The Swedish age of criminal responsibility should be lowered from the current 15 to 14 years. This is the opinion of Gunnar Strömmer, Minister for Justice.
– If we could see that we were really able to prevent children and young people from being drawn into crime under the current system, this might not be as important. But we have seen a development in the last 10-15 years that is pulling in the opposite direction, he explains in the state television SVT Agenda.
In his argument, he highlights the fact that the average age of criminal responsibility in Europe is 14 years – and that in many European countries it is significantly lower than that.
– The punishment is an incredibly central part of justice for the victim. Behind every number is a victim and their loved ones, who, because we are unable to impose a penalty, are also unable to receive justice, he continues.
“Not an effective tool”
In 2023, the governing center-right coalition parties launched an investigation to review the possibility of lowering the age of criminal responsibility. Today, Tuesday, the investigator presents his conclusions.
At the same time, the opposition is deeply critical of a reduction and the Center Party’s spokesperson on legal policy, Ulrika Liljeberg, believes that lowering the age of criminal responsibility “is not an effective tool”.
– It is not punishment that deters 14-year-olds, they do not have that consequential thinking, she argues.
Strömmer lyfter ett viktigt perspektiv gällande sänkt straffmyndighetsålder: brottsoffer och anhörigas behov av upprättelse.
Självklart ska en 14-årig mördare kunna straffas. pic.twitter.com/Prn75wXHp9
— Fredrik Kärrholm (@FredrikKarrholm) January 26, 2025