Don’t damn Denmark: it’s not that bad

Commentary feature. Despite the jewellery law adopted in January 2016, Denmark has one of the least hostile policies towards migrants, when compared to its European neighbours. Nneighbouring Norway, for example, is considering far stricter immigration laws. But the Danish government appears to want to project a tougher image – possibly stricter than it really is (hence the adverts in the Lebanese press in 2015 telling migrants they were not welcome.

Separately, The Local.dk reported an article in Politiken in February 2016 which disclosed that Danish police took the mobile phones of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers if they are 'assumed to be of importance for establishing a foreigner’s identity'.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Denmark: Govt gets backing for bill on taking migrants' cash http://www.europeansources.info/record/denmark-govt-gets-backing-for-bill-on-taking-migrants-cash-denmark-passes-controversial-bill-to-take-migrants-valuables/

Denmark: Embassy in the UK: News, 28.01.16: Facts: Denmark and the refugee crisis in Europe http://storbritannien.um.dk/en/news/newsdisplaypage/?newsID=8DBD3A41-9689-4C9A-80E3-7D3836EB6A01

The Local.dk, 16.02.16: Danish police taking asylum seekers' phones http://www.thelocal.dk/20160216/danish-police-taking-mobile-phones-from-underage-asylum-seekers

The Local.dk, 05.02.16: Here’s how Denmark’s famed ‘jewellery law’ works http://www.thelocal.dk/20160205/heres-how-denmarks-controversial-jewellery-law-works

The Local.dk, 15.02.16: Denmark's 'jewellery law' has brought in no money http://www.thelocal.dk/20160215/denmarks-jewellery-law-has-brought-in-no-money

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