10 October 2014
The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has criticised Denmark’s newly-announced restrictions on family reunification for refugees.
The Danish government announced last month that refugees fleeing the civil wars like the one in Syria will be eligible for a new, one-year temporary residence permit. On Tuesday, the government followed that up by saying that only if a refugee has their permit extended beyond that first year can they bring their family members to Denmark.
According to Pia Prutz Phiri, the UNHCR’s regional head in northern Europe, Denmark must realise that it has global responsibilities.
“It is unrealistic to believe that Denmark can isolate itself from what is happening globally. If there are conflicts and disasters, they are something that we must all take responsibility for,” Phiri told DR.
