Sweden’s government said on Monday, January 26, that it is pressing ahead with a controversial bill to lower the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 for the most serious offences, a move that could allow prison sentences in limited cases.
The proposal has faced strong opposition from several authorities, including police, prison officials and prosecutors. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer said at a press conference that the measure does not amount to a general lowering of criminal responsibility.
“This is about the most serious crimes only,” Strömmer said, citing offences such as murder and attempted murder, aggravated bombings, serious weapons offences and aggravated rape.
Sweden has struggled for more than a decade with a rise in organised violent crime, largely driven by gang rivalries and competition over the drug trade. Criminal networks have increasingly recruited children under 15 to carry out shootings and bombings, knowing they cannot be jailed if arrested.
A government-commissioned inquiry in January 2025 initially proposed lowering the age to 14. However, the government announced in September that it intended to reduce it further to 13 and circulated the bill to 126 authorities and organisations for feedback.
Most respondents criticised or opposed the plan. Police warned it could draw even younger children into criminal networks, while others argued the prison system is not equipped to handle such young offenders and raised concerns about children’s rights.
Despite the backlash, Strömmer said the worsening security situation required urgent action. “We are in an emergency situation. The measures we take must reflect the seriousness of the situation,” he said.
He added that the change would be temporary, initially lasting five years. The bill will first be reviewed by Sweden’s Council on Legislation before being submitted to parliament, with the government aiming for it to take effect this summer.
