A new action plan against racism in Denmark is just around the corner. And here are several initiatives that will end racism against Greenlanders in Denmark. Aaja Chemnitz calls it a huge victory that the Danish government will establish a new state unit with a focus on initiatives for Greenlanders in Denmark.
A number of new initiatives to combat racism against Greenlanders in Denmark will soon see the light of day.
The initiatives are part of the Danish government’s new action plan against racism, which is expected to be presented “in the near future”. The Ministry of Immigration and Integration writes this in a press release.
Aaja Chemnitz is happy that the action plan is finally in sight. It has had long prospects.
It won't be the solution to everything, but we can start talking about the fact that there is real racism against Greenlanders in Denmark, she says.
In January 2022, a political majority reached an agreement on the action plan.
It has generated great criticism that it has been in the making for so long. Among others, Aaja Chemnitz has called it "deeply unacceptable."
On December 19, 2024, Kaare Dybvad Bek presented a draft of the action plan at a closed meeting.
The final plan is expected to be completed in January.
Discrimination against Greenlanders in Denmark is a major problem, the parliamentarian believes. And she is far from the only one who thinks so.
The UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, José Tzay, also believes that many Greenlanders face discrimination in Danish society, as stated in a report last year.
This is particularly true at Danish educational institutions, where two out of three Greenlandic students experience prejudice, according to a study by the Danish Institute for Human Rights.
One of the initiatives in the action plan that the government has already unveiled is a new state unit that will coordinate efforts for Greenlanders in Denmark. Something that makes Aaja Chemnitz throw her arms up in the air.
It is a huge, huge victory. Perhaps the biggest victory in reality, she says.
This is being done on the recommendation of the Danish Institute for Human Rights.
There are problems that can lie in different ministries in the area of education, social affairs and other ministries. And if you want to ensure an impactful effort, you need one unit that has a real coordinating role and deals with cases that concern equal treatment of Greenlanders in Denmark, says Louise Holck, director of the Danish Institute for Human Rights.
The Danish Minister of Immigration and Integration, Kaare Dybvad Bek (S), also acknowledges that there is a problem with racism against Greenlanders in Denmark.
Racism against Greenlanders is unfortunately more widespread in Denmark than most people think. It has no place anywhere, and in Denmark we bear a great responsibility for ensuring that everyone in the kingdom is treated properly, he states in the press release.
KNR has tried to get an interview with Siumut's parliamentary politician Aki-Matilda Høegh-Dam, but she has not had the opportunity to appear before the deadline. She states that she has participated in meetings with the Minister of Integration, where she has shared experiences of Kalaallit Inuit experiences with discrimination in Denmark.
Source: Kalaallit Nunaata Radioa (in Greenlandic)
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