Opposition move may delay Sweden’s child detention law

Swedish opposition parties have advanced a rare parliamentary manoeuvre that could delay the government’s proposed tightening of rules on detaining children without residency rights, SVT reports.

A cross-party coalition including the Greens, Centre, Social Democrats and Left Party secured a so-called “resting declaration” on Monday, a procedural step that may postpone parts of the legislation by at least a year. The motion required support from at least one-sixth of parliament, a threshold met during the vote.

Under Sweden’s Instrument of Government, a minority in the Riksdag can delay proposals that may violate fundamental rights. The constitutional committee will now determine whether the criteria for postponement are satisfied.

Annika Hirvonen, the Greens’ parliamentary group leader, said the delay would give the opposition time to win the next election and block the law entirely. She emphasised the need to stop provisions extending the duration children can be held in detention, calling separation from parents “deeply traumatic” with lifelong consequences.

SVT has sought comment from Migration Minister Johan Forssell.