the age of criminal responsibility”.
“It is about reducing for the most serious crimes, such as murder, attempted murder, qualified bombings, weapons crimes and rape, all with aggravating circumstances“, detailed Strommer, in a press conference.
Sweden has been struggling for more than a decade to contain the increase in violence related to organized crime, fueled mainly by disputes between gangs and struggles for control of the drug market.
These networks are recruiting an increasing number of under-15s to carry out bombings and shootings, which do not face prison sentences if caught.
A survey commissioned by the Government in January 2025 proposed reducing the age of criminal responsibility to 14 years old.
Authorities ‘turn their noses up’ at the proposal
However, in September, the government announced its intention to reduce it to 13 years and sent the bill to 126 authorities and organizations to present their considerations.
The majority of respondents criticized the proposal or opposed it categorically the same.
Police argued that lowering the age of criminal responsibility could lead to the “involvement of much younger children than the current ones in criminal networks”.
Others highlighted that the prison system is not equipped to deal with young delinquents and that this could infringe on children’s rights.
Government speaks of “emergency situation”
“We are in an emergency situation. The measures we take must reflect the seriousness of the situation”, warned the Minister of Justice on Monday.
This change would be introduced as temporaryinitially for a limited period of five years, he explained.
The bill will first be submitted to the Swedish Legislative Council, which reviews the bills the Government intends to introduce.
Strommer anticipates the legislation to take effect in the summer.
