Denmark’s most vulnerable citizens were overlooked in 2015

The rights of foreigners and asylum seekers dominated the national agenda last year, but other human rights issues in Denmark should be given more attention.

This is the conclusion of the newly published annual status summary from the Danish Institute for Human Rights.

Homelessness on the rise

For the past six years, homelessness has increased by 26 percent and the number of young homeless persons has almost doubled.

According to Louise Holck, who is the Deputy Director of the Institute, the homelessness issue needs to be dealt with as soon as possible.

"Some of the most vulnerable groups in the Danish society lack basic rights such as the right to decent living and adequate housing. Unfortunately, in 2015 the situation didn’t improve, and we fear that many more people will end up on the streets if no action is taken”, she says.

Solitary confinement is not for children

The annual summary also sheds light on the fact that it remains legal to keep minors in solitary confinement for up to 28 consecutive days, despite recommendations from international bodies such as the United Nations.

“The Danish authorities still legalize solitary confinement for children aged 15 to 18 for up to four weeks in a row despite the fact that the UN has repeatedly requested Denmark to abolish this law”, says the institute's deputy director, Louise Holck.

“We know that isolation confinement can result in depression and anxiety and seriously harm adults, so it is very sad that Denmark chooses to continue the use of this option even as we know that children are more vulnerable than grownups", says Louise Holck.