On June 11, Sweden's Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer confirmed the government had abandoned its proposal to make children as young as 13 criminally responsible for serious offenses. The initial plan was withdrawn after it became evident that the government did not possess sufficient parliamentary votes to enact the alteration.
Instead, officials intend to put forward legislation before parliament that would reduce the current minimum age of 15 to 14. This revised proposal still faces opposition from human rights advocates.
Advocates argue that reducing the age of criminal liability does not aid victims or enhance public safety. They contend it risks drawing children into the criminal justice system at a critical developmental stage, when child-focused, multidisciplinary responses are most needed.
A consortium of 18 Swedish civil society organizations has suggested more than 100 alternative approaches to incarcerating minors. These include strengthening social services, improving mental health care access, providing school-based support, and offering targeted assistance for children exploited by criminal networks.
Evidence from other nations indicates that rehabilitation systems centered on children are more likely to prevent future harm than exposing them to harsher criminal punishments. Serious offenses, these groups assert, should be addressed through protection, rehabilitation, and support.
Authorities should prioritize rights-respecting alternatives that support rehabilitation and public safety without lowering the age of criminal responsibility.
Sources
https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/06/12/sweden-drops-plan-to-jail-13-year-olds-it-should-stop-there
