Sweden: expert advises against begging ban
Krister Thelin, a former judge appointed as a special investigator, has advised the Swedish government not to impose a nationwide ban on begging which the right-wing populist Sweden Democrats in particular had pushed for. After nine months of research, Thelin concluded that local bans suffice. Begging is already on the decline in Sweden, mainly due to the fact that people use less cash. The national press debates the pros and cons of a begging ban.
Criminalising the problem won't solve it
Sydsvenskan sees a ban as unnecessary:
“On the one hand because begging is less widespread today than it was ten years ago, and on the other because municipalities already have the option of introducing local bans. Furthermore, it's been noted that a nationwide ban could 'encroach on certain human rights'. An important point. Of course there are problems associated with begging, such as organised crime and human exploitation, but at the same time many poor people earn their living this way. Yes, this is tragic, but criminalising it won't solve the problem.”
Only the bad guys benefit
For Expressen, on the other hand, a ban makes sense:
“The fact that begging still exists - and may increase again for unforeseen reasons - is an argument in favour of a nationwide ban. ... In the long term begging brings no benefits. Either for the beggars - even if they're here of their own free will - or for Swedish cities, which are struggling with tent and shanty camps that have no sewage disposal or other sanitation facilities. In fact the only ones who do benefit are the ruthless criminal gangs that force people to beg and make money from human trafficking, prostitution and drug dealing.”