A cross-party committee in Sweden has recommended amending the constitution to allow revocation of citizenship for dual citizens convicted of crimes that threaten national security. The proposal, aimed at strengthening Sweden’s security framework, has garnered attention and sparked debate among political parties.
Proposed Changes and Scope
The Committee on Fundamental Rights and Freedoms has outlined that dual citizens found guilty of serious crimes, such as espionage, high treason, incitement to war, and rebellion, could lose their Swedish citizenship. These crimes are considered severe enough to pose a threat to national security or fall under the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court.
Henrik Jermsten, the judge who chaired the committee, clarified that international law permits a broader scope for revoking citizenship, but the committee opted to focus on crimes directly endangering national security. “We have drawn the boundary at ‘serious crimes which threaten national security’,” Jermsten explained.
Government’s Push for Broader Criteria
Sweden’s government parties, along with the far-right Sweden Democrats, expressed a desire to extend the revocation criteria to include other serious offenses, such as gang-related crimes. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer highlighted the need to consider revoking citizenship for individuals involved in severe criminal activities, particularly those operating within criminal networks.
“There is space to revoke citizenship for those committing very severe crimes within criminal networks, but the committee’s proposals have not fully utilized this space,” Strömmer stated. He emphasized the potential need to target individuals orchestrating violent crimes from abroad, describing this as a “natural step” in enhancing Sweden’s security.
Additional Constitutional Amendments
The committee also proposed constitutional changes to enshrine the right to interrupt a pregnancy and to introduce limits on the right to assembly, potentially making it illegal to be a member of a criminal gang. These recommendations reflect ongoing efforts to address both personal rights and public safety within Sweden’s legal framework.
Legislative Process
Amending Sweden’s constitution requires two majority votes in parliament, with one occurring before and the other after a general election. This means the proposed changes will need to be revisited after the 2026 election, making the outcome contingent on the political landscape at that time.
The government’s commitment to these constitutional amendments underscores its focus on national security and crime prevention. As the legislative process unfolds, the debate over the balance between security and civil liberties is expected to continue, shaping Sweden’s approach to citizenship and public safety.