After two months, the Council on Legislation has now completed its statement on the government's criminal law reform, which includes increased penalties for around 50 crimes. The criticism is harsh.
The Council on Legislation rejects the proposal in its entirety and writes, among other things, that it is part of a larger reform effort with a large number of proposals that have come in a rush without clear coordination.
"This makes it almost impossible to get an overview of the proposals and their consequences," the statement says.
"Hurry up"
The Council says: "It appears to be a hasty move."
The Council on Legislation believes that the handling of the legislative process has been substandard and that the penal reform inquiry was given too little time.
"The proposals are so lacking in quality that they do not have the potential to become law," the statement says.
The Council on Legislation also finds no evidence to support the idea that tougher penalties reduce crime.
"Disagree"
Gunnar Strömmer does not share the Council on Legislation's view.
"I can say right now that I disagree with the description of this as a rush job. On the contrary, these are issues that have been debated for many years," he tells TT.
According to Strömmer, these issues have been addressed in a very comprehensive and thorough government inquiry during the mandate period. The reform has been referred and prepared.
"So when it comes to quality, I can vouch for the product."
Strömmer says that the Council on Legislation's statement will now be reviewed carefully and then reported on how the proposals will be taken forward.
