Denmark’s parliament has voted in favour of seizing the assets of asylum seekers to help pay for their stay while their claims are processed.
The controversial law is part of a package of immigration reforms designed to make the country less appealing for migrants.
The new measures, which also delay family reunions by increasing the waiting period from one to up to three years, had cross-party support and passed with an overwhelming majority.
Out of the 109 parliamentarians who voted, 81 backed the bill which was presented by the minority Liberal Party government of Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen.
He was helped by the support of the opposition Social Democrats and the anti-immigration Danish People’s Party – Denmark’s two largest parties. One lawmaker abstained and 70 others were absent.
Under the new measures, valuables worth more than about £1,000 will be seized by police as migrants enter the country to help cover their housing and food costs.
After considerable uproar Parliament clarified that jewellery, including wedding rings, and other sentimental possessions would not be taken.
The UN and other human rights organisations have condemned the legislation, saying it breaks international laws on refugees.
Critics said separating families was inhumane and would severely affect integration efforts.
However, the Danish government claimed the measures have been “terribly misunderstood”.
It argued that Danes who want to qualify for social benefits may also have to sell their valuables.
Government spokesman Marcus Knuth said: “This misconception that Danish authorities would take personal valuables and so on is so, so wrong.
“We’re simply asking that if asylum seekers – in the rare case where they do come with enough means to pay for themselves then – following exactly the same rules as for Danish citizens wishing to be on unemployment benefits – if you can pay for yourself, well then you should pay for yourself, before the Danish welfare system does it.”
However, Johanne Schmidt-Nielsen from the opposition left Red-Green Alliance that was against the legislation, said “this is a symbolic move to scare people away” from seeking asylum in Denmark.
President of the Danish National Party, Kashif Ahmad, told Sky News: “I don’t believe it’s going to be useful in practice and therefore I am against these rules that have gone through parliament.
“There is a connotation and similarity to the 1930s and 1940s in Germany where we saw the Nazis confiscating large amounts of gold from Jews and others.
“Therefore I believe it’s a disgrace and it’s a shameful law that we passed.”
But Anders Vistisen, MEP for the Danish People’s Party, told Sky: “We are protecting refugees and not putting them into gas chambers.
“And it is frankly offensive to both Danes and victims of the Nazi regime to imply otherwise.”
Switzerland requires asylum seekers to hand over cash of more than 1,000 francs (£685) and some German states do take funds from refugees.
Mr Vistisen added of the Danish plans: “I don’t think the revenue will be big but it will send a certain signal that you should not come to Denmark for economical reasons.”
Sky’s Ian Woods said over 70% of Danes think the migrant issue was the most important issue facing the country.
He said the adoption of the new measures, which were backed by the main-centre left opposition, reflected a marked shift to the right in Danish politics.
Denmark received 21,300 asylum-seekers, one of the highest rates per capita in the EU, last year.
The country, which has a population of 5.6 million, has introduced tougher border controls until at least early next month.
By comparison, neighbouring Sweden took 160,000 migrants last year, while Germany took over one million.
Culled From: http://news.sky.com/story/1630107/denmark-passes-tough-new-immigration-law
