BY
ALEXANDER TANGE
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.
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