
An important part of integration in Europe is participation in democratic processes. Migrants and refugees from third countries, as well as their descendants, face a number of obstacles when it comes to this in Denmark, including:
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representation in the media;
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representation in local and national governments;
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harassment of those who run;
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right to vote.
Representation in the media
In Denmark, those with a non-European background are rarely given the chance to express themselves in the media. When they are, focus tends to be on integration problems, immigration and related crime: they are rarely consulted as expert sources.
Three studies from 2011, 2016 and 2022 found that this issue is worsening over time: in the last 10 years, use by the media of individuals with an ethnic minority background as sources decreased from 4.4 to 3.5 %. At the same time, the proportion of individuals with an ethnic minority background in the Danish population has increased.
Representation in local and national governments
Of the 179 members of the Danish parliament, only 8 (4.4%) are first or second generation migrants from outside Europe. 5 of these were born in Denmark, and 3 have one Danish parent. In the wider population, 8.7% of people are first or second generation migrants or refugees from outside Europe.
At the local level, a similar pattern can be observed: only 4.5% of local politicians across the 98 Danish municipalities have an ethnic minority background. The country's 5 regional councils present similar figures.
Harassment of those who run
One reason behind this lack of representation is the harassment experienced by candidates who do put themselves forward. A study from the Danish Institute for Human Rights, Ethnic minorities in politics: Barriers for political participation, found that those with an ethnic minority background who attempt to run tend to be placed under more scrutiny and met with greater prejudice than their ethnically Danish counterparts. Women candidates face additional barriers.
Right to vote
Only those with citizenship have the right to vote in national elections in Denmark. Those who have been legally resident in the country for more than 4 years can only vote in local elections. Obtaining Danish citizenship involves very strict criteria and long waiting periods. 1 in 10 residents does not have the right to vote in national elections, and in some areas - such as Copenhagen - this rises to 1 in 4 or 5.
Recommendations
The Danish Institute for Human Rights makes a number of recommendations on the issue of the political participation of those with an ethnic minority background. These include:
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promotion of easier access to citizenship, especially for people who are born and/or raised in Denmark;
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the preparation by political parties of a diversity policy, including specific solutions to the challenges faced by those with an ethnic minority background.
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