Danes seize cash from migrants to pay for upkeep

A CONTROVERSIAL law allowing police in Denmark to seize valuables from asylum seekers to pay for their upkeep has been used for the first time.

Police took cash worth around £9,000 from five Iranian refugees when they tried to enter the country with false documents.

The group of three women and two men were carrying dollars and euros worth £14,500. National police spokesman Per Fiig said the group were arrested and searched on Tuesday at Copenhagen’s airport, suspected of using forged passports. Under the law, police are allowed to search asylum seekers on arrival in the EU country and confiscate any non-essential items worth more than 10,000 kroner – around £1,100.

It is the first time the migrant asset law has been used since it was introduced five months ago.

It was brought in amongst a raft of measures designed to deter migrants from travelling to Denmark.

Refugees and other migrants must hand over valuables in order to pay for their accommodation while applying for asylum.

The legislation also prevents asylum seekers applying for family members to join them for three years after arriving.

But critics said the legislation, which was presented by Denmark’s centre-right government, was degrading and inhumane.

They compared it to the confiscation of valuables from Jews during the Second World War while the UN warned it may fuel fear and xenophobia.

Amnesty International regional director John Dalhuisen described the bill as ‘meanspirited’. Following criticism, early drafts of the law were changed so refugees would not have to give up items of sentimental value, such as wedding rings, or items deemed as essential, such as watches.

It also raised the amount refugees would be allowed to keep from £337 to £1,100 following objections.

Responding to comparisons with the treatment of Jews in the 1940s, Danish government spokesman Marcus Knuth told The Guardian the claim was ‘ludicrous’.