Swedish PM: We have stepped up the fight against terrorism as part of our NATO bid

The author is the Prime Minister of Sweden

With just over five weeks until the NATO summit in Vilnius, the time has come to seriously consider Sweden’s application for NATO membership. Since the organization’s meeting last year, 29 allies have approved Sweden’s application. Türkiye and Hungary remained. Sweden has an agreement with Turkey in which the fight against terrorism is one of the key points.

On Thursday, new legislation went into effect in Sweden that makes it illegal to participate in a terrorist organization in any way that promotes, strengthens or supports it. Thus we are completing the last part of our agreement. Sweden fully supports Turkey against all threats to its national security and condemns all terrorist organizations, including the PKK, that carry out attacks against it.

Terrorism is undoubtedly a very serious threat to our societies. It must be fought using all means in consonance with the rule of law and democracy.

We are living in an increasingly dangerous world. Along with state actors, terrorists and violent extremists also pose a serious threat. Sweden has been under an increased threat of terrorism since 2010. Our security services have also recently established that we have become a primary target for terrorism, not least because of quran burning and a disinformation campaign on Swedish social services for Muslim children in care.

Law is now coming into force that will give Sweden new and powerful tools to prosecute those who support terrorism. It consists of three elements.

First, the legislation closes loopholes in our anti-terror laws. Unlike some of its neighbors, Sweden has not previously banned participation in terrorist organizations. This meant that there was a risk that those who were not directly involved in carrying out a specific terrorist act, but actively supported such activities in some other way – for example by providing logistics or administration – could have escaped punishment. This is no longer the case. We now have legislative parity with our neighbors.

The new law also targets individuals who financially support the participation of others in terrorist organizations, or who publicly encourage or recruit others to join such organizations. In addition, it criminalises travel outside Sweden for the purpose of participating in terrorist activities.

Second, the punishment will be severe. The original maximum sentence is four years in prison. For the most serious offences, there is a minimum sentence of two and a maximum of eight years in prison. The punishment for leaders of terrorist organizations ranges between two years and life imprisonment.

Examples of acts of participation that would be punishable include handling equipment, camping, organizing meeting places, arranging accommodation, providing childcare, organizing activities, preparing meals, and providing transportation. Financing these forms of participation would also be punishable.

Third, our enhanced anti-terrorist rules will be important when it comes to Sweden’s international cooperation in the European Union and NATO. Every year, there are many terrorist attacks around the world. Terrorism has become a serious international problem that severely tests societies that affect and threaten peace and security everywhere, both domestically and globally.

Intensive national and international efforts are needed to deal with the threat posed by it. Sweden’s new, improved legislation will facilitate our cooperation with Turkey as well as with other NATO and EU countries.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine was a historic turning point for European and global security. Russia’s actions are a brutal attack not only on Ukraine, but on international law and the principles that underpin the European security order. The Kremlin’s aggression has had effects beyond the war in Ukraine. This has led to strong unity in support of Ukraine and against Russia, but at the same time Sweden has applied to join NATO, abandoning more than 200 years of military non-alignment.

Sweden is ready to be an active and loyal partner and contribute to the security of the entire alliance from day one. We have a strong defense and will contribute to an increased NATO presence in the Baltic Sea region, Baltic air policing and other operations. Ultimately, only Vladimir Putin has something to gain from Sweden remaining outside NATO.