Søvndal does a u-turn on torture intel

Enhedslisten demands an explanation after foreign affairs minister contradicts himself on torture-generated intelligence

Only 12 hours after stating that it was unacceptable, Villy Søvndal now says that it is suitable to use information acquired through means of torture.

In an article published by Berlingske newspaper on Sunday, Søvndal was critical of the Danish government using information garnered through the use of torture, starkly opposing the stance taken by the previous administration.

“We have made it an important priority to defend human rights and oppose the use of torture and as a result we find odd and contradictory to utilise information obtained through the use of torture,” Søvndal told Berlingske on Sunday.

In an astonishingly quick turn of events, however, Søvndal then contradicted himself later the same day, admitting in a joint press release with Morten Bødskov (Socialdemokraterne), the justice minister, that things are rarely black and white and that ethical dilemmas exist in the fight for terror and are an unfortunate part of the realities faced by domestic intelligence agency PET.

“The line remains unchanged in regards to our intelligence agency’s cooperation with partners of other nations,” Søvndal and Bødskov wrote. “To solve the issues our intelligence service has to exchange information with nations that may employ interrogation tactics that go against the Danish perception of justice.”

Søvndals initial comments drew ire from Tom Behnke, the spokesperson from the Konservative (K).

“We are against the use of torture, but if our intelligence agency comes across information from a country employing torture tactics concerning a planned terror action against the Opera [in Copenhagen], naturally PET should be able to use the information.”

Enhedslisten’s spokesman, Christian Juhl, was not impressed with the conflicting messages being conveyed by Søvndal and wants an explanation.

“At the foreign affairs meeting today, I will demand that the foreign minister accounts for his comments. The erratic path currently being used by the minister is completely unacceptable”, Juhl told Politiken newspaper.

Behnke told Berlingske that he was happy that Søvndal had come to his senses again.

“It is commendable to have the opinion, that I share, that torture is unacceptable and should be combated, but we need to face reality,” Benhke said. “We have to accept the fact that we will come across information that we will have to act upon, knowing that there may be a good chance that it was obtained through torture. It’s not because we sanction the use of torture, but if the lives of thousands of Danish citizens are at stake, we have a responsibility to use the information.”

PET also state on their website that all information received is carefully scrutinised, and that intelligence that may have been acquired through torture can be “low value” and unreliable. Conversely, PET assures that they do not pass on information if it they suspect the information will lead to the torture of an individual.

TOP STORIES

  • Navigating big love, big moves and big feelings

    Navigating big love, big moves and big feelings

    Experts believe it takes seven years to move into a new culture, according to leading Danish psychologist Jette Simon and therapist Vibeke Hartkorn. For expat couples, the challenges of starting a new life together in Denmark can put pressure on relationships, but emotions-focused therapy can help.

  • More and more Danes are working after retirement age

    More and more Danes are working after retirement age

    Politicians debate a lot these days about when you can retire. The reality shows that an increasing number of Danes like to work, even if they can withdraw from the labor market. Financial incentives help.

  • Environmental activist fears death in prison if extradited to Japan

    Environmental activist fears death in prison if extradited to Japan

    Canadian-born environmental activist Paul Watson has been in prison in Greenland for almost 100 days awaiting an extradition decision for a 14-year-old offence against a Japanese whaling vessel that he calls a “minor misdemeanor”. The 73-year-old had previously passed through Ireland, Switzerland, Monaco, France and the USA without trouble, before Greenlandic police arrested him in July.

  • Denmark too slow to ease recruitment rules for non-EU service workers, say industry associations

    Denmark too slow to ease recruitment rules for non-EU service workers, say industry associations

    When the Danish government in January presented the first of its schemes to make it easier to recruit foreign labour from outside the EU, it was hailed by the healthcare and service sectors as a timely and important policy shift. But while healthcare changes have been forthcoming, the service sector is still struggling, say the directors of the industry association Dansk Industri and one of the country’s largest private employers ISS.

  • Jacob Mark had it all coming in rising SF party – now he quits

    Jacob Mark had it all coming in rising SF party – now he quits

    SF became Denmark’s largest party in the EP elections in June. In polls, the left-wing party is breathing down Socialdemokratiet’s neck. It is a tremendous place to be next in line in Danish politics. But today, 33-year-old Jacob Mark announced he is quitting politics at the threshold of the door of power.

  • EU leaders toughen stance on return of irregular migrants

    EU leaders toughen stance on return of irregular migrants

    EU leaders agreed last week to speed up returns of migrants irregularly entering the bloc. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen is pleased, describing Denmark’s previous attempts to pitch a stricter asylum and migration policy to the EU as “like shouting into an empty handball hall in Jutland”. But not all leaders are enthusiastic.

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

  • Come and join us at Citizens Days!

    Come and join us at Citizens Days!

    On Friday 27 and Saturday 28 of September, The Copenhagen Post will be at International Citizen Days in Øksnehallen on Vesterbro, Copenhagen. Admission is free and thousands of internationals are expected to attend

  • Diversifying the Nordics: How a Nigerian economist became a beacon for inclusivity in Scandinavia

    Diversifying the Nordics: How a Nigerian economist became a beacon for inclusivity in Scandinavia

    Chisom Udeze, the founder of Diversify – a global organization that works at the intersection of inclusion, democracy, freedom, climate sustainability, justice, and belonging – shares how struggling to find a community in Norway motivated her to build a Nordic-wide professional network. We also hear from Dr. Poornima Luthra, Associate Professor at CBS, about how to address bias in the workplace.

  • Lolland Municipality launches support package for accompanying spouses

    Lolland Municipality launches support package for accompanying spouses

    Lolland Municipality, home to Denmark’s largest infrastructure project – the Fehmarnbelt tunnel connection to Germany – has launched a new jobseeker support package for the accompanying partners of international employees in the area. The job-to-partner package offers free tailored sessions on finding a job and starting a personal business.

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs