Outrage at the Danish move to vote on seizing refugees’ assets

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Tuesday 26 Jan 2016 - 12:07 Makkah mean time-16-4-1437 (Image from EPA) Brussels, (IINA) - Denmark’s parliament will be voting on Tuesday on integrating a law that would allow assets to be seized from asylum seekers entering the country, DPA reported. The Council of Europe, a human rights watchdog, has expressed concerns that the law could violate fundamental property rights. Some critics have also made comparisons with the Nazi regime, which confiscated the goods of Jews during World War II. However, during a debate in the European Parliament on Monday, Danish Foreign Minister Kristian Jensen and Immigration Minister Inger Stojberg argued that the proposed law is fair, in line with the Danish welfare model and compatible with international rules. It allows for asylum seekers' belongings to be searched and for cash or valuables exceeding 10,000 kroner ($1,450) to be seized. The cash and proceeds from the sale of the valuables, such as watches and mobile phones, would be used to pay for the asylum seekers' stay in Denmark. Valuables that have "sentimental value", such as wedding and engagement rings, would be off-limits. "[We] think that it is fair and reasonable that those asylum seekers who do bring enough assets with them should cover the costs of their food and lodging during the asylum process", Stojberg said. "When you have such a broad, universal welfare system as the Danish one, this is also based on this basic principle that if you can support yourself, you have to do so". The Danish bill is set to pass today as the minority government of right-leaning Liberals has secured backing from others, including the main opposition Social Democrats and the anti-immigrant Danish People's Party. But Jensen and Stojberg faced pushback on Monday from liberal and left-wing EU parliamentarians, far-left German lawmaker Cornelia Ernst said: "This law ... goes completely in the wrong direction", adding that "refugees completely liquidate their households - if they even still had one - and take their last money and valuables with them, which you now confiscate. How can you ensure there is proportionality here?" Swedish lawmaker Cecilia Wikstrom said: "You will never, ever convince me that this is either responsible or proportionate … It does not matter how serious the situation or how strong the pressure is, we are the richest region on the planet, and if we are not taking responsibility, tell me who should do it then?" AG/IINA