Sweden Enshrines Holocaust Denial Ban in Constitution

Sweden's parliament has definitively approved a constitutional amendment that will criminalize Holocaust denial, classifying it as incitement to hatred against an ethnic group. The amendment, which modifies laws concerning freedom of the press and freedom of speech, is set to take effect on January 1, 2027. The constitution will explicitly state that inciting hatred against an ethnic group violates press and speech freedoms. This legislative initiative extends beyond Holocaust denial to encompass the negation of genocide or crimes against humanity as established by Swedish or international court rulings. While Holocaust denial can currently lead to criminal prosecution in Sweden if deemed incitement to hatred, the new amendment aims to strengthen measures against hate speech, particularly on digital platforms that may currently be protected under existing press and speech laws. The constitutional amendment process in Sweden requires two parliamentary votes, separated by a general election. The initial vote occurred before the election, and the newly elected parliament's subsequent approval finalized the procedure. Israel's Ambassador to Sweden, Tamar Rahamimoff-Honig, welcomed the decision, stating on social media platform X that the move is a significant step in combating the rise of antisemitism, which she described as an "epidemic" requiring "determination and firm commitment."