The Sweden Democrats party has decided to push for a major reform of Sweden's hate speech legislation. Party members made this decision during their national conference in Örebro. The vote was extremely close, with 79 delegates supporting reform and 78 opposing it. Several party members wanted to go further and abolish the law completely. They lost by just one vote.
The debate preceding the decision was lively and passionate. Many delegates spoke in favor of completely removing the hate speech law from Swedish statutes. The narrow margin reveals deep divisions within the party about how to handle hate speech regulations.
Sweden's hate speech law, known as 'hets mot folkgrupp,' has been part of the country's legal framework for decades. It criminalizes expressions that threaten or express contempt for ethnic or other groups. The law represents Sweden's commitment to protecting minority communities from targeted harassment.
This proposed reform comes amid growing debates about free speech across Europe. Many countries struggle to balance protection against hate speech with freedom of expression. Sweden has generally taken a strong stance against hate speech compared to some neighboring countries.
The Sweden Democrats have historically criticized hate speech laws as limiting political debate. Party representatives argue these laws can be used to silence legitimate criticism of immigration policies. They claim the current framework creates unnecessary legal uncertainty for public discourse.
Legal experts note that changing hate speech legislation would require parliamentary approval. The Sweden Democrats currently provide support to Sweden's governing coalition. This position gives them influence over government policy, though they're not formally part of the ruling cabinet.
The proposed changes could affect Sweden's international reputation. The country is often seen as a leader in human rights protection. Weakening hate speech laws might draw criticism from international human rights organizations.
What happens next? The party will likely formalize its position in coming weeks. Then they'll begin discussions with their government partners. The outcome could reshape Swedish public debate for years to come. International observers will watch closely as this develops.