Question to the Commission: Danish government plans to ban third country nationals to remote island - Main contents

Today Sophie in 't Veld submitted a question to the Commission about the plan of the Danish government to place certain third country nationals on the remote island of Lindholm.

Danish government plans to ban third country nationals to remote island

Recently, the Danish government announced plans to place certain third country nationals on the remote island of Lindholm, with limited ferry connections to the mainland. This would concern third country nationals with past criminal convictions, or third country nationals who are to be expelled from Denmark but cannot be expelled because they are stateless or because their readmission cannot be agreed with their country of origin. The announcement of the government was also accompanied by a video posted on social media by the Danske Folkeparti, showing clear elements of xenophobia and islamophobia.

• 1) 

  Will the Commission assess these plans, including by requesting further details from the Danish government, in order to determine inter alia whether they could amount to detention and whether they comply with EU law?

• 2) 

  Does the Commission consider that locating individuals to such remote places constitutes a violation of human rights law, in particular the rights to human dignity, liberty and family life?

• 3) 

  What action will the Commission take to ensure the full respect of EU law and applicable fundamental rights standards following these developments.