A senior politician in Denmark said that his country would likely exclude Ukrainian from rules that affected Syrian and Iranian asylum seekers and refugees.
Unlike Syrians or Iranian refugees, Ukrainians are likely to be excluded from a controversial Danish “jewellery law” designed to seize assets from refugees fleeing conflicts.
The law should not be applied to Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion because they are from the “nearby region”, said Rasmus Stoklund, The immigration spokesman for the Social Democratic government.
Jewellery Law was passed to confiscate cash and valuables above $1,116 from recently arrived asylum seekers.
“The jewellery law is made for if you leave the nearby region…But that is not the case for Ukrainians,” said Stoklund as quoted by The Local.
Ever since the law was passed, Anadolu news agency reported many Iranian and Syrian refugees having cash confiscated on arrival.
Activists and human rights defenders criticised Denmark’s double standards between white Ukrainians and other refugees from the Middle East.
“Never mind equality before the law,” wrote Bjorn Ihler on Twitter, co-founder of The Khalifa Ihler Institute. “Underlines yet again the racism behind the legislation!”
The international community has dammed Denmark’s harsh treatment of Syrian refugees.
Although conflict is still ongoing in Syria, the Danish parliament passed a law in 2021 allowing authorities to deport Syrian refugees outside Europe.
During the same year, Denmark declared parts of Syria “safe” for refugees to return.
In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Denmark said it was prepared to introduce special legislation to support Ukrainian nationals, including extending visas.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said her country had “a special responsibility in relation to the Ukrainians, who are on the run from Russian missiles and cluster bombs, which now also hit civilian targets”, Anadolu Agency reported.
Russia’s militarily involvement in Siria was a major factor in the Syrian immigration crisis.
