Denmark Accused of Using Virus Law to Crack Down on Immigrants

(Bloomberg) --

Denmark’s Social Democratic-led government has been accused of exploiting a bill designed to tackle the spread of the coronavirus to crack down on immigrants.

According to the bill that was approved in parliament on Thursday, anyone caught stealing protective equipment, such as face masks and hand sanitizers, or of impersonating a doctor or a nurse, faces criminal prosecution and possibly prison time.

However, last-minute amendments have drawn criticisms from two parties that form part of Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s ruling coalition. The most controversial lets the authorities expel immigrants caught committing any crimes related to the virus. There is also confusion about how the law would impact the country’s ban on religious head gear, which is broadly perceived as targeting the country’s Muslim community.

“We’re voting against the bill. There were so many thorns in this that we simply couldn’t vote
for it,” Kristian Hegaard of the Social Liberal party, a member of the governing bloc, told Ritzau.

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