government: constitutional monarchy
state of civil and political rights: Free
constitution: 1 January 1975
legal system: civil law system influenced by customary law
legislative system: unicameral Parliament (Riksdag)
judicial system: Supreme Court whose judges are appointed by the government (prime minister and cabinet)
religion: Lutheran 87%, other 13%
death row:
year of last executions: 0-0-0
death sentences: 0
executions: 0
international treaties on human rights and the death penalty:International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
1st Optional Protocol to the Covenant
Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (aiming to the abolition of the death penalty)
Convention on the Rights of the Child
Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms
6th Protocol to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (concerning the abolition of the death penalty)
European Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Protocol No. 13 to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, concerning the abolition of the death penalty in all circumstances
Statute of the International Criminal Court (which excludes the death penalty)
situation:
Sweden abolished capital punishment for ordinary crimes in 1921 and has been abolitionist for all crimes since 1972. The last execution was carried out in 1910.
On April 22, 2003 Sweden deposited with the Council of Europe the instrument of ratification of Protocol No 13 to the European Convention on Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms banning the death penalty in all circumstances. Like its European Union partners, it refuses to send prisoners to countries where they could face the death penalty.
On December 19, 2016, Sweden once again co-sponsored and voted in favour of the Resolution on a Moratorium on the Use of the Death Penalty at the UN General Assembly.
