June 11, 2021
ARGOS – International Observatory for Migration and Human Rights expresses its deepest concern about the change of the law regulating asylum in the Kingdom of Denmark, as it represents a serious setback in terms of international humanitarian law and human rights, and undermines progress in the protection of migrants.

Last Thursday, June 3, 2021, the Danish parliament passed a law that allows asylum seekers to be forcibly relocated to third countries outside the European Union while awaiting a decision on their case; if asylum is accepted, the person must reside in the assigned third country until repatriation, once the situation giving rise to the asylum has been resolved.

We are concerned that the Danish government is discussing agreements with a group of countries outside the European Union, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Rwanda, to accept asylum seekers in Denmark in exchange for payment, in a dynamic of externalization of asylum and commodification of migration.

This rule removes the possibility for Denmark to offer asylum on its territory to anyone who requests it, regardless of the seriousness of their situation. The decision is particularly worrying, especially considering that it occurs in a country known for its openness to those who have been persecuted in different regions of the world for decades.

If this anti-asylum policy is maintained, xenophobic and discriminatory attitudes against migrant populations could deepen.
On the other hand, this parliamentary decision is in addition to the recent measure of the Prime Minister, Mette Frederiksen, to revoke the asylum status of a group of two hundred refugees of Syrian origin. In the face of criticism, the government argues that some regions of Syria are already safe.

We are concerned about the effect that this rule may exert on the legislations of other EU countries, especially in the context of the still active war conflict in Syria, which affects the entire region and requires the greatest regional commitment to ensure the human rights of people affected by this conflict.

In the face of these facts:

📌 We call upon the Kingdom of Denmark to comply with its responsibilities regarding human rights and international humanitarian law.

📌 We demand that the Kingdom of Denmark respect the guarantee of non-refoulement of persons seeking asylum, maintaining policies aimed at the social integration of the refugee population.

📌 We urge the international community and especially the European Union to take a stand and prevent the process of externalization of borders and asylum.

📌 We demand greater commitment from the Kingdom of Denmark and the international community in the fight against xenophobia and discrimination of migrant populations.

📌 We call for the immediate annulment of this regulation by the Danish government, as well as a real change in migration policies that prioritize respect for the human rights of people seeking refuge.