2024-05-292023/24:FöU10 · p.2FöUDefence
Swedish reservation to the agreement between the parties to the North Atlantic Treaty on the status of their forces
No Swedish reservation on the death penalty when acceding to the NATO SOFA status-of-forces agreement
What's at stake: The decision concerns how explicitly the ban on the death penalty and protection against extradition to face it are written into the agreement governing other NATO members' military presence and jurisdiction on Swedish territory. It practically affects people at risk of the death penalty and how the legal status of allied troops in Sweden is regulated.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether, on acceding to the NATO status-of-forces agreement (NATO SOFA), Sweden should make an explicit reservation clarifying that the death penalty may not be imposed or carried out on Swedish territory and that extradition to countries where the death penalty may apply is prohibited, or whether this is already considered sufficiently regulated without such a reservation.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee rejects the motion for a clarifying reservation. The reason is that the death penalty is already prohibited in Sweden and Sweden can already refuse extradition where the death penalty is a risk, and that a reservation limiting other member states' jurisdiction should not be made since equal treatment among allies carries significant weight and no other member state has made such a reservation either.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 1 (V)
The reservation calls on the government, when acceding to NATO SOFA, to make a reservation clarifying that the death penalty may not be imposed or carried out on Swedish territory and that extradition to countries where it may apply is prohibited. The reason given is that the United States, the only NATO member that still applies the death penalty, has significant influence within the alliance, and that no uncertainty should remain on such a fundamental question - an assessment shared by, among others, the Law Faculty Board at Stockholm University.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 1 by V.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
The decision would have held
Explicit commitments that contradicted the vote: KDKristdemokraterna
Ja 271–18Ja 255–34
Counterfactual: the parties above are moved to the position their own documents explicitly point at, carrying their whole contingent present. Every other party keeps its real figures, including dissenters and absentees.
How the AI parties would have voted
For each party: what its own plan – election manifesto and party programme – argues for in this case, next to how the party actually voted. The AI can only answer Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| AI | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | No 0/18/0/6 | match | confidence: high | derived |
| S | No | Yes 91/0/0/15 | differs | confidence: medium | derived |
| MP | No | Yes 15/0/0/3 | differs | confidence: medium | derived |
| C | No | Yes 19/0/0/5 | differs | confidence: medium | derived |
| L | No | Yes 11/0/0/5 | differs | confidence: medium | derived |
| KD | No | Yes 16/0/0/3 | differsagainst own programme | confidence: high | explicit |
| M | Yes | Yes 58/0/0/10 | match | confidence: low | derived |
| SD | No | Yes 61/0/0/11 | differs | confidence: low | not addressed |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects motion 2023/24:2898 by Hanna Gunnarsson et al. (V).
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motion 2023/24:2898 av Hanna Gunnarsson m.fl. (V).
Riksdag decision: As a NATO member, Sweden is expected to accede to certain agreements that concern various parts of defense cooperation. The Riksdag said yes to the government's proposal to approve four agreements. Two of the agreements, NATO SOFA and the Paris Protocol, are status agreements. The purpose of these is to strengthen the allies' ability to act militarily together by regulating in advance questions that may arise in connection with a sending state's military personnel being in a receiving state. The two other agreements concern issues of information management and confidentiality of defense inventions. The agreements require certain constitutional amendments for Sweden to be able to fulfill its obligations. The Riksdag said yes to the legislative amendments, which are proposed to enter into force on the day the government determines that they shall start to apply.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants Sweden to make a reservation to the NATO SOFA agreement clarifying the prohibition of capital punishment on Swedish territory. (V) — Reservation 1
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan wants to realize the UN's declaration of human rights in full and that Sweden is a steady voice for human rights.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to realize the UN's declaration of human rights in full and that Sweden is a steady voice for human rights. It is furthermore explicitly critical of military ties to NATO and wants to tear up the host nation agreement and ban nuclear weapons on Swedish territory, thus precisely those territorial reservations that the counter-proposal requests. An explicit reservation on capital punishment therefore follows from the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill förverkliga FN:s förklaring om de mänskliga rättigheterna fullt ut och att Sverige är en stadig röst för mänskliga rättigheter. Den är dessutom uttryckligen kritisk till militära bindningar till Nato och vill riva upp värdlandsavtalet och förbjuda kärnvapen på svensk mark, alltså just sådana territoriella förbehåll som motförslaget begär. En uttrycklig reservation om dödsstraff följer därför av planen.
- realize the HR declarationdecisive»rättigheterna var ett historiskt framsteg vi vill förverkliga fullt ut.« (party programme ↗)“rights were a historical step forward we want to realize in full.”
- against NATO's host nation agreement»Vänsterpartiet vill att Sverige river upp värdlandsavtalet med NATO.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Left Party wants Sweden to tear up its host nation agreement with NATO.”
- reservation on Swedish territory»Vi vill se ett förbud mot kärnvapen på svensk mark och arbetar för en« (party programme ↗)“We want to see a ban on nuclear weapons on Swedish territory and work for a”
- HR voice in the world»en stadig röst i världen som talar för mänskliga rättigheter, fred och« (party programme ↗)“a steady voice in the world speaking for human rights, peace and”
The party programme establishes that individuals' right to life in freedom and security must always be defended and that respect for human rights is a prerequisite for democracy.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme establishes that individuals' right to life in freedom and security must always be defended and that respect for human rights is a prerequisite for democracy. An explicit reservation against capital punishment and against extradition where there is a risk of capital punishment is an application of exactly that. The election manifesto's NATO line argues for equal conditions between allies but does not mean that the human rights commitment may be compromised.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet slår fast att enskilda människors rätt till liv i frihet och säkerhet alltid måste försvaras och att respekten för de mänskliga rättigheterna är en förutsättning för demokrati. En uttrycklig reservation mot dödsstraff och mot utlämning vid dödsstraffsrisk är en tillämpning av just det. Valmanifestets Natolinje talar för lika villkor mellan allierade men innebär inte att människorättsåtagandet får ge vika.
- the right to life is always defendeddecisive»människors rätt till liv i frihet och säkerhet måste alltid försvaras.« (party programme ↗)“people's right to life in freedom and security must always be defended.”
- human rights as foundation»Respekten för de mänskliga rättigheterna är en förutsättning för demokrati.« (party programme ↗)“Respect for human rights is a prerequisite for democracy.”
- international law as Swedish line»Vi har en lång historia av att stå upp för folkrätten, solidaritet, nedrustning, demokrati och jämställdhet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We have a long history of standing up for international law, solidarity, disarmament, democracy and equality.”
- NATO membership»Ett svenskt medlemskap i Nato är den bästa vägen för vårt lands säkerhet och Sverige har därför lämnat in sin medlemsansökan.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Swedish membership in NATO is the best way for our country's security and Sweden has therefore submitted its membership application.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The election manifesto explicitly states that Sweden should not adapt its foreign policy according to other states' demands in connection with NATO, and the party programme places international law and universal human rights at the centre and wants the lease of Swedish territory to foreign military forces to cease.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto explicitly states that Sweden should not adapt its foreign policy according to other states' demands in connection with NATO, and the party programme places international law and universal human rights at the centre and wants the lease of Swedish territory to foreign military forces to cease. An explicit reservation about capital punishment is the independent line the plan requires.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet säger uttryckligen att Sverige inte ska anpassa sin utrikespolitik efter andra staters krav i samband med Nato, och partiprogrammet sätter folkrätten och de universella mänskliga rättigheterna i centrum och vill att uthyrning av svensk mark till utländska militärstyrkor upphör. En uttrycklig reservation om dödsstraff är den självständiga linje planen kräver.
- independent foreign policydecisive»inte att Sverige ska anpassa sin utrikespolitik efter auktoritära staters krav för kunna att bli medlem i Nato« (2022 manifesto ↗)“not that Sweden should adapt its foreign policy according to authoritarian states' demands in order to become a member of NATO”
- international law and human rights»Miljöpartiet de gröna sätter folkrätten och de« (party programme ↗)“The Green Party places international law and the”
- restrictive on foreign military presence»vapenexport. Uthyrningen av svensk mark till« (party programme ↗)“weapons exports. The lease of Swedish territory to”
- military non-alignment»alliansfriheten och är därför mot anslutning till« (party programme ↗)“military non-alignment and is therefore against membership in”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The party programme gives foreign and security policy the task of protecting universal human freedoms and rights and establishes that citizens in democracies must not compromise their ideals.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme gives foreign and security policy the task of protecting universal human freedoms and rights and establishes that citizens in democracies must not compromise their ideals. An explicit reservation that capital punishment must not be imposed or carried out in Sweden is an application of precisely that principle. The plan also wants to complete NATO membership, but that commitment applies to the membership as such, not to abstaining from rights reservations.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet ger utrikes- och säkerhetspolitiken uppgiften att värna universella mänskliga fri- och rättigheter och slår fast att medborgare i demokratier inte ska kompromissa med sina ideal. Ett uttryckligt förbehåll om att dödsstraff inte får utdömas eller verkställas i Sverige är en tillämpning av just den principen. Planen vill samtidigt fullfölja Nato-inträdet, men det åtagandet gäller medlemskapet som sådant, inte att avstå från rättighetsförbehåll.
- human rights in foreign policydecisive»Utrikes- och säkerhetspolitiken syftar ytterst till att värna universella mänskliga fri- och rättigheter.« (party programme ↗)“Foreign and security policy ultimately aims to protect universal human freedoms and rights.”
- do not compromise on ideals»Därför är det särskilt viktigt att vi, medborgare i de demokratiska länderna, inte kompromissar med våra ideal utan förenas i en strävan efter alla människors fri- och rättigheter.« (party programme ↗)“Therefore it is especially important that we, citizens of democratic countries, do not compromise our ideals but unite in striving for all people's freedoms and rights.”
- constitutionally protected rights»Vi vill stärka bland annat äganderätten, diskrimineringsförbudet, minoritetsskyddet och minoritetsspråkens ställning, och grundlagsskydda rätten till abort och reproduktiv hälsa.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to strengthen among other things property rights, the non-discrimination clause, minority protection and the position of minority languages, and constitutionally protect the right to abortion and reproductive health.”
- complete NATO entry»Centerpartiet vill rusta försvaret, stärka Sveriges civila beredskap och fullfölja inträdet i Nato.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Centre Party wants to strengthen defence, strengthen Sweden's civil preparedness and complete entry into NATO.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan requires Sweden to work for the abolition of capital punishment in the world and establishes that the individual's dignity and integrity must not be violated.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires Sweden to work for the abolition of capital punishment in the world and establishes that the individual's dignity and integrity must not be violated. An explicit reservation that capital punishment must not be imposed or executed here, and that extradition is prohibited when there is a risk of capital punishment, follows from that commitment. The plan's strong NATO line is a qualification but does not override the principle.
Original (Swedish)
Planen ålägger Sverige att verka för att dödsstraffet avskaffas i världen och slår fast att den enskildes värdighet och integritet inte får kränkas. En uttrycklig reservation om att dödsstraff inte får utdömas eller verkställas här, och att utlämning vid dödsstraffsrisk är förbjuden, följer av det åtagandet. Planens starka Natolinje är en kvalificering men upphäver inte principen.
- abolish capital punishmentdecisive»verka för att dödsstraffet avskaffas i världen.« (party programme ↗)“work for the abolition of capital punishment in the world.”
- human dignity»Den enskildes värdighet och integritet får inte kränkas.« (party programme ↗)“The individual's dignity and integrity must not be violated.”
- international criminal court review of rights»Internationella brottmålsdomstolens roll för att lagföra brott mot mänskliga rättigheter ska stärkas.« (party programme ↗)“The International Criminal Court's role in prosecuting crimes against human rights should be strengthened.”
- full NATO membership»Därför ska Sverige gå med i Nato och tillsammans med USA, Kanada och våra europeiska grannar försvara både Sverige och vår del av världen.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Therefore, Sweden should join NATO and together with the USA, Canada and our European neighbours defend both Sweden and our part of the world.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The party programme explicitly establishes that capital punishment is not compatible with the view of the inviolability of human life, and that human dignity is absolute from conception until the end of life.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme explicitly establishes that capital punishment is not compatible with the view of the inviolability of human life, and that human dignity is absolute from conception until the end of life. The Constitution shall ensure and protect human rights, primarily the right to life. An explicit reservation that capital punishment may not be imposed or carried out here follows directly from this.
Original (Swedish)
Principprogrammet slår uttryckligen fast att dödsstraff inte är förenligt med synen på människolivets okränkbarhet, och att människovärdet är absolut från tillblivelsen till livets slut. Grundlagen ska säkerställa och skydda de mänskliga rättigheterna, främst rätten till liv. En uttrycklig reservation om att dödsstraff inte får utdömas eller verkställas här följer direkt av detta.
- rejects capital punishmentdecisive»Dödsstraff är ej förenligt med synen på människolivets« (party programme ↗)“Capital punishment is not compatible with the view of the inviolability of”
- inviolable human dignity»Det absoluta och okränkbara människovärdet är knutet till människans existens, från tillblivelsen till livets slut.« (party programme ↗)“The absolute and inviolable human dignity is tied to human existence, from conception until the end of life.”
- constitutionally protected rights»Grundlagen ska säkerställa de rättigheter som alltid« (party programme ↗)“The Constitution shall ensure the rights that always”
- the right to life»Rätten till liv, kroppslig integritet och respekt« (party programme ↗)“The right to life, bodily integrity and respect”
The stance rests on the quoted commitment in the party's own documents; the actual vote deviated. Click the quote to verify it in the document.
The plan sets a high ambition level for Sweden as a NATO member and wants Sweden to be a full member and a security producer in the neighbourhood, which speaks for equal terms with other allies rather than a Swedish special reservation.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan sets a high ambition level for Sweden as a NATO member and wants Sweden to be a full member and a security producer in the neighbourhood, which speaks for equal terms with other allies rather than a Swedish special reservation. The counter-proposal's demand for an explicit reservation is therefore not in line with the plan. The plan's commitment to be a strong voice for human rights pulls in another direction, which lowers the confidence.
Original (Swedish)
Planen sätter en hög ambitionsnivå för Sverige som Natomedlem och vill att Sverige ska vara fullvärdig medlem och en säkerhetsproducent i närområdet, vilket talar för lika villkor med övriga allierade snarare än en svensk särreservation. Motförslagets krav på en uttrycklig reservation ligger därför inte i planens linje. Planens åtagande om att vara en stark röst för mänskliga rättigheter drar åt andra hållet, vilket sänker säkerheten.
- high ambition in NATOdecisive»Moderaterna vill sätta en hög ambitionsnivå för Sverige som blivande Natomedlem.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Moderate Party wants to set a high ambition level for Sweden as a prospective NATO member.”
- full NATO membership»Sverige ska vara fullvärdig medlem i såväl EU« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall be a full member in both EU”
- adaptation to NATO»Förbereda försvaret för svenskt Natomedlemskap« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Prepare the defence for Swedish NATO membership”
- democracy in foreign policy»Sverige ska vara en stark röst för frihet, demokrati och« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall be a strong voice for freedom, democracy and”
flags: citat_migrerat
The plan does not address capital punishment or the status agreement for foreign forces.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address capital punishment or the status agreement for foreign forces. The nearest principle is that national self-determination and the independence of Swedish governance should be strengthened, which speaks for Swedish legal order to expressly apply on Swedish territory also within an alliance. The party programme's requirement for equality before the law points in the same direction, but the basis is weak.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar varken dödsstraff eller statusavtalet för utländska styrkor. Närmast liggande princip är att det nationella självbestämmandet och det svenska folkstyrets oberoende ska stärkas, vilket talar för att svensk rättsordning uttryckligen ska gälla på svenskt territorium också inom en allians. Partiprogrammets krav på likhet inför lagen pekar åt samma håll, men underlaget är svagt.
- national self-determinationdecisive»Stärka det nationella självbestämmandet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen national self-determination”
- Swedish governance»Bejaka och stärka det svenska folkstyrets oberoende« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Affirm and strengthen the independence of Swedish governance”
- equality before the law»lika inför lagen är en av rättsstatens viktigaste principer.« (party programme ↗)“equality before the law is one of the rule of law's most important principles.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2023/24:FöU10)
- Committee report full text (HB01FöU10)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2023/24:2898 — med anledning av prop. 2023/24:133 Sveriges tillträde till vissa Natoavtal av Hanna Gunnarsson m.fl. (V)
- Proposition 2023/24:133 — Sveriges tillträde till vissa Natoavtal
Source: The Swedish Parliament