Danish policies 'fuel fear and xenophobia': UN
The Local Denmark - [email protected]
Published: 7 Jan, 2016 CET.
Updated: Thu 7 Jan 2016 09:08 CET
The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has called Denmark’s planned tightening of immigration rules “deeply concerning” and warn that they could “could fuel fear [and] xenophobia”.
In a sharply worded 18-page report, the UNHCR accused Denmark of violating its “long tradition of providing sanctuary to those in need” by proposing a number of new changes to immigration policies.
“The proposals presented by the government are evidently aimed at conveying a message to make it ‘less attractive’ to seek asylum in Denmark, and is a deeply concerning response to humanitarian needs. UNHCR regrets that Denmark is restricting its asylum legislation for the sole purpose of curbing the number of asylum-seekers, instead of focusing on promoting and supporting a fair distribution of asylum-seekers within all EU Member States,” the report reads.
The UNHCR expressed disapproval of the government’s plans to roll out tougher rules for family reunification and the obtainment of permanent residency and warned that the moves will likely have a noticeably negative impact on integration.
The report also calls Denmark’s controversial plan to confiscate valuables from asylum seekers “an affront to their dignity and an arbitrary interference with their right to privacy”.
“The signal Denmark’s introduction of restrictions sends to other countries in the world […] is worrisome and could fuel fear, xenophobia and similar restrictions that would reduce – rather than expand - the asylum space globally and put refugees in need at life- threatening risks,” the UNHCR writes.
The agency appealed to the Danish government to “reconsider” its sweeping changes to immigration policy.
The government's plans to tighten rules related to asylum seekers, refugees and all other immigrants enjoy a majority of support in parliament and are expected to be formally approved in the coming weeks.
The UNHCR's full report can be read here, in English.
Comments
See Also
In a sharply worded 18-page report, the UNHCR accused Denmark of violating its “long tradition of providing sanctuary to those in need” by proposing a number of new changes to immigration policies.
“The proposals presented by the government are evidently aimed at conveying a message to make it ‘less attractive’ to seek asylum in Denmark, and is a deeply concerning response to humanitarian needs. UNHCR regrets that Denmark is restricting its asylum legislation for the sole purpose of curbing the number of asylum-seekers, instead of focusing on promoting and supporting a fair distribution of asylum-seekers within all EU Member States,” the report reads.
The UNHCR expressed disapproval of the government’s plans to roll out tougher rules for family reunification and the obtainment of permanent residency and warned that the moves will likely have a noticeably negative impact on integration.
The report also calls Denmark’s controversial plan to confiscate valuables from asylum seekers “an affront to their dignity and an arbitrary interference with their right to privacy”.
“The signal Denmark’s introduction of restrictions sends to other countries in the world […] is worrisome and could fuel fear, xenophobia and similar restrictions that would reduce – rather than expand - the asylum space globally and put refugees in need at life- threatening risks,” the UNHCR writes.
The agency appealed to the Danish government to “reconsider” its sweeping changes to immigration policy.
The government's plans to tighten rules related to asylum seekers, refugees and all other immigrants enjoy a majority of support in parliament and are expected to be formally approved in the coming weeks.
The UNHCR's full report can be read here, in English.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.