The anti-immigration law was approved by a vast majority of legislators i.e. 70 for it and 24 against it.
The law has frightened umpteen Human rights groups, UNHCR, and, which says that the action taken by the Danish government would encourage other European nations to follow the same practice and deteriorate the refugee crisis.
Denmark has set a zero asylum seekers target which comes at a time when the Syrian civil war has displaced a plethora of Syrian families, forcing them to flee in search of better homes.
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“If you apply for asylum in Denmark, you know that you will be sent back to a country outside Europe, and therefore we hope that people will stop seeking asylum in Denmark,” government spokesman Rasmus Stoklund told broadcaster DR.
The European Union has also expressed concern about the irresponsible actions of Denmark.
“It is not possible under existing EU rules or proposals under the new pact for migration and asylum,” stated European commission spokesperson Adalbert Jahnz.
The United Nations Refugee Agency’s ( UNHCR) High commissioner said “UNHCR remains firmly opposed to externalization initiatives that forcibly transfer asylum seekers to other countries”.
“If a rich country such as Denmark is not willing to take responsibility, there is a significant risk that countries hosting a far larger number of refugees will also opt-out and give up on global efforts to find joint and sustainable solutions,” stated Charlotte Slente, head of the Danish Refugee Council.
Human rights advocates fear that the shifting of asylum seekers to countries with scarce resources and opportunities will prove to be detrimental to the already oppressed refugees.
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