Among the states that could provide this service to Denmark are, for example, Rwanda, writes the AFP agency. There is also talk of Ethiopia and Eritrea. The costs of the whole process will be paid by Copenhagen. The law states that a refugee may be retained in that third country even if his / her application for asylum is granted.
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Concerns about the new Danish law have been expressed by the European Commission. “The external processing of asylum applications raises questions about asylum procedures and access to effective protection,” said European Commission spokesman Adalbert Jahnz. He emphasized that the possibility of applying for asylum was a fundamental right in the European Union.
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The law has also been criticized by human rights organizations. The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) last month asked Copenhagen not to approve the standard. “UNHCR remains strongly opposed to asylum seekers being forcibly transferred to other countries,” said Gillian Triggs. “Such practices violate the rights of people who seek safety and protection, demonize and punish them, and endanger their lives,” she added.
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Human rights organizations warn that if other countries follow the Danish example, the right to asylum will be jeopardized. However, Danish Migration Minister Mattias Tesfaye says the measure is more humane than current processes because it will reduce the influx of refugees who risk their lives on dangerous migration routes for a better life.
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Danish Social Democrat Prime Minister and President Mette Frederiksen pledged to curb migration in her election campaign. Since 2019, when she holds the post of Prime Minister, she has been tightening her migration policy.
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In 2020, 1547 people applied for asylum in Denmark, which is at least since 1992. About 600 asylum seekers were granted asylum in Denmark last year, while in 2015 it was more than 10,000. In April, Denmark was the first European country not to renew the residence permit of Syrian refugees, explaining that part of Syrian territory was already safe enough for them to return home.
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