Sweden and Colombia: Criminal liability in children within criminal organized groups : A comparative analysis from a criminal justice perspective

This thesis examines how Sweden and Colombia address the issue of criminal liability in children involved in organized crime, through a comparative analysis grounded in criminal justice theory. It also examines what human rights abuse allegations Sweden and Colombia have faced due to children’s liability within organized crime. The study applies four models of criminal justice, two models of Kent Roach and two models of Herbert Packer to evaluate each country’s approach to youth criminality.By analyzing national legislation, policy documents, and existing academic research, the study identifies key similarities and differences in how the two countries frame children’s criminal liability. The findings suggest that while Colombia officially treats children in organized crime as victims in need of protection, the country’s justice system faces challenges in balancing restorative justice ideals with public safety concerns. Sweden, on the other hand, risks undermining children’s rights by increasingly prioritizing security and victims’ rights, often without fully differentiating between adult and juvenile offenders. The study highlights the debate around youth as perceived threats to society and argues, in line with scholars such as White (1998) and Cavalcanti (2017), for the importance of preventive strategies that incorporate young people’s own perspectives.Ultimately, this thesis contends that criminal justice models cannot be rigidly applied across different socio-political and economic contexts. It advocates for flexible, contextually tailored juvenile justice policies that respect children as legitimate rights-bearers and acknowledge the structural factors contributing to juvenile delinquency.