Sweden to jail 13-year-olds: Will others in the EU follow? DW 11/03/2025

"In September, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced plans to lower Sweden's age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 for the most serious crimes, including murder and aggravated bombing. The reform is a response to a surge in deadly gang violence. Police say criminal networks increasingly recruit children to carry out shootings and deliver weapons, as minors under 15 cannot be prosecuted."

"The government in Stockholm had previously announced the creation of special detention units for 15- to 17-year-olds in Swedish prisons. Under the new proposal, the plan is being expanded to include youth-prison units for 13- to 14-year-olds, too. Youth offenders could already start being sent to these detention facilities as soon as next summer, according to the Swedish Justice Ministry. The government argues the change will close a loophole exploited by gangs."

"The bigger picture: An EU of differences Europe's minimum ages of criminal responsibility vary dramatically from 10 years in Ireland to 16 in Portugal and Luxembourg. Despite the differences, all European Union countries run separate juvenile justice systems for under-18s, where the focus is meant to be on education and rehabilitation rather than punishment. Yet the line between protecting and prosecuting minors has increasingly blurred as political debates harden around youth crime."

Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 15 to 13 for the most serious offenses, including murder and aggravated bombing, in response to rising deadly gang violence. Police report that criminal networks increasingly recruit children to carry out shootings and deliver weapons because minors under 15 cannot be prosecuted. The government plans youth-prison units for 13- to 14-year-olds, expanding earlier plans for 15- to 17-year-old detention units, with placements possible as soon as next summer. Legal experts, child-rights groups and social workers warn the change may not deter crime and could weaken rehabilitation. European countries vary widely in age limits and juvenile justice approaches.

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