The Moderates want to introduce “femicide” as a new legal classification in Swedish law. This would mean that murders committed with a clear motive of hatred toward women would be classified as femicide and, according to the proposal, would automatically result in life imprisonment. The party believes that a specific classification would emphasize the seriousness of these crimes.

Minister of Justice Gunnar Strömmer (M) highlights the special classification as an important part of the proposal. Even though the penalty for murder can already be life imprisonment today, the Moderates say the change is chiefly about making the motive behind the crime visible.

– The classification itself is perhaps the most important part. Through the classification, we clarify what lies behind this murder, says Gunnar Strömmer (M) to SVT.

The proposal also means that femicide would carry a mandatory life sentence, which already exists within the sentencing scale for murder. The new legal classification would therefore not primarily constitute a tougher maximum sentence, but rather a clearer marking against the type of crime directed at women because of their gender.

In a post on social media, the party states that this should be fought with just as much force as gang violence.

Drawing Inspiration from Other Countries

The Moderates’ proposal is partly based on experiences from other countries. For example, Mexico and Italy have introduced models where the murder of women related to gender-based violence is specifically addressed in legislation.

Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) emphasizes that Sweden can learn from how other countries have chosen to address the issue.

– We must combat men’s violence against women with the same force as we combat gang crime, so we have to learn from other countries, she says.

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