Background & Purpose
Existing laws had gaps that made it difficult to stop honor-related marriage practices. The new measures aim to close these loopholes and provide stronger protection for vulnerable individuals.
The Decision
The parliament decided to introduce tougher penalties and new criminal categories to prevent forced and child marriages, while also allowing police to use more effective investigative tools.
Does this affect you?
- Children and young people: They receive stronger legal protection against being forced into marriage or taken abroad for such purposes.
- Law enforcement agencies: They gain access to more powerful investigative tools, such as secret surveillance, to solve and prevent these crimes.
In Practice
- A new crime called 'marriage travel crime against children' is introduced to stop children from being taken abroad for marriage.
- Penalties for forced marriage and child marriage are increased.
- Police are allowed to use secret surveillance methods, such as wiretapping, when investigating these crimes.
- Foreign marriages that violate Swedish law will no longer be recognized under any circumstances.