Denmark to restrict refugee intake from Ukraine, putting vulnerable groups at risk
47,600 Ukrainian citizens currently live in Denmark (photo: Getty Images)
Denmark plans to end the default temporary protection for refugees from 14 regions of Ukraine. People arriving from these regions would no longer automatically be considered refugees in need of asylum, Rzeczpospolita reports.
The outlet indicates that the authorities are proposing to designate 14 regions in western and central Ukraine as relatively safe for civilians. Kyiv, however, would be excluded from the list.
If the decision is approved, Ukrainian citizens arriving in Denmark from these regions would no longer be eligible for protection by default.
Denmark's Minister of Immigration and Integration Morten Bødskov noted that 47,600 Ukrainian citizens currently live in the country.
"Some municipalities are struggling to find housing for such a large number of Ukrainians and integrate them into Danish society," he said.
There are also two other proposals:
- Introducing an employment requirement for Ukrainians receiving benefits
- Review of school education rules that allow classes to be taught in English and Ukrainian, including remotely.
Other precedents
As recently reported, Czech lower-house Speaker Tomio Okamura called for all social benefits for Ukrainian refugees to be completely abolished. According to him, those who have jobs should switch to regular residence permits, while the rest should return to Ukraine.
The media also reported that since August 5, dozens of Ukrainians in the Czech Republic have been denied temporary protection. This happened because they were unable to provide documentary proof that they had fulfilled their military service obligations.
