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The recent decision to revoke the asylum of more than 200 Syrians in Denmark has sparked protests.
For decades, Denmark has been known as one of the most refugee-friendly countries in the world. It is not in vain that it was the first nation to sign in 1951 the United Nations Convention which establishes the mechanisms to protect them.
Over the past decade, however, old policies on issues such as immigration or asylum have changed significantly, belying the “liberal paradise” image that many have of this country.
On Thursday, the Danish Parliament passed new legislation to relocate asylum seekers to other countries outside the European Unionwhere they will have to wait for their case to be decided but which, moreover, would leave the possibility that they end up being welcomed not by Denmark but by this other country.
The standard was approved by a large majority of 70 votes in favor and only 24 against.
In statements quoted by Reuters, Danish government spokesman Rasmus Stoklund clarified the purpose of the new legislation.
“If you apply for asylum in Denmark, you know that you will be sent to a country outside Europe and therefore we hope that people will stop seeking asylum in Denmark“, said.
The Danish authorities are actively looking for countries willing to receive their asylum seekers and, last April, SignatureArron an agreement with Rwanda to cooperate on immigration and asylumwhich has sparked speculation about the possibility of establishing such a treatment center in the African country.
The initiative to leave the management of asylum applications in the hands of third parties has been harshly criticized by the UN, the European Commission and various NGOs.
“Lack of solidarity”
Already last April, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) warned that the Danish legislative proposal could trigger a “race to the bottom” if other countries follow suit.
image sources, APE
Syrians who fled to Europe left behind towns destroyed by the conflict.
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) also strongly questioned the new law and called for its rejection.
“The idea of outsourcing the processing of asylum applications is both irresponsible and unsupportivethe DRC said in a statement.
The European Commission, for its part, questioned the compatibility of the new law with Denmark’s international commitments.
“External processing of asylum applications raises fundamental questions regarding both access to asylum procedures and effective protection. This is not possible under current EU rules,” said Adalbert Jahnz, spokesperson for the European Commission.
But this legislation is only the latest of many measures taken by Denmark in recent times to toughen its asylum and immigration policies.
close the doors
One of the measures which perhaps best shows the course taken by Denmark on these issues is the fact that in mid-May it became the first European country to withdraw its asylum status more than 200 refugees from Syria.
image sources, Getty Images
In many cities in Denmark there were demonstrations in favor of the refugees.
His argument? That parts of Syria are already safe enough for them to return.
The decision drew sharp criticism from refugee aid organizations and instilled fear among the community of 35,000 Syrians residing in the Nordic country.
“Returning is a risk for anyone who left Syria. My whole life is here. How can I go back now?” said Sara, a 19-year-old Syrian woman who was stripped of family asylum and given 60 days to leave the country.
Mohammed Almalees, a 30-year-old Syrian refugee who will be able to stay in Denmark – unlike his parents and sister who will have to return – agrees in warning of the dangers of returning asylum seekers to Syria.
image sources, Getty Images
Image from a march in Denmark in 2018 in favor of banning the wearing of the niqab.
“The regime has the names of those who demonstrated against (Bashar) al-Assad in Syria and Denmark. They monitor social media,” he said.
Sara Kayyali, Syria researcher at Human Rights Watch, said Danish authorities’ assessment of the situation there was flawed.
“It is not safe for refugees to return. The risk of being arbitrarily detained, persecuted and tortured by Syrian security services remains today,” he said.
But how and why has Danish policy in this area changed?
From 21,000 to zero
In 2015, Denmark saw the highest number of asylum seekers in recent times: 21,000 people.
image sources, APE
2015 was the year with the largest influx of refugees to Denmark and also when its migration policies began to tighten.
Its asylum policies were tightened several times in 2019, with a shift in focus from seeking the integration of new arrivals to focus on their temporary protection in preparation for repatriation.
Over the years, various Danish governments have developed aggressive campaigns against immigrants, including the approval of a regulation that he allowed the confiscation of clothing and valuables that asylum seekers had brought with them.
According to the Danish press, this legislation has had more of a symbolic than practical effect, since it seems that the authorities applied it only in a very limited way.
A few months ago, the Danish government proposed a law aimed at reduce the number of “non-Western” residents living in the so-called “ghettos” or unprotected neighborhoods, limiting the amount to 30% in 10 years.
Interior Minister Kaare Dybvad Bek said having too many non-Western foreigners in a neighborhood “increases the risk of parallel religious and cultural societies emerging”.
And we have to remember that in 2015 the Danish government published advertisements in some foreign newspapers in which they clearly stated that refugees were not welcome in this country.
The truth is that the hardening of Danish immigration policies, paradoxically, was not only promoted by the right, since, in fact, the ruling Social Democratic Party also did the same to recover voters who had leaned to the right.
Martin Lemberg-Pedersen, associate professor at the Center for Advanced Migration Studies, points out that currently the danish system does not believe that integration can workTherefore, their policies focus on a “logic of deterrence”, on sending a message so that potential immigrants do not see this country as a possible destination.
image sources, AFP
Inger Stojberg is known for the controversial immigration policies she championed when she was minister.
Last year, the number of asylum applications fell by 1,500, of which only 600 were approved, the lowest in three decades.
“This is really good news,” said Immigration and Integration Minister Mattias Tesfaye.
“The coronavirus, of course, played a role, but I think – above all – it was because of our strict foreign policy. Many who come here do not need any protection,” he said. -he adds.
Currently, the target number of refugees the government expects to receive is zeroalleging that the money saved can be used to strengthen the welfare state.
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