Observations from UNHCR on law proposal regarding expulsion of foreigners

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has submitted its observations to the Danish government’s proposed amendments to the Danish Aliens Act.

The proposal would make expulsion of a foreigner (including asylum-seekers and refugees), who has committed a crime, the primary rule unless the decision is considered to be in breach of Denmark’s international obligations.

UNHCR is of the opinion that the proposed change of the wording has no bearing on Denmark’s obligations under applicable international law. However, UNHCR does not recommend implementing the proposed amendment as it could risk leading to misunderstandings that could affect the criteria governing the grounds of expulsion and/or procedural safeguards which must be upheld.

UNHCR’s observations are available here.