Danish Lawmakers Debate Seizing Refugees’ Valuables
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Denmark’s parliament began debating a controversial plan to seize refugees’ valuables, with the bill widely expected to pass a Jan. 26 vote after being backed by a majority of lawmakers.
The bill has been criticized by UN refugee agency UNHCR, which fears it will “fuel fear” and “xenophobia,” while international media have compared the searches to Nazi Germany’s seizing of gold and valuables from Jews and others during World War II.
The proposal would allow Danish authorities to seize asylum seekers’ cash exceeding 10,000 kroner ($1,450), as well as any items valued at more than 10,000 kroner, AFP reported on Thursday.
Wedding rings would be exempt, along with other items of sentimental value, such as engagement rings, family portraits and medals.
Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen’s right-wing government has faced a wave of criticism over its proposal, which had initially put the limit for migrants at 3,000 kroner.
It has since backtracked, and finally reached agreement with other parties in parliament Tuesday to secure a majority for the vote.
The Scandinavian country has some of Europe’s strictest immigration policies, and has repeatedly tightened its regulations in recent months to deter foreigners from seeking a new life in the country.
But the bill, even in its amended form, was criticized Wednesday by a group of 10 local and regional members of Rasmussen’s ruling Venstre party.
“It is not just a matter of proper policy and humanity, but also Denmark’s international reputation,” they wrote in the Berlingske daily.
In a near-empty parliament Wednesday, Social Democratic lawmaker Dan Jorgensen defended what he called a “compromise” solution hammered out “in a difficult situation.”
Denmark, a country of 5.4 million, received 21,000 asylum applications last year, compared to 163,000 in neighboring Sweden, home to 9.8 million people.
European Union Vice President Frans Timmerman said Wednesday the 28-nation bloc would examine the Danish plan “once the law is adopted and ... then give our official position to the Danish government.”
The proposal is part of a bigger immigration bill. Wednesday’s debate was the first of several to be held ahead of the Jan. 26 vote on the pending proposal.