UN opposes Danish law to deport asylum seekers
The United Nations has opposed a new law issued in Denmark that provides for the deportation of asylum seekers outside the country or the use of other countries to implement international protection obligations for them.
“The step taken by Denmark to evade responsibility goes against the text of the 1951 Refugee Convention,” said UNHCR chief Filippo Grandi.
He added in a tweet on his Twitter account: “UNHCR strongly opposes the Danish efforts that seek to transfer the obligations of asylum and international protection to other countries.”
Commission spokesman Babar Baloch said: “The Danish parliament has approved amendments to the Aliens Act, which will enter into force if Denmark concludes a formal agreement with a third country.”
“This law could allow for the forcible transfer of asylum seekers and waive Denmark’s responsibility for the asylum process and the protection of vulnerable refugees,” he added at a press conference in Geneva.
He stressed, “UNHCR will continue to participate in negotiations with Denmark, to find practical ways that guarantee the confidence of the Danish people and respect Denmark’s international obligations towards refugees.”
And on Thursday, the Danish Parliament passed a law allowing the transfer of refugees who arrive on Danish territory to asylum centers it establishes in a partner country, possibly outside Europe, to pursue their asylum cases there, according to the local “The Local Denmark” website.
In 1951, the United Nations General Assembly approved the Refugee Convention, which sets out the type of legal protection, assistance and social rights that refugees should receive from the signatories to this document.
