ordningslagen

Ordningslagen, commonly translated as the Public Order Act, is a Swedish statute that regulates public order and safety in public spaces. It provides authorities, primarily the police, with powers to prevent disturbances, regulate activities, and safeguard people and property in streets, squares, and other publicly accessible areas.

The act covers matters such as disturbances, noise, loitering, street trading, and the organization of assemblies and demonstrations. It authorizes police and other authorities to issue prohibitions, set conditions, disperse gatherings, remove persons or equipment, and impose temporary restrictions to restore or protect public order. Enforcement mechanisms include warnings, fines, or other sanctions defined by the act. The legislation interacts with municipal regulations and other national laws governing demonstrations, traffic, and criminal activity, and it operates within the broader Swedish legal framework.

In practice, ordningslagen is applied by police during events, protests, markets, and other public activities. It is designed to balance public order with constitutional protections for freedom of expression and assembly, requiring that measures be proportionate and legally justified. The act has undergone numerous amendments to reflect changing conditions in Swedish society, such as urbanization, crowd management, and public safety concerns, while remaining a central element of Sweden’s approach to maintaining public order in public spaces.