Denmark Defies European Court, Unveils Sweeping Deportation Overhaul

COPENHAGEN, Jan 30 (Reuters) – In a move that directly challenges the authority of Europe's human rights framework, the Danish government on Friday unveiled plans for stringent new laws designed to expedite the deportation of foreign nationals, including convicted criminals.

The proposed legislation, part of a broader hardening of immigration policy across Europe, signals Copenhagen's growing impatience with the Strasbourg-based European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). The court has repeatedly blocked deportations from Denmark and other member states, often citing the right to family life.

"We cannot wait indefinitely for the court to revise its interpretation of the convention," Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen stated at a press conference. "Our view is that the current application hinders our ability to protect society and uphold orderly immigration. While some legal experts may cry foul, we believe a majority of convention states share our desire for change."

The announcement comes amid rising political pressure. With a general election due by October, Frederiksen's centre-right coalition faces a strong challenge from nationalist parties that have made immigration a central campaign issue. Analysts note the government is walking a tightrope, seeking to appeal to this voter base while bracing for inevitable legal battles.

Key Measures of the Plan

The reforms, slated to take effect from May 1 pending parliamentary approval, include several contentious measures:

• Lowered Deportation Threshold: Foreign nationals sentenced to one year or more for serious crimes will face automatic expulsion proceedings, a significant lowering of the current bar.
• Electronic Tagging: Individuals without residency permits who violate reporting requirements could be subjected to GPS monitoring.
• Diplomatic Push: Denmark plans to reopen its embassy in Damascus, a key source of migrants, and appoint a special "deportation envoy" to negotiate returns.
• Asylum Review: The government will intensify reviews to revoke refugee status and explore establishing an EU reception centre outside the bloc's borders—a first of its kind.

Denmark has long been one of Europe's most restrictive countries on asylum. With a population of 5.9 million, it granted protection to just 839 people in the first eleven months of 2025, putting it on track for one of its lowest annual totals in decades.

Voices from Copenhagen

We spoke to residents in the capital for their reaction:

• Lars Nielsen, Political Science Lecturer: "This is a calculated political risk. The government is testing the limits of the ECHR, betting that a shift in the European political climate will support them. The legal challenges will be immediate and fierce."
• Anja Sørensen, Social Worker: "I'm deeply concerned. Tagging people and rushing deportations, especially to places like Syria, ignores complex human realities. This policy feels driven more by fear than by justice or compassion."
• Mikael Berg, Small Business Owner: "Finally! The court in Strasbourg has been holding us hostage for years. If you commit a serious crime here, you forfeit your right to stay. It's that simple. The government is doing what most Danes want."
• Fatima Al-Masri, University Student (Originally from Syria): "This rhetoric is terrifying for communities like mine. It paints every foreigner as a potential criminal. It feels like they're dismantling the very principles of human dignity that Europe claims to stand for."

The coming months will determine whether Denmark's unilateral action sparks a wider revolt against the ECHR's authority or results in a costly legal defeat for Copenhagen.

(Reporting by Stine Jacobsen and Soren Jeppesen; Editing by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen and Andrew Cawthorne)