Denmark: migrants to have valuables confiscated



COPENHAGEN: -- The Danish parliament has voted in a bill aimed at deterring asylum seekers.

The legislation includes controversial proposals to confiscate money and valuables from migrants arriving in the country.

The “jewellery” bill

Supporters of the legislation say it will help migrants pay for their upkeep.

The authorities say the legislation will put asylum seekers on a level footing with unemployed Danes.

They must sell assets above a certain amount to qualify for benefit payments.

There are also plans to extend the period before family members are allowed to join relatives who have migrated.

The proposal would increase the wait from one year to three.

The bill has broad cross-party support and is likely to be passed.

Critics say the legislation is aimed at deterring migrants from coming to Denmark in the first place.

What is the situation in Denmark?

Denmark is expecting around 20,000 asylum seekers in 2016.

Analysts say the so-called “jewellery bill” is the latest attempt by the seven-month-old minority centre-right government to contain the process.

Figures suggest almost 37,000 migrants arrived in Europe by land and sea in January 2016.

177 are known to have died while making the journey.

Click here for the latest information on the number of migrants arriving in Europe

Migrants explain why they do not want to seek asylum in Denmark:

How would the Danish law work?

Migrants allowed to bring 10,000 Danish crowns (1,340 euros) into the country.

Any funds above this amount will be confiscated by police at the border.

Objects worth more than this amount will also be confiscated.

However, items with strong sentimental value (like a wedding ring) can be kept.

Is Denmark alone with this policy?

No.

Since the 1990s, asylum seekers arriving in Switzerland with more than 1,000 swiss francs have had the extra confiscated.

However, they are allowed to keep valuable objects.

The bill is hugely controversial. Here is a selection of what people are saying about it

Denmark’s proposed legislation has whipped up a storm of criticism from commentators.

“Lots of refugees are crossing our borders, we are under enormous pressure.”- Danish immigration minister Inger Støjberg

“What we are saying is, if you want to come to Europe, you would be better off avoiding Denmark.” – Martin Henriksen, Danish Popular Party spokesperson.


-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-01-27

Interesting report on BBC yesterday ahead of the vote which said the 3 year wait for migrants to have family join them was as controversial as the confiscation of valuables.

A reporter said she had been out to migrant camps and gave an example of one migrant who complained he'd waited 8 months already and still no permission to bring his family so he's wait one more month then it was just as well he went home.

Go ahead, I doubt many will try to stop you.

An attitude along the lines of the protest chant :

What Do We Want ?

Everything !

When Do We Want It ?

NOW !

This is absurd, many of these people have already lost virtually everything that they own and risked their lives in search of a new home... only to be treated like criminals.

It makes me ashamed to be a human being.

This is absurd, many of these people have already lost virtually everything that they own and risked their lives in search of a new home... only to be treated like criminals.

It makes me ashamed to be a human being.

How do you know that?

They turn up carrying smart phones? How do you know they have no money sitting in a bank account or other assets in their home countries?

And anyway - where does all the money come from to pay the upkeep of these people? Do you think it is an infinite pool of cash?

Bottom line is they'll now go elsewhere - they wont want to lose their smartphones and will choose another country.

do they have to do 90 day reporting?

then shut up cry babies.

Why shouldn't somebody who has the means to support themselves, do just that. Nobody supports the Brits if they have the means to support themselves. Our old folk have to sell their houses when they cannot take care of themselves to move into a Old Peoples Home. Can anybody tell me the difference?

Charity begins at home!

I don't see the problem.

The stuff confiscated will just go back to housing and welfare for these refugees.

Good. Might be a deterrent.