Danish Politicians Warn UK Against Emulating “Inhumane” Asylum Policy
Danish politicians have cautioned the UK against adopting Denmark’s stringent asylum policy, labeling it as a misguided move that could fuel racism. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood recently unveiled a series of robust measures, inspired by Denmark, aimed at expediting the removal of families, including children, from the country.
Members of the Danish Parliament, speaking to The Sunday Mirror, expressed strong opposition to the proposed measures and urged the UK to reconsider its approach. Helene Brydensholt from The Alternative party criticized the policy, citing a rise in racism on Danish streets, while Peder Hvelplund of The Red-Green Alliance condemned it as “inhumane.” Additionally, Torsten Gejl highlighted potential discrimination in employment against individuals with names like Muhammad.
Brydensholt emphasized the negative impact of stringent citizenship policies on integration, stressing the importance of granting full citizenship to foster societal inclusion. She also pointed out that the policy failed to curb racism in Denmark. Criticism was also directed at plans to confiscate valuables from asylum seekers, with Brydensholt and Gejl underscoring the detrimental effects of such measures on social cohesion and xenophobia.
Hvelplund, a member of the Immigration and Integration Committee, warned that Denmark’s policy had exacerbated racism and urged the UK to avoid replicating it. He highlighted the political shift in Denmark, where far-right sentiments gained traction due to stringent immigration policies.
The Danish Refugee Council echoed concerns, noting that Denmark’s approach had not deterred far-right movements and emphasizing the importance of providing support for refugees to facilitate integration and societal contribution.
In response, a Home Office spokesperson defended the UK’s reforms, asserting that the measures aimed to combat illegal migration effectively and enhance the country’s ability to address the issue.