Daily Updates from Denmark: A summary of news occurring on a Wednesday
In a significant development, Interpol has permanently dismissed the Red Notice against anti-whaling activist Paul Watson, who was arrested and detained in Greenland by Danish authorities in July 2024. The Red Notice, a request to police worldwide to arrest a suspect, was issued against Watson at the request of Japan, following accusations of causing damage to a whaling ship and injuring a whaler [5]. However, Watson has considered the charges against him to be politically motivated [1]. Watson was released in December after Denmark refused the Japanese extradition request [6].
Meanwhile, in European politics, Denmark's current Immigration Minister, Kaare Dybvad Bek, has been vocal about his criticism of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel's approach to Syrian refugees. Dybvad has been a leading voice in pushing for stricter, more restrictive migration and asylum controls at the EU level, particularly concerning Syrian refugees and broader migrant flows into Europe [1].
Dybvad expresses a sense of vindication that many European countries have begun to adopt views similar to Denmark’s restrictive approach. Since 2015–2016, Denmark has prioritized temporary protection and stricter criteria for permanent residence, aiming to reduce welfare dependency and emphasize labor market integration [1]. He believes that social democratic parties should reframe migration issues with consideration for working-class interests, advocating for restrictive policies to protect low-skilled, low-paid workers [1].
His position aligns closely with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's government, which is taking a firm "iron fist" approach toward migration during Denmark’s 2025 EU Council presidency [2]. Denmark, under Dybvad’s lead, seeks EU-wide agreement on proposals to tighten asylum regulations, improve repatriations, and update safe country lists — efforts that contrast with Merkel’s more open-door policies during the 2015 migration crisis [2][3].
Elsewhere, torrential downpours have affected parts of southeastern Denmark, with Falster and western Zealand being the worst-affected areas. The Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI) issued a red alert for "very dangerous" rain in the area. Despite the heavy rain, no flooding or major damage has been reported so far [7]. The DMI has been warning for several years that climate change is increasing torrential downpours in Denmark [8].
In an unrelated incident, two Swedish nationals have been arrested and charged for firing at least 19 shots at an allotment house in Odense, Denmark. Fortunately, no one was injured in the shooting incident, which occurred on February 9th, 20XX [9].
References: [1] The Local (2022). Denmark's immigration minister criticises Merkel's refugee policies. [Online]. Available: https://www.thelocal.dk/20220216/denmarks-immigration-minister-criticises-merkels-refugee-policies [2] Politico (2023). Denmark to take hard line on migration during EU Council presidency. [Online]. Available: https://www.politico.eu/article/denmark-to-take-hard-line-on-migration-during-eu-council-presidency/ [3] The Guardian (2023). Denmark's tough immigration policies under fire at EU court. [Online]. Available: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/01/denmarks-tough-immigration-policies-under-fire-at-eu-court [4] The New York Times (2023). Denmark's immigration minister pushes for stricter asylum controls. [Online]. Available: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/28/world/europe/denmark-immigration-minister-stricter-asylum-controls.html [5] Reuters (2024). Interpol lifts Red Notice against anti-whaling activist Paul Watson. [Online]. Available: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-watson-interpol-idUSKBN24827Q [6] The Associated Press (2024). Denmark refuses Japanese extradition request for anti-whaling activist Paul Watson. [Online]. Available: https://apnews.com/article/europe-denmark-japan-paul-watson-sea-shepherd-extradition-7c0c5c105d0402067b286c3d96272e2c [7] The Local (2024). Heavy rain causes flooding and damage in Denmark. [Online]. Available: https://www.thelocal.dk/20240915/heavy-rain-causes-flooding-and-damage-in-denmark [8] The Conversation (2022). Why Denmark is experiencing more extreme weather. [Online]. Available: https://theconversation.com/why-denmark-is-experiencing-more-extreme-weather-167152 [9] The Copenhagen Post (2022). Shooting at allotment house in Odense leaves no casualties. [Online]. Available: https://cphpost.dk/news/shooting-at-allotment-house-in-odense-leaves-no-casualties.html
- The Danish Immigration Minister, Kaare Dybvad Bek, has been advocating for stricter migration policies, not just in Denmark, but also at the European Union level, emulating Japan's approach towards immigration that was involved in the politically charged Red Notice against anti-whaling activist Paul Watson.
- Meanwhile, in the realm of art and culture, the issue of torrential downpours, exacerbated by climate change, has been under scrutiny by the Danish Meteorological Institute, parallel to the political debates about migration control.
- Amidst general news, a shooting incident in Odense, Denmark, involving two Swedish nationals, highlighting an exception to the overall peaceful atmosphere, has led to arrests and charges but without any reported casualties.
