Venstre immigration policies could breach international law, experts warn

Discriminating on the basis of nationality could get party in hot water

Experts are warning Venstre about the legality of the immigration policies they are pursuing, Politiken reports. The paper has in its possession a leaked internal communication from the party that states that their policies would “challenge and discuss the scope” of international conventions.

Kåre Traberg Smidt, a defence lawyer who specialises in human rights, explained to Politiken his concerns. “It is very problematic,” he said.

“Of course we should have people in who can contribute something, but under special circumstances to break international conventions is an extremely dangerous way to go. It is breaking from international consensus that has taken decades to build up.”

Some nationalities more ‘integration-friendly’ than others?
Venstre wants to differentiate between immigrants from western countries and those from elsewhere. The party also wants to make it easier for immigrants from a list of western countries who have a job that pays more than 200,000 kroner per year.

Bjørn Dilou Jacobsen, a legal expert specialising in immigration law pointed out to Politiken that the Supreme Court has definitively ruled that Denmark cannot break international conventions. He believes that the Venstre proposal is dangerously close to doing so. “The Venstre and Konservative government introduced an immigration test, where some countries were exempt,” he said.

“The idea was apparently that some nationalities were more integration-friendly than others. I definitely think that was a serious violation of international conventions. And the new proposals are reminiscent of that.”




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


  • “It’s possible to lead even though you don’t fit the traditional leadership mold”

    “It’s possible to lead even though you don’t fit the traditional leadership mold”

    Describing herself as a “DEI poster child,” being queer, neurodivergent and an international in Denmark didn’t stop Laurence Paquette from climbing the infamous corporate ladder to become Marketing Vice President (VP) at Vestas. Arrived in 2006 from Quebec, Laurence Paquette unpacks the implications of exposing your true self at work, in a country that lets little leeway for individuality

  • Deal reached to bring more foreign workers to Denmark

    Deal reached to bring more foreign workers to Denmark

    Agreement between unions and employers allows more foreign workers in Denmark under lower salary requirements, with new ID card rules and oversight to prevent social dumping and ensure fair conditions.

  • New association helps international nurses and doctors Denmark

    New association helps international nurses and doctors Denmark

    Kadre Darman was founded this year to support foreign-trained healthcare professionals facing challenges with difficult authorisation processes, visa procedures, and language barriers, aiming to help them find jobs and contribute to Denmark’s healthcare system