Skip to main content

LUP Student Papers

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Säkerhet och frihet - En kritisk granskning av införandet av visitationszoner med särskild fokus på diskriminering

Osman, Anas LU (2024) JURM02 20241
Department of Law
Faculty of Law
Abstract
In the shadow of escalating crime linked to criminal networks in Sweden, an intense debate has been waged on how best to combat organized crime. One of the most discussed proposals has been the introduction of stop-and-search zones, also known as security zones. Against the backdrop of legislative changes that allow wiretapping without suspicion of crime and an increased political interest in stricter measures against gang criminality, stop-and-search zones have emerged as a potential tool in the fight against crime. Political parties such as the Moderates, Christian Democrats, and Sweden Democrats have expressed support for this measure, culminating in the Tidö Agreement following the parliamentary election of 2022. However, there is... (More)
In the shadow of escalating crime linked to criminal networks in Sweden, an intense debate has been waged on how best to combat organized crime. One of the most discussed proposals has been the introduction of stop-and-search zones, also known as security zones. Against the backdrop of legislative changes that allow wiretapping without suspicion of crime and an increased political interest in stricter measures against gang criminality, stop-and-search zones have emerged as a potential tool in the fight against crime. Political parties such as the Moderates, Christian Democrats, and Sweden Democrats have expressed support for this measure, culminating in the Tidö Agreement following the parliamentary election of 2022. However, there is growing concern that these measures could undermine the rule of law and lead to ethnic profiling, especially since similar initiatives in Denmark have not had the desired effect.
The thesis explores the ongoing debate around stop-and-search zones in the Swedish legal system, specifically focusing on the risk of ethnic profiling. The questions address how the introduction of stop-and-search zones affects the regulation of house searches and body searches, what legal protection exists against discrimination and racial profiling, and the potential risk of ethnic discrimination as a result of the implementation.
The thesis is based on liberal legal security theory, which focuses on the relationship between the state and the individual, and highlights individual freedom and autonomy. According to this theory, founded on John Stuart Mill's Liberty Principle (otherwise known as the harm principle), the state's intervention in an individual's life should be minimized and only to prevent harm to others. The theory also emphasizes the importance of the state's actions having legitimacy through the consent of the people, underscoring the need for careful application of stop-and-search zones.
Finally, it discusses the complex balancing acts between maintaining public safety and protecting individual basic rights. It points out that the introduction of stop-and-search zones carries a significant risk of ethnic discrimination, given that similar measures have previously led to disproportionate police attention towards ethnic minorities. The discussion highlights the importance of implementing stop-and-search zones in a fair and effective manner, with strict guidelines, independent monitoring, and comprehensive training for the police, to avoid negative consequences such as ethnic profiling.
The thesis emphasizes that the introduction of stop-and-search zones in Sweden requires careful consideration of both potential benefits and risks. From the perspective of liberal legal security theory, it is essential to protect individual rights and freedoms while striving to combat crime effectively. To ensure that stop-and-search zones do not lead to unwanted ethnic discrimination, forward-looking strategies such as strict guidelines, independent monitoring, and police training must be prioritized. Future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of stop-and-search zones and investigating the occurrence of ethnic discrimination within these zones, to ensure a fair and inclusive application of this controversial measure. (Less)
Abstract (Swedish)
I skuggan av den eskalerande brottsligheten kopplad till kriminella nätverk i Sverige har en intensiv debatt förts om hur man bäst ska bekämpa organiserad brottslighet. Ett av de mest diskuterade förslagen har varit införandet av visitationszoner, även kända som säkerhetszoner. Med bakgrund i lagändringar som tillåter avlyssning utan brottsmisstanke och ett ökat politiskt intresse för strängare åtgärder mot gängkriminalitet, har visitationszoner framstått som ett potentiellt verktyg i kampen mot brottsligheten. Politiska partier som Moderaterna, Kristdemokraterna, och Sverigedemokraterna har uttryckt stöd för denna åtgärd, vilket kulminerade i Tidöavtalet efter riksdagsvalet 2022. Dock finns en växande oro att dessa åtgärder kan riskera... (More)
I skuggan av den eskalerande brottsligheten kopplad till kriminella nätverk i Sverige har en intensiv debatt förts om hur man bäst ska bekämpa organiserad brottslighet. Ett av de mest diskuterade förslagen har varit införandet av visitationszoner, även kända som säkerhetszoner. Med bakgrund i lagändringar som tillåter avlyssning utan brottsmisstanke och ett ökat politiskt intresse för strängare åtgärder mot gängkriminalitet, har visitationszoner framstått som ett potentiellt verktyg i kampen mot brottsligheten. Politiska partier som Moderaterna, Kristdemokraterna, och Sverigedemokraterna har uttryckt stöd för denna åtgärd, vilket kulminerade i Tidöavtalet efter riksdagsvalet 2022. Dock finns en växande oro att dessa åtgärder kan riskera rättssäkerheten och leda till etnisk profilering, särskilt då liknande initiativ i Danmark inte haft önskad effekt.
Uppsatsen syftar till att utforska den pågående debatten kring visitationszoner i den svenska rättsordningen, med särskilt fokus på potentiell etnisk profilering. Frågeställningarna adresserar hur införandet påverkar regleringen om husrannsakan och kroppsvisitation, vilka rättsliga skydd som finns mot diskriminering och rasprofilering, samt den potentiella risken för etnisk diskriminering som följd av implementeringen.
Uppsatsen grundar sig i den liberala rättsäkerhetsteorin, som fokuserar på förhållandet mellan stat och individ och framhäver individens frihet och autonomi. Enligt denna teori, grundad på John Stuart Mills Liberty Principle, bör statens ingripande i individens liv minimeras och endast ske för att förhindra skada mot andra. Denna teori betonar också vikten av att statens åtgärder har legitimitet genom folkets samtycke, vilket understryker behovet av en försiktig tillämpning av visitationszoner.
Avslutningsvis diskuteras de komplexa balansgångarna mellan att upprätthålla allmän säkerhet och skydda individens grundläggande rättigheter. Det påpekas att införandet av visitationszoner innebär en betydande risk för etnisk diskriminering, givet att liknande åtgärder tidigare lett till oproportionerlig polisiär uppmärksamhet mot etniska minoriteter. Diskussionen belyser vikten av att implementera visitationszoner på ett rättvist och effektivt sätt genom strikta riktlinjer, oberoende övervakning och omfattande utbildning för polisen för att undvika negativa konsekvenser såsom etnisk profilering.
Uppsatsen framhåller att införandet av visitationszoner i Sverige kräver en noggrann övervägning av både potentiella fördelar och risker. Med utgångspunkt i liberal rättsäkerhetsteori, är det nödvändigt att skydda individens rättigheter och friheter, samtidigt som man strävar efter att bekämpa brottslighet på ett effektivt sätt. För att säkerställa att visitationszoner inte leder till oönskad etnisk diskriminering, måste framåtblickande strategier som strikta riktlinjer, oberoende övervakning, och polisens utbildning prioriteras. Framtidens forskning bör inriktas på att utvärdera effektiviteten av visitationszoner samt undersöka förekomsten av etnisk diskriminering inom dessa zoner, för att säkerställa en rättvis och inkluderande tillämpning av denna kontroversiella åtgärd. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Osman, Anas LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
Security and freedom - A critical review of the introduction of visitation zones with a particular focus on discrimination
course
JURM02 20241
year
type
H3 - Professional qualifications (4 Years - )
subject
keywords
Visitationszoner, Säkerhetszoner, Tvångsmedel, Diskriminering, Andrafiering
language
Swedish
id
9152926
date added to LUP
2024-05-30 12:21:02
date last changed
2024-05-30 12:21:02
@misc{9152926,
  abstract     = {{In the shadow of escalating crime linked to criminal networks in Sweden, an intense debate has been waged on how best to combat organized crime. One of the most discussed proposals has been the introduction of stop-and-search zones, also known as security zones. Against the backdrop of legislative changes that allow wiretapping without suspicion of crime and an increased political interest in stricter measures against gang criminality, stop-and-search zones have emerged as a potential tool in the fight against crime. Political parties such as the Moderates, Christian Democrats, and Sweden Democrats have expressed support for this measure, culminating in the Tidö Agreement following the parliamentary election of 2022. However, there is growing concern that these measures could undermine the rule of law and lead to ethnic profiling, especially since similar initiatives in Denmark have not had the desired effect.
The thesis explores the ongoing debate around stop-and-search zones in the Swedish legal system, specifically focusing on the risk of ethnic profiling. The questions address how the introduction of stop-and-search zones affects the regulation of house searches and body searches, what legal protection exists against discrimination and racial profiling, and the potential risk of ethnic discrimination as a result of the implementation.
The thesis is based on liberal legal security theory, which focuses on the relationship between the state and the individual, and highlights individual freedom and autonomy. According to this theory, founded on John Stuart Mill's Liberty Principle (otherwise known as the harm principle), the state's intervention in an individual's life should be minimized and only to prevent harm to others. The theory also emphasizes the importance of the state's actions having legitimacy through the consent of the people, underscoring the need for careful application of stop-and-search zones.
Finally, it discusses the complex balancing acts between maintaining public safety and protecting individual basic rights. It points out that the introduction of stop-and-search zones carries a significant risk of ethnic discrimination, given that similar measures have previously led to disproportionate police attention towards ethnic minorities. The discussion highlights the importance of implementing stop-and-search zones in a fair and effective manner, with strict guidelines, independent monitoring, and comprehensive training for the police, to avoid negative consequences such as ethnic profiling.
The thesis emphasizes that the introduction of stop-and-search zones in Sweden requires careful consideration of both potential benefits and risks. From the perspective of liberal legal security theory, it is essential to protect individual rights and freedoms while striving to combat crime effectively. To ensure that stop-and-search zones do not lead to unwanted ethnic discrimination, forward-looking strategies such as strict guidelines, independent monitoring, and police training must be prioritized. Future research should focus on evaluating the effectiveness of stop-and-search zones and investigating the occurrence of ethnic discrimination within these zones, to ensure a fair and inclusive application of this controversial measure.}},
  author       = {{Osman, Anas}},
  language     = {{swe}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Säkerhet och frihet - En kritisk granskning av införandet av visitationszoner med särskild fokus på diskriminering}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}