In the spring 2024, Minister of Justice Peter Hummelgaard asked his ministry to investigate the possibility that the nationality in Greenlandic passports could be indicated as Greenlandic.
As it stands today, the nationality in the Greenlandic passport is only indicated as Danish.
But in the future, the nationality will be indicated as both Greenlandic and Danish, the Ministry of Justice informs.
The investigation has just been completed, and on this basis, the Minister of Justice has asked the National Police that the nationality in Greenlandic passports should in future be indicated as both Greenlandic and Danish.
This is stated in a press release by the Ministry of Justice.
And this news is received positively by several of the country's politicians.
It is a significant development for Greenland and its citizens that nationality can now be stated as Greenlandic in passports, says Jess Svane, who is the Minister of Social Affairs, Families, Labour Market and Internal Affairs of Greenland.
Being able to identify oneself as Greenlandic in official documents is not only a question of nationality, but also of recognition of Greenland's unique culture and history,
Svane concluded
Aki-Matilda Høegh-Dam from Siumut also welcomes the change, but her hope is that Greenland itself will take over responsibility for the passport area as soon as possible.
Now our nationality is also recognized as Greenlandic in passports. This symbolic change is a step on the road towards later greater recognition and respect for our Kalaallit Inuit identity. Now the next step must be for Greenland itself to take over responsibility for the passport area,
she says
Jess Svane believes that the change is a step towards independence and a strengthened identity.
Furthermore, this initiative can be seen as a step towards greater independence. It supports the idea that Greenland has its own identity and the right to define itself on the international stage, he says.Peter Hummelgaard is pleased that the passport change is now becoming a reality, as he knows that the sense of national identity is of great importance to many Greenlanders.
I have great understanding and respect for that. Therefore, it makes good sense to me that the nationality in the Greenlandic passport will in future be stated as both Greenlandic and Danish, says the Minister of Justice.
Member of Parliament Aaja Chemnitz believes that the change is a sign that the government is responsive to matters concerning Greenland.
This is the result of a citizen's request, which has resulted in a good result for many citizens. It shows that the government is listening, and it makes a difference when Inuit Ataqatigiit raises issues in Parliament, she says.
It is expected that the change in passports will be implemented by the end of 2024.
Source: KNR (in Greenlandic)
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