The Danish Institute for Human Rights launched a report entitled “Stranger in your own country? Access to citizenship for children and young people who are born and/or raised in Denmark”.

The institute warns that Danish legislation could be in conflict with human rights conventions on this subject: the report's authors urge the government to stop discrimination between Nordic and non-Nordic descendants, and to introduce the legal right to apply for permanent residency and citizenship for children.

The report investigates current legislation and legal history, and looks into how this is in line with international law. It is the first report of its kind.

The granting of citizenship is not an administrative process in Denmark; rather it comes about via a bill containing names fulfilling certain criteria, which is passed by the Danish parliament every six months. Applications for disregarding certain criteria due to disability are decided by a vote taken within a committee of MPs.

For children, the only way to access citizenship is if their parents are or become Danish citizens, or if they are born in Denmark to stateless parents. Obtaining permanent residence is not possible for anyone under the age of 18.

This report from the Danish Institute for Human Rights recommends to the Danish government the following legislation amendments:

1. Equal access to Danish citizenship for all young people born and/or raised in Denmark;
2. Children’s access to apply for permanent residency;
3. Children’s access to citizenship application.

The report is 100 pages long and written in Danish, however also includes a three-page summary of the findings in English. It can be accessed here.