12.6 Demonstrations

The right to demonstrate is a fundamental right under the Swedish Constitution.

Demonstrations may not be held in a public place without the permission of the local police authority. According to constitutional law, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs cannot determine  the outcome of an application for a permit for a public gathering. An application for such a permit may only be refused in the interests of preserving public order and public safety or with regard to the circulation of traffic.

The Swedish Police Authority has the right to disperse a public assembly if it is causing serious disorder or appreciable danger to those present and if other steps have not proved sufficient to restore order or provide protection for those present. However, the Police do not have the right to disperse a demonstration if a permit has not been sought (if a permit application has been rejected, the police have the right to disperse the demonstration). The Police are not entitled to disperse a demonstration due to an unlawful act being committed in the course of the demonstration, but they may intervene against an individual demonstrator who has committed an offence.

The Police do not have any power to prohibit demonstrations outside foreign missions or government or other public buildings unless this is necessary with regard to the circulation of traffic or for the preservation of public order. However, whenever a permit to hold a demonstration near to a mission is granted, the Police always allocate officers for protective surveillance and to inform the mission of the demonstration in question.

In the event of an unauthorised demonstration taking place outside a mission's premises, the mission should immediately contact the embassy protection group at Police Region Stockholm.