Genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes

What is genocide?

Genocide is committed by anyone who, with intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, in whole or in part, kills a member of that group. Other acts such as torture and rape can also constitute genocide.

What are crimes against humanity?

Crimes against humanity include acts such as murder, rape, torture and forced labour if they constitute or are part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against a group of civilians.

What are war crimes?

War crimes, formerly known as crimes against international law, is a collective term for violations of international humanitarian law and are offences committed in the context of war. These are serious crimes such as torture, rape, sexual slavery, pillage, destruction of items of cultural and historical heritage, the use of prohibited weapons, and attacks against civilians.

Sweden can investigate offences committed abroad

In the case of each of these offences, Sweden applies universal jurisdiction, which means that offences can be investigated regardless of where they are committed or the nationality of the offender or the victim.

Sentences

The sentences for genocide, crimes against humanity and serious war crimes are up to life imprisonment. The penalty for war crimes of the ordinary degree is up to six years' imprisonment.

Sweden is actively involved in these investigations and is engaged in close international co-operation with other EU countries.

Contact the police to report a crime

Specific work is underway to document information on suspected genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes committed in Syria, Ukraine and Iraq in the context of the wars there.

If you have information you wish to provide about these offences, contact the police war crimes investigation team.

Within the Swedish Prosecution Authority, these cases are handled by specially appointed prosecutors at the National Unit for International and Organised Crime