Euroviews. Justice must prevail against Denmark’s ‘ghetto laws’

Before I first visited Copenhagen’s Mjølnerparken neighbourhood a decade ago, I had heard all the rumours: dangerous and overcrowded with unemployed foreigners refusing to integrate.

Instead, I found tree-lined courtyards and children laughing in playgrounds while people from all walks of life from across the world shared coffee and conversations and looked out for each other.

Soon after, I found a home there. Then, the government labelled our home a ghetto, prompting years of anguish.

Next week, we hope that the EU’s top court can help end this discriminatory policy forever.

In 2010, the Danish government began compiling lists of low-income, largely minority neighbourhoods like Mjølnerparken that they deemed were failing to meet certain metrics of crime, unemployment, education, and/or percentage of “non-Western" background (under 50%). Those neighbourhoods were classified as "ghettos".

In 2018, new laws were passed making the “non-Western” background criterion the decisive factor in the designation of “ghettos” and forcing a reduction in the number of non-profit family housing units in "tough ghetto" areas to a maximum of 40% by 2030.

This could be done by the sale, redevelopment or demolition of people’s homes.

Tellingly, the government’s definition of "non-Western" does not include people from Australia or New Zealand, which suggests their criteria are not grounded in geographical concerns.

The announcement spread shock and fear around the community. And then the resistance began.

We convened weekly coffee evenings to answer residents’ questions, exchange ideas, and arrange the paperwork for those interested in challenging the government. It soon became an informal solidarity group where we could discuss our hopes and