I’ve had a pile of stuff on the on-going conflict involving Denmark and the Iraqi refugees they have been deporting, but lacking time, have posted little of it. So, just accept this simple summary. Many Iraqis who arrived (presumably illegally and then asked for asylum) in Denmark have been ordered deported. So, political activists hid them in a church and ultimately authorities entered the church and physically removed them—a riot ensued. Now, according to this report, Denmark says it will take refugees that the UN designates, but only Burmese, no more Iraqis.
Below is the whole short article from the Copenhagen Post:
Despite announcing just two months ago that Denmark could accept the Iraqi refugees as agreed by the UN, Immigration Minister Birthe Rønn Hornbech has now said they will not be the first choice this year.
Head of the Social Liberal party Margrethe Vestager is demanding an explanation for the u-turn and said she suspected that domestic politics may be responsible. ‘Birthe Rønn doesn’t want to be in a position where she is throwing Iraqis out of the country, while at the same time bringing more in,’ said Vestager to Politiken newspaper.
The minister did not wish to elaborate on the reasons for the change, but told the paper that past experience showed that Burmese refugees were good at integrating into their new country.
Quota refugees are different to asylum seekers in that they are resettled in a country following agreement with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
Denmark has agreed to take approximately 500 of these refugees annually, who are selected under a number of criteria, such as geographical regions, those who are critically ill and need treatment, those who are at risk of being sent back to their original country or those who are currently in danger where they are living.
Note to Danish government: If it’s Muslims you are concerned about, although many Burmese refugees are Christian, take into consideration that Burmese Rohingya are Muslims too.
To learn more than you ever wanted to know about Rohingya, visit our category on the topic here (80 posts!). So far, the US has not officially taken any Rohingya, but Canada, Australia, the UK and Ireland have, among others.