SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Court to decide – is Denmark's "ghetto list" illegal?

Denmark's "ghetto law" has sparked strong criticism after the state forcibly relocated residents based on ethnicity. Now the issue will be decided in the EU court. It is an interesting legal question that will be able to become a principle in the entire EU, says the residents' lawyer Eddie Omar Rosenberg Khawaja.

» Updated: 05 October 2024, 10:04

» Published: 30 September 2024

Court to decide – is Denmark's "ghetto list" illegal?
Photo: Johan Nilsson/TT

In Taastrupgaard outside Copenhagen, opinions about the Danish "ghetto law" are divided. On one side of the area, there are dilapidated houses that are to be demolished after ending up on the country's "ghetto list". On the other side, there are newly built apartments where residents have already started moving in.

It was really needed. My old apartment was full of mold, says a man who didn't mind moving.

Two younger residents who are waiting to move in lament the new construction.

They tore down my home and all my childhood memories. We'll also have to pay more in rent now. They just want to make money off us, says one of them.

Demonstrated for several years

Denmark's "ghetto law" has since its introduction in 2018 sparked strong criticism from organizations that believe it is discriminatory to forcibly relocate residents based on ethnicity.

Yet, the Danish state went ahead with the law and demolished residential areas based on an assessment of four criteria: income, unemployment, crime, and non-Western citizens.

In the Mjölnerparken residential area in Copenhagen, residents demonstrated for several years, and as soon as they realized they would lose the battle, they turned to a lawyer to take legal action.

In Denmark, it stopped at the High Court, which considered the issue to be of principle and therefore should be taken up by the EU Court of Justice. The court will decide whether the criterion "non-Western citizens" contravenes EU directives on equal treatment, says Rosenberg Khawaja.

Stigmatizing to be pointed out

When the trial is held in Luxembourg on Monday, twelve former residents of Mjölnerparken will testify against the Danish state. The verdict is expected in three to six months.

Ethnic Danish people from Mjölnerparken will also testify to show the breadth of the problem. They have also been forced to move just because they happened to have a neighbor with the "wrong" ethnic background.

Mjölnerparken has become known as the area where the criticism has been most comprehensive. In Taastrupgaard, Dea Maria Petersen, who is responsible for the relocation, believes that most people have been positive:

As soon as they see the new apartments, they want to know when they can move in. Then it's clear that many can experience it as stigmatizing to be pointed out as a problem in society.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Trump wants to give Fox profile responsibility for public health
1 MIN READ

Trump wants to give Fox profile responsibility for public health

Let them kill us all
2 MIN READ

Let them kill us all

So EU will meet Trump - with Poland at the wheel
5 MIN READ

So EU will meet Trump - with Poland at the wheel

Norway: Will Arrest Netanyahu if He Comes Here
1 MIN READ

Norway: Will Arrest Netanyahu if He Comes Here

President threatened with murder – by Vice President
1 MIN READ

President threatened with murder – by Vice President

NATO Chief Discusses Global Security with Trump
2 MIN READ

NATO Chief Discusses Global Security with Trump

Now New Yorkers can be legally unfaithful
1 MIN READ

Now New Yorkers can be legally unfaithful

Opposition Leader Accused of Treason
1 MIN READ

Opposition Leader Accused of Treason

They can stop Trump's ministers
3 MIN READ

They can stop Trump's ministers

Canada confirms case of dangerous mpox variant
1 MIN READ

Canada confirms case of dangerous mpox variant

USA: North Koreans on their way into the Ukraine war
1 MIN READ

USA: North Koreans on their way into the Ukraine war

Six young people dead from toxic alcohol – Laos apologizes
2 MIN READ

Six young people dead from toxic alcohol – Laos apologizes

Finland's panda pair flies back to China
1 MIN READ

Finland's panda pair flies back to China

Witness in Beirut: Felt like the house was going to collapse
3 MIN READ

Witness in Beirut: Felt like the house was going to collapse

Texas Approves Bible-Based Curriculum
1 MIN READ

Texas Approves Bible-Based Curriculum

Mayor dismissed – accused of terrorism
1 MIN READ

Mayor dismissed – accused of terrorism

The Freedom Hero's Tooth in Safety After Break-in
3 MIN READ

The Freedom Hero's Tooth in Safety After Break-in

UN: Deadliest Year for Aid Workers
1 MIN READ

UN: Deadliest Year for Aid Workers

Putin wants to see more tests with the new robot
1 MIN READ

Putin wants to see more tests with the new robot

Gaetz will not return to Congress
2 MIN READ

Gaetz will not return to Congress