The government wants to impose harsher penalties on those who recruit children into criminal gangs, with prison terms of up to 16 years. The question, however, is whether the government will stand firm this time—previously, it backed down from lowering the age of criminal responsibility to 13 following fierce opposition from left-liberal media outlets.
The government is now proposing harsher penalties for those who recruit children and young people into criminal gangs. A new crime—aggravated involvement of a minor in criminal activity—will be introduced, punishable by up to eight years in prison. If the recruitment is linked to organized crime, the penalty can be up to 16 years.
Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer (M) says that current penalties are too lenient and that dangerous individuals who lure children into murder plots and other serious crimes ”get off far too easily.”.
– The penalties today are far too lenient. Truly dangerous individuals who recruit children for murder missions, for example, get off far too easily., says the Minister of Justice TV4.
Previous setbacks
At the same time, there is reason to be cautious about optimism. The government has previously backed down from tougher measures following massive resistance from left-liberal media outlets. A clear example is when the proposal to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 13 was withdrawn after a fierce media campaign.
The question is whether the government will really dare to stand up to the pressure this time if things start to heat up again.
Recruiting children should be punished more severely
Under the proposal, it would also be a criminal offense for a 17-year-old to recruit younger children into criminal activity. With this legislative change, the government aims to increase the pressure on those who use children as tools in serious crime.
The bill will now be sent out for public comment and is proposed to take effect on March 1, 2027. If it is passed, it is expected to result in longer prison sentences for individuals who systematically recruit children into gang-related crime.
But as has been shown before—what is stated in press releases doesn't always become reality when opposition becomes too strong.
