Denmark law to deport asylum seekers outside Europe condemned as ‘irresponsible and lacking in solidarity’

Denmark thought to be looking for agreement to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, Ethiopia, Tunisia or Egypt, reports Samuel Osborne

A Kurdish Iraqi man enters through the front gate of Kaershovedgaard, a former prison now a departure centre for rejected asylum seekers in Jutland, Denmark (REUTERS/Andrew Kelly)

A Danish law allowing the country to deport asylum seekers outside of Europe has been branded “irresponsible and lacking in solidarity” amid fears it could lead other nations to enact similarly harsh policies.

Last week, MPs in Copenhagen voted 70-24 in favour of legislation that will allow the Nordic nation to send asylum seekers to partner states, potentially outside of the continent, while their applications are revised and processed.

Speaking after the bill had passed, Rasmus Stoklund, an immigration spokesman for the Social Democrats, said he wanted it to send a message to asylum seekers that they are not welcome in Denmark.