Denmark condemned over immigration

A swing to the right in the Danish election last November brought to power a centre-right coalition led by Fogh Rasmussen

COPENHAGEN, Denmark – The Danish government has been criticised by the United Nations refugee agency, the UNHCR, over proposals to restrict the number of foreigners entering the country.

The UNHCR confirmed on Tuesday it was particularly concerned with policies limiting family reunification, the definition of who is entitled to protection in Denmark, welfare benefits and returning people to countries declared to be "safe."

The UNHCR said in a letter to the Danish government: "Specific aspects of the bill and commentary appear inconsistent with international refugee and human rights law."

The integration package was also criticised by three European Union member states, including Sweden, Belgium and France, who wrote to the Danish government late last week.

The letter, received by Danish Social Affairs Minister, Henriette Kjaer, expressed "profound concern in relation to a legislative package on foreigners currently being discussed by Danish parliament."

Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen's centre-right coalition, which came to power in November, wants to limit the number of immigrants to ensure that those already in the country find jobs and integrate into Danish society.

Around five percent of Denmark's 5.3 million inhabitants are foreigners, a lower proportion than in much of Europe, Reuters reports.

The government has proposed only admitting refugees entitled to protection under international conventions and abolishing a loose category of "de facto refugees."

The government also proposed rising the minimum age at which immigrants can bring a foreign spouse to live in Denmark from 18 to 24 under family reunion regulations.

Permanent residence permits will in the future only be given after seven years instead of the current three, and full entitlement to welfare benefits will be denied for the first seven years.

The UNHCR also criticised the proposal to abolish the chance to seek asylum at Danish embassies abroad and the plans to lower social benefits to refugees so they only receive 40-70 percent of the normal social benefits rate.

The minister for refugees, immigration and integration, Bertel Harder, said the government would not change its proposals, which are expected to be passed in the parliament next month.

"Some of the remarks from the UNHCR will lead to more precise formulations of the proposal but not to actual amendments," Harder told the Jyllands-Posten newspaper on Tuesday.

The Danish People's Party said it would set up a commission, which should define how to interpret UN refugee conventions.

The leader of the party, Pia Kjaersgaard, said: "The criticism is unjustified and we shouldn't turn a deaf ear to it. If necessary let us try a Danish interpretation at the court of law," she told Ritzau news agency.

Sweden, France and Belgium requested further information in their letter to Kjaer, signed by labour ministers of the three countries, on how the legislation could restrict family reunions and hamper access to social welfare.

"What is more, it is important to us to find out whether the new legislation applies to European citizens or residents and their families," the three ministers said in their letter.

While planning to tighten the rules on immigration, Denmark gives more aid to developing nations per head of its population than any other country -- and for the first time two immigrants won seats in parliament in November.

Denmark will take over the six-month rotating EU presidency from Spain in July.