The Swedish government has abolished prison sentences for minors under 14 who commit violent crimes.

The Swedish government has announced that it will no longer impose prison sentences in special facilities for minors under 14 years old who commit violent crimes, due to a lack of parliamentary support. The Minister of Justice, Gunnar Strommer, stated that instead, the age of criminal responsibility will be lowered from 15 to 14 years, as part of efforts to combat violence generated by criminal gangs.

In the last decade, Sweden has seen an increase in violent attacks, many of which are committed by minors. The current system provides for the internment of minors in correctional homes, but recidivism is common.

The proposed measures aim to protect society and victims, who are often children. The government, with a fragile parliamentary majority, has decided to abandon the initial plan to avoid a risky vote, in the context where the intention to imprison 13-year-olds sparked controversy. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child recommends that the age of criminal responsibility be at least 14 years.