Political majority wants Hizb ut-Tahrir banned

State prosecutor Rigsadvokaten to look into possibilities

In the wake of the terrorist attack in Copenhagen earlier this month, a majority in parliament has agreed to look into the possibility of banning the Islamist group Hizb ut-Tahrir in Denmark.

With the backing of opposition parties Liberal Alliance, Venstre, Socialistisk Folkeparti, Dansk Folkeparti, and Enhedslisten, the justice minister, Mette Frederiksen, has asked the state prosecutor, Rigsadvokaten, to look into the possibility of banning the controversial organisation.

“My own opinion is that that organisation should be dissolved,” Frederiksen told Politiken newspaper. ”And the second that Rigsadvokaten finds grounds for dissolving them, it must happen.”

“Therefore, it's essential that Rigsadvokaten, based on the latest developments, evaluates whether there is a foundation present to dissolve Hizb ut-Tahrir.

Hizb ut-Tahrir – which has declared its goal to replace democratic society with a caliphate and establish the radical Islamic sharia law – has already been banned in a number of countries.

While most Muslim organisations in Denmark condemned the shootings that left two people dead (not including the shooting) and several policemen injured on February 14 and 15, Hizb ut-Tahrir refused to distance itself from the attack.

READ MORE: Anger over Mohammed film reaches Copenhagen

Second time lucky?
But banning Hizb ut-Tahrir will not be easy and the Danish government failed in its previous attempt to outlaw the organisation. 

In 2008, Rigsadvokaten concluded that it was not illegal for an organisation to work towards a goal that is fundamentally different from the existing order of society – such as a caliphate in Denmark.

Junes Kock, the spokesperson for Hizb ut-Tahrir, was perplexed at the government's proposal, which he refers to as “desperate”.

“It's well known throughout the world that we are an ideological political party that doesn't support violence. But we are in an election period and, after the tragic events of last week, they want to show decisiveness,” Kock told Politiken.




  • World Cup in Ice Hockey will face off in Herning

    World Cup in Ice Hockey will face off in Herning

    As in 2018, Denmark will co-host the Ice Hockey World Championship. And once again, Herning and Jyske Bank Boxen will be the hosts. Denmark is in Pool B and starts tonight with a match against the USA, which, given the political tensions between the two countries, may be an icy affair.

  • Diplomatic tensions between US and Denmark after spying rumors

    Diplomatic tensions between US and Denmark after spying rumors

    A Wall Street Journal article describes that the US will now begin spying in Greenland. This worries the Danish foreign minister, who wants an explanation from the US’s leading diplomat. Greenlandic politicians think that Trump’s actions increase the sense of insecurity

  • Diplomacy meets Westeros: a dinner with the King, Queen – and Jaime Lannister

    Diplomacy meets Westeros: a dinner with the King, Queen – and Jaime Lannister

    What do King Frederik X, Queen Mary, UN Secretary-General António Guterres, and Jaime Lannister have in common? No, this isn’t the start of a very specific Shakespeare-meets-HBO fanfiction — it was just Wednesday night in Denmark

  • Huge boost to halt dropouts from vocational education

    Huge boost to halt dropouts from vocational education

    For many years, most young people in Denmark have preferred upper secondary school (Gymnasium). Approximately 20 percent of a year group chooses a vocational education. Four out of 10 young people drop out of a vocational education. A bunch of millions aims to change that

  • Beloved culture house saved from closure

    Beloved culture house saved from closure

    At the beginning of April, it was reported that Kapelvej 44, a popular community house situated in Nørrebro, was at risk of closing due to a loss of municipality funding

  • Mette Frederiksen: “If you harm the country that is hosting you, you shouldn’t be here at all”

    Mette Frederiksen: “If you harm the country that is hosting you, you shouldn’t be here at all”

    With reforms to tighten the rules for foreigners in Denmark without legal residency, and the approval of a reception package for internationals working in the care sector, internationals have been under the spotlight this week. Mette Frederiksen spoke about both reforms yesterday.

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