Refugees Daily - Internal Global Press Review

In recent months, Denmark has taken a fairly harsh stance toward refugees. In September, for example, authorities published an advertisement in Lebanese newspapers carrying an unmistakable message to anyone who might think about seeking asylum: Don't come to Denmark.

Now, the country is debating an even more extreme step: The government is considering a law that would allow authorities to confiscate jewelry from refugees entering the country. The proposal is almost certain to pass Parliament.

"It is pretty telling about the current Danish policies that [some] are not quite sure whether this is a hoax or not," said Zachary Whyte, an asylum and integration researcher at the University of Copenhagen. In this case, it's real.

The proposal would provide "Danish authorities with the power to search clothes and luggage of asylum seekers – and other migrants without a permit to stay in Denmark – with a view to finding assets which may cover the expenses," the Danish Ministry of Immigration, Integration and Housing said in an email to The Washington Post.

The proposal is included in an asylum policy bill that is expected to pass Parliament in January and would be set to take effect by February.

According to the integration ministry, "the new rule on seizure will only apply to assets of a considerable value." Foreigners are expected to be able to "keep assets which are necessary to maintain a modest standard of living, e.g. watches and mobile phones. Furthermore, assets which have a certain personal, sentimental value to a foreigner will not, as a main rule, be seized unless they have [considerable] value."

There were discrepancies in how the proposed law was being interpreted.

"Absurdly, the minister of justice initially explained the law on television by saying that it would apply to a hypothetical asylum seeker arriving with a suitcase full of diamonds. This prompted the Danish People's Party to point out that items of smaller value should also be impounded," Whyte said, adding that he sees no reason for the measure.

"Asylum seekers generally do not arrive in Denmark with large amounts of cash and jewelry," he said.

The proposal "has been branded petty and cruel, and some opponents have asked whether the government would also be taking out asylum seekers' gold fillings," Whyte said. The idea of seizing jewelry from people who are fleeing has a particularly bitter connotation in Europe, where the Nazis confiscated large amounts of gold and other valuables from Jews and others.

The Danish integration ministry emphasized, however, that current rules already require refugees with sufficient financial means to pay for their stay.

Although the seized valuables are supposed to pay for refugee-related expenditures, the financial impact could be of less consequence. Experts say the Danish government is more interested in sending a message.

"Europe currently receives a very high number of refugees," the Ministry of Immigration, Integration and Housing said in defense of the measure. "Denmark does take a share. However, [too many refugees] put pressure on the Danish society and make it more difficult to ensure a successful integration of those who come to Denmark."