Denmark passes tough migrant law as Nordic refugee welcome
dims
By Alexander Tange
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) - Denmark's parliament passed measures
on Tuesday aimed at deterring refugees from seeking asylum, including
confiscating valuables to pay for their stay, despite protests from
international human rights organizations.
The measures, which also include extending family reunification
among refugees from one year to three years, are the latest sign that the
Nordic welcome for refugees is waning as large numbers flee war in Africa and
Middle East for a better life in Europe.
The "jewelry bill" is the latest attempt by
Denmark's minority center-right government to curb immigration to a country
that took in a record 20,000 refugees last year.
Under the bill, refugees could keep possessions amounting to
10,000 Danish crowns ($1,450), raised from 3,000 crowns after criticism from
human rights organizations. Valuables of special emotional value such as
wedding rings will be exempt.
The Liberals Party government has just 34 out of 179 seats
in parliament and depends on support of rightist parties, including the
anti-immigration Danish People's Party (DF), to pass laws.
During a three and a half hour debate, dissenting voices
from small leftwing parties were heard including from Red Green Alliance.
But the bill passed with an overwhelming majority, backed by
the main center-left opposition party Social Democrats, highlighting a shift to
the right in Denmark's political landscape thanks to DF's popularity and rising
concern over refugee numbers.
"I wouldn't say that I have become racist or
anything," said Poul Madsen, a taxi driver, before the bill was passed.
"But I may be more aware of the fact that this has some downsides and may
be a potential problem for our society and our economy."
NORDIC WELCOME FADES
Denmark is not the only one Nordxic country trying to shut
its doors to migrants. Sweden, which took in over 160,000 refugees last year,
the most per capita in Europe, introduced checks on its border to Denmark at
the start of the year.
Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Lofven promised on Monday more
resources for police after an employee was stabbed to death at a refugee center
for unaccompanied minors. A minor was arrested on suspicion of murder or
manslaughter after the incident in western Sweden, local TT news agency
reported.
A poll on Monday showed support for Lofven's Social
Democrats at its lowest for nearly 50 years, in part due to a sense the
government was unable to cope with the refugee influx.
Norway, meanwhile, has been trying to send back refugees who
crossed over from Russia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on
Tuesday Moscow would not take them back.
Denmark is also not alone in targeting migrants' valuables.
Switzerland has started taking valuables from asylum seekers over 1,000 Swiss
francs ($985), the German state of Baden-Württemberg valuables above 350 euros
($380), while other southern states have been reported to do the same.
"Most (refugees) have lost everything and yet this
legislation appears to say that the few fortunate enough to have survived the
trip to Denmark with their few remaining possessions haven't lost enough,"
the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) said, mirroring
criticism from many organizations.
(Additional reporting by Annabella Pultz and Erik Matzen; Writing
by Sabina Zawadzki; Editing by Alistair Scrutton and Richard Balmforth)
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