Denmark's Immigration Minister fired over failure on citizenship issue

Denmark's Immigration Minister fired over failure on citizenship issue

2011-03-08 22:54:35 GMT+7 (ICT)

COPENHAGEN, DENMARK (BNO NEWS) -- Denmark's Prime Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen on Tuesday fired his Immigration Minister over failure on Palestinians citizenship issue, the Copenhagen Post reported.

Birthe Rønn Hornbech was dismissed as Immigration Minister due to a report remarking her failure to grant stateless Palestinians citizenship, in violation of United Nations conventions.

PM Rasmussen decided to let Hornbech go after weeks of controversy and after receiving the report on the Integration Ministry's handling of citizenship applications from Palestinians.

The 1961 UN convention, to which Denmark is a signatory, is designed to curb statelessness. Stateless children born in a foreign country have the right to choose citizenship there until their 21st birthday.

Hornbech initially rejected criticism of her role in the issue and said that the rejection to the Palestinian people seeking citizenship was made under the watch of previous ministers.

However, two government officials, whose names were not disclosed, confirmed that Hornbech was made aware of the citizenship issue back in 2008. The former minister later admitted the revelations made last week.

Development Minister Søren Pind is the main candidate to replace Hornbech. The 41-year-old politician was appointed in his current post by PM Rasmussen. It is expected that he will retain his current position as well.

Pind has a good working relationship with the right-wing Danish People's Party and often found himself under the spotlight due to being outspoken and his clashes with the media and press.

Also on Tuesday, Tina Nedergaard announced her resignation as Education Minister. She cited personal affairs as the reason of her dismissal after being minister for a year. Liberal lawmaker Peter Christiansen seems to be the successor of Nedergaard.

The new ministers are expected to be announced shortly. Other rumors indicate that Christiansen will take over the Tax Ministry instead of Troels Lund Poulsen who could be appointed over the Education Ministry.

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