DOCSLIB.ORG

Factors Which Enable Or Hinder the Protection of Human Rights Eventh Seventh Olicies

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Factors Which Enable Or Hinder the Protection of Human Rights Eventh Seventh Olicies Factors which enable or hinder the protection o which enable or hinder the protection Factors human rights are high on the eu agenda. however, the eu is facing multiple Factors which challenges to fulfil its declared commitment to promote and protect human rights. enable or these challenges are the focus of Frame, hinder the an interdisciplinary research project on Fostering human rights among european protection oF (external and internal) policies. Frame is a large-scale, collaborative research human rights project funded under the eu’s seventh Framework programme (Fp7), coordinated by the leuven centre for global governance studies and involving 19 research institutes from around the world. our research focuses on the contribution of the eu’s internal and external policies to the promotion of human rights worldwide. eva maria lassen (editor) monika mayrhoFer as part of the Frame project, researchers peter vedel kessing and other experts at the danish institute hans-otto sano F daniel garcía san José for human rights, in collaboration with human rights researchers from other universities, have rikke Frank Jørgensen been working on key historical, cultural, legal, economic, political, ethnic, religious and technological factors that may impact human rights at the eu, international and national levels. in this series, we present some of the results of our work. the research is relevant to human rights academics, practitioners, civil society, and policy-makers at the national, regional, international and eu levels. Frame_omslag_11,6.indd 1 05/04/2017 16.29 Factors which enable or hinder the protection oF human rights authors: eva maria lassen (editor), monika mayrhofer, peter vedel kessing, hans-otto sano, daniel garcía san José, rikke Frank Jørgensen Funding: Frame Fostering human rights among european (external and internal) policies. large-scale Fp7 collaborative project ga no. 320000 1 may 2013-30 april 2017 isbn: 978-87-93241-97-8 doi.org/20.500.11825/69 coverdesign: heddabank.dk print: toptryk grafisk © 2017 the danish institute for human rights denmark’s national human rights institution wilders plads 8k dk-1403 copenhagen k phone +45 3269 8888 www.humanrights.dk provided such reproduction is for non-commercial use, this publication, or parts of it, may be reproduced if author and source are quoted. Frame_omslag_11,6.indd 2 05/04/2017 16.29 Fostering Human Rights among European Policies Large-Scale FP7 Collaborative Project GA No. 320000 1 May 2013-30 April 2017 Factors which enable or hinder the protection of human rights Work Package No. 2 – Deliverable No. 1 Due date 31 July 2014 Submission date 4 August 2014 Dissemination level PU Lead Beneficiary The Danish Institute for Human Rights Authors Eva Maria Lassen (editor), Monika Mayrhofer, Peter Vedel Kessing, Hans- Otto Sano, Daniel García San José, Rikke Frank Jørgensen http://www.fp7-frame.eu doi.org/20.500.11825/69 Preface The EU today stands at a crossroads with regard to human rights: although human rights are high on its agenda the EU is facing multiple challenges of carrying the torch of human rights, within EU Member States and in relation to the wider world. These challenges are the focus of FRAME, an interdisciplinary research project on Fostering Human Rights Among European (External and Internal) Policies. FRAME is a large-scale, collaborative research project funded under the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), coordinated by the Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies and involving 19 research institutes from around the world. Our research focuses on the contribution of the EU’s internal and external policies to the promotion of human rights worldwide. In this series of publications, we have collected some of the work carried out by researchers and other experts at the Danish Institute for Human Rights, in collaboration with researchers from other universities, as part of the FRAME project. The four publications have been written with contributions from scholars and experts from The Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights, Vienna; European Training and Research Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, Graz; University of Seville; Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies, KU Leuven, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights. In our work we have aimed at illuminating contemporary human rights challenges by way of analysing the historical, political, legal, economic, social, cultural, religious, ethnical and technological factors that both facilitate and hamper the efforts of the EU in its efforts to promote and protect human rights, within the EU and in the world at large. It is hoped the insights gained from this research may contribute to informing the debate – among human rights academics, practitioners, civil society, and policy-makers - about the EU’s future direction in the important field of human rights. April 2017 Eva Maria Lassen Senior researcher The Danish Institute for Human Rights FRAME Deliverable No. 2.1 Executive Summary In assessing the factors that influence the protection and promotion of human rights in the European Union (EU), this report elucidates those factors that cut across the catalogue of human rights. This report seeks to examine contemporary human rights challenges in this context by mapping the historical, political, legal, economic, social, cultural, religious, ethnical and technological factors that both facilitate and hamper human rights in the EU. Preface This report is part of Work Package 2 ‘Challenges and Factors’ of the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7) project Fostering Human Rights among European Policies (FRAME). This first cluster of FRAME constitutes the foundations of a sound knowledge base for the assessment of EU human rights policies, The EU today stands at a crossroads with regard to human rights: although human rights are high on its encompassing the evolving factors, concepts, institutions and instruments that underlie human rights agenda the EU is facing multiple challenges of carrying the torch of human rights, within EU Member States protection and promotion. and in relation to the wider world. These challenges are the focus of FRAME, an interdisciplinary research project on Fostering Human Rights The objective of the report is to analyse these crucial factors while taking into account challenges brought Among European (External and Internal) Policies. FRAME is a large-scale, collaborative research project about by globalisation, with a focus on access to basic rights. The report does this through the provision funded under the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), coordinated by the Leuven Centre for Global of a qualitative mapping addressing the major topics related to each factor. The report is divided into 10 Governance Studies and involving 19 research institutes from around the world. Our research focuses on chapters and provides a chapter on each of the above cross-cutting factors, including an overview of the the contribution of the EU’s internal and external policies to the promotion of human rights worldwide. factor drawn from a literature review, an assessment of current knowledge of the factor and its impact on human rights in the EU, and challenges and gaps requiring further study. In this series of publications, we have collected some of the work carried out by researchers and other experts at the Danish Institute for Human Rights, in collaboration with researchers from other universities, The report canvasses the major landmarks in EU history, with a view both to its external and internal as part of the FRAME project. The four publications have been written with contributions from scholars and policies (Chapter II, Historical), before addressing the inherently political nature of human rights experts from The Ludwig Boltzmann Institute of Human Rights, Vienna; European Training and Research themselves and the importance of States, sovereignty, ideologies, power, citizenship and democracy to Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, Graz; University of Seville; Leuven Centre for Global Governance their implementation (Chapter III, Political). Turning to legal factors, the report considers the coherence Studies, KU Leuven, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights. of obligations within the EU; whether the EU is bound by human rights obligations when acting externally; In our work we have aimed at illuminating contemporary human rights challenges by way of analysing the the relationship of human rights obligations and other international law norms; and finally shared human historical, political, legal, economic, social, cultural, religious, ethnical and technological factors that both rights responsibility between the EU and Member States (Chapter IV, Legal). facilitate and hamper the efforts of the EU in its efforts to promote and protect human rights, within the EU and in the world at large. Taking post-crisis Europe as its departure point, the report analyses the economic dimensions of human rights in the EU, including the significance of economic decline, the internal market, poverty, employment, It is hoped the insights gained from this research may contribute to informing the debate – among human foreign policy, and development and trade (Chapter V, Economic). Turning to social factors, the report rights academics, practitioners, civil society, and policy-makers - about the EU’s future direction in the addresses the importance of the principle of non-discrimination in EU policy and institutions, before important field of human rights. specifically considering the
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Download the Human Rights Across Cultural Dialogue Here
    1 ISBN: 978-87-91836-53-4 2 Human Rights Across Cultural Dialogue Conference Proceedings, Copenhagen 15-16, December 2010. Leading editors: Lis Dhundale, Bahey eldin Hassan and Rasmus Alenius Boserup Language proofreading and revision by: Jenifer Evans, Ragab Saad and Ashraf Mikhail Translation by: Ubada Center For Translation Cover design and layout: Karim Mansour. The Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies: 21 Abd El-Megid El-Remaly St., 7th Floor, Flat No. 71, Bab El Louk, Cairo Phone: +202 27963757 +202 27963726 + 202 27963 POBox 117 Maglis ElShaab, Cairo Egypt. Email: [email protected] • Website: www.cihrs.org The Danish Institute for Human Rights Wilders Plads 8K | DK-1403 COPENHAGEN K | Denmark Tel: +45 32698888 Fax: +45 32698800 Email: [email protected] • Website: www.humanrights.dk The Danish Egyptian Dialogue Institute 12, Hassan Sabri Street, 11211 Zamalek, Cairo, Egypt Tel: +20 2 27 35 16 21 Fax: +20 2 27 35 18 62 Email: [email protected] • Website: www.dedi.org.eg Disclaimer: This publication does not necessarily reflect the views of the Danish Egyptian Dialogue Institute. The Danish Egyptian Dialogue Institute (DEDI) would like to thank the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) and the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS) for organizing the Human Rights Across Cultural Dialogue Conference in Copenhagen, 15-16 with leading experts from both Denmark and Egypt speaking on the topic and assisting with the production of this publication. Special thanks are due to Ashraf Mikhail, Project Manager, DIHR, for his contributions to, and management of, the project and Ragab Saad, CIHRS, for being the organizations’ focal point during the project implementation and publication drafting period.
    [Show full text]
  • Policy Options and Regulatory Mechanisms for Managing Radicalization on the Internet
    Policy options and regulatory mechanisms for managing radicalization on the Internet Paris, 30 September 2016 “[…] I firmly believe that in a free democratic society, freedom of speech and expression is one of the most prized freedoms which must be defended and upheld at any cost and this should be particularly so in the land of Voltaire. It is indeed unfortunate that in the world of today, when science and technology have advanced the frontiers of knowledge and mankind is beginning to realize that human happiness can be realized only through inter-dependence and cooperation, the threshold of tolerance should be going down. It is high time man should realize his spiritual dimension and replace bitterness and hatred by love and compassion, tolerance and forgiveness.” Justice Prafullachandra Bhagwati Dan Shefet (Individual Specialist) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The author wishes to thank the following for their support, valuable advice and input throughout the drafting of the Report: Dr. Indrajit Banerjee and his team in UNESCO’s Knowledge Societies Division The UNESCO Delegates and Ministries of Justice/Interior of countries that have participated in the Country Survey. Alexander Linden, Honorary advisor to the French Supreme Court Janice Duffy, Researcher, Australia Pavan Duggal, Supreme Court Lawyer, India Tom Høyem, Former Minister in Denmark under Poul Schlüter Francesca Musiani, Researcher at the CNRS Institute for Communication Sciences and Member of the French National Assembly’s Commission on the Law and Rights in the Digital Era Sami Mahbouli, Lawyer at The Tunisian Supreme Court and Columnist Sabine Leutheusser-Schnarrenberger, Former Minister of Justice under Angela Merkel Marc Randazza, First Amendment Attorney, United States Viswa Sadasivan, CEO of Strategic Moves (Consultancy agency in Singapore) and former member of the Singaporean Parliament Mr K.
    [Show full text]
  • Human Rights in Denmark Status 2014-15 a Summary
    HUMAN RIGHTS IN DENMARK HUMAN RIGHTS IN DENMARK Status 2014-15 A SUMMARY STATUS 2014-15 A SUMMARY 2014-15 STATUS IMR_Status_UK_Omslag14_02_.indd 1 13/05/15 17.06 HUMAN RIGHTS IN DENMARK Status 2014-15 A SUMMARY IMR_Status2014_UK_01.indd 1 13/05/15 17.04 HUMAN RIGHTS IN DENMARK STATUS 2014-15 A SUMMARY Organisation: Jonas Christoffersen (Director), Louise Holck, Christoffer Badse, Anja Møller Pedersen, Lucienne Josephine Lokjær Jorgensen and Helle Schaumann ISBN: 978-87-93241-08-4 EAN: 9788793241084 © 2015 The Danish Institute for Human Rights Denmark’s National Human Rights Institution Wilders Plads 8K DK-1403 Copenhagen Phone +45 3269 8888 www.menneskeret.dk English translation: Steven Sampson Layout: Hedda Bank Printing: Rosendahls A/S Publications from the Danish Institute for Human Rights may be freely quoted as long as the sources is clearly acknowledged. We aim to ensure that our publications are as accessible as possible. We use a large font, short lines, few hyphenations, ragged margins and strong contrasts. IMR_Status2014_UK_01.indd 2 13/05/15 17.04 CONTENTS FOREWORD 4 1 INTRODUCTION TO HUMAN RIGHTS 5 2 IMPLEMENTATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS 7 3 ASYLUM 10 4 CHILDREN 13 5 DATA PROTECTION 16 6 ETHNIC ORIGIN 19 7 FAMILY LIFE 22 8 ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROL 25 9 DEPRIVATION OF LIBERTY 28 10 DISABILITY 32 11 GENDER 35 12 USE OF FORCE 39 13 HUMAN TRAFFICKING 41 14 RELIGION 43 15 FAIR TRIAL 46 16 THE RIGHT TO HOUSING 49 17 CITIZENSHIP 52 18 EDUCATION 55 19 EXPULSION AND EXTRADITION 57 20 ARMED CONFLICT 60 21 FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION 62 22 THE ELDERLY 65 3 IMR_Status2014_UK_01.indd 3 13/05/15 17.04 HUMAN RIGHTS IN DENMARK FOREWORD When we in Denmark compare ourselves with initiatives that have an immediate impact on many other countries, we can conclude that developments in the respective sector.
    [Show full text]
  • Cyber Terrorism Best Practices Analysis
    Funded by the European Commission Seventh Framework Programme CyberROAD Development of the Cybercrime and Cyber-terrorism Research Roadmap Grant Agreement N. 607642 D 6.3 – Cyber Terrorism Best Practices Analysis Date of deliverable: 30/09/2015 Actual submission date: 30/09/2015 Start date of the Project: 1st June 2014 Duration: 24 months Coordinator: UNICA – University of Cagliari, PRA Lab - Pattern Recognition and Applications Lab Version: 2.2 Project funded by the European Commission Directorate-General Home Affairs in the Prevention of and Fight against Crime Programme Restriction Level PU Public No PP Restricted to other programme participants (including the Commission services) No RE Restricted to a group specified by the consortium (including the Commission services) No CO Confidential, only for members of the consortium (including the Commission) Yes D6.2 Cyber Terrorism - Preliminary Best Practices Analysis Funded by the European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme Page 1 of 23 Revision history Version Object Date Author(s) 0.1 Creation 05/03/2015 INOV, PJ 1.0 Revision 1 13/03/2015 INOV, PJ 1.1 Revision 2 18/03/2015 INOV, PJ, INDRA 2.0 Revision 3 17/09/2015 INOV, MELANI, FORTH, CYBERDEFCON 2.1 Revision 4 24/09/2015 INOV, HMoD 2.2 Final 30/09/2015 INOV D6.2 Cyber Terrorism - Preliminary Best Practices Analysis Funded by the European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme Page 2 of 23 D6.3 Cyber Terrorism - Best Practices Analysis Responsible INOV Contributors PJ INDRA FORTH-ICS CYBERDEFCON HMoD MELANI Summary: Focused on cyber terrorism, this deliverable was divided into two releases: a preliminary best practices analysis (D6.2) and a final best practices analysis document (D6.3).
    [Show full text]
  • The International Clean IT Project Is Initiated by the Netherlands
    1 Clean IT Project To whom it may concern Return adress: Ministry of Security and Justice / NCTV Oranjebuitensingel 25 2511 VE The Hague PO box 16950 2500 BZ The Hague www.nctv.nl Email: [email protected] URL: www.cleanITproject.eu Date 16 November 2011 Concerning Progress Report Clean IT project With the financial support from the Prevention of and Clean IT Fight against Crime Programme of the European The international Clean IT project is initiated by the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, the Union United Kingdom and Spain and is partly funded by the European Commission. The European Commission – main goal of the Clean IT project is to initiate cooperation between public and private Directorate-General Justice, partners to counter the illegal use of the internet by terrorists. This will be done Freedom and Security through a series of workshops and conferences in Europe. Public and private partners will define their problems and try to establish a non-regulatory, pragmatic and transparent form of cooperation. EuroDIG in Belgrade During the European Dialogue on Internet Governance (2011 EuroDIG conference, May 31st) in Belgrade, the project partners had their kick-off meeting and discussed the scope of the project. The partners agreed that the project will focus on Al Qaïda influenced content. In the plenary cybersecurity session at the EuroDIG conference, the start of this project was announced. The Amsterdam workshop The first workshop took place in Amsterdam on October 24-25. A mix of public and private organizations was present to discuss illegal use of the internet. The fact that there is misuse of the internet, including cybercrime, hate speech, discrimination, illegal software, child pornography and terrorism, was not disputed.The internet is used by terrorists and extremists to spread violent images and propaganda material, glorify and encourage violence, radicalize and recruit individuals, spread training manuals and other knowledge on how to commit violent acts, and the internet is even used to plan and organize deadly attacks.
    [Show full text]
  • Observations on the State of Indigenous Human Rights in Denmark in Light of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Denmark
    Observations on the State of Indigenous Human Rights in Denmark in Light of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Denmark Prepared for United Nations Human Rights Council: Universal Periodic Review June 2015 Cultural Survival is an international Indigenous rights organization with a global Indigenous leadership and consultative status with ECOSOC. Cultural Survival is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in the United States. Cultural Survival monitors the protection of Indigenous peoples' rights in countries throughout the world and publishes its findings in its magazine, the Cultural Survival Quarterly; and on its website: www.cs.org Cultural Survival 2067 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA 02140 USA Tel: 1 (617) 441 5400 [email protected] www.culturalsurvival.org I. Summary Greenland is home to Denmark’s only recognized Indigenous group, the Inuit, who continue in the twenty-first century to uphold the importance of Indigenous cultural acknowledgement. In Greenland, there is currently excitement surrounding extractive industry. Extractive industry holds promises of independence for Greenland, thus the Government of Greenland is placing pressure on its increase in order to economically stabilize the Island. However, extractive industry damages the environment, which the Indigenous Inuit depend upon for their physical and cultural survival. II. Background on Denmark’s Relationship with Human Rights and its Indigenous Population The Kingdom of Denmark has long been a champion of human rights, leading the way for critical policy implementation in the international arena. Its recommendations have yielded some of the most influential conferences and declarations in the realm of human rights.
    [Show full text]
  • 2020 Denmark Country Report | SGI Sustainable Governance Indicators
    Denmark Report Finn Laursen, Torben M. Andersen, Detlef Jahn (Coordinator) Sustainable Governance Indicators 2020 © vege - stock.adobe.com Sustainable Governance SGI Indicators SGI 2020 | 2 Denmark Report Executive Summary Democracy functions well, and governance is credible and transparent in Denmark. Public trust in government and public administration is high. Comparatively, Denmark is extraordinary for its relatively strong economic performance (e.g., as measured by per capita income), but also for its relatively equal distribution of income and low poverty rates. The Danish welfare state is extensive both in terms of service provision and the social safety net. Though this translates into a high tax share. Overall, Denmark has shown that it is possible to combine an extensive welfare state with a well- functioning economy. The economy has performed well in recent years with activity and employment close to capacity. The recent debate on labor shortages and overheating has faded, and current projections predict a steadying of development with moderate growth rates and unemployment close to its structural level. Key macroeconomic indicators are favorable and performing comparatively well. The labor market integration of immigrants and the provision of welfare services (e.g., education, social care and healthcare) remain crucial challenges, and the implications of more ambitious climate policies are widely discussed. In an attempt to strengthen the incentive structure, and boost labor supply and employment, previous governments have had strong reform agendas. These agendas aimed to overhaul the structure and design of the social safety net (e.g., pensions, early retirement, social assistance and disability pensions), labor market policies and the tax system.
    [Show full text]
  • Racism in Denmark
    Racism in Denmark ENAR Shadow Report 2005 Bashy Quraishy Contents Table I. Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 2 II. Political and Legislative Developments.............................................................................. 5 II.i Anti discrimination............................................................................................................ 7 II.ii Migration, family reunion and asylum policies........................................................... 9 II.iii Racism as a crime .......................................................................................................... 10 II.iv Counter Terrorism .........................................................................................................11 III. Communities vulnerable to racism .................................................................................. 13 IV. Manifestations of racism and religious discrimination............................................... 15 IV.i Employment....................................................................................................................... 15 IV.ii Housing.............................................................................................................................. 16 IV.iii Education......................................................................................................................... 17 IV.iv Health..............................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The New Netwar
    The New Netwar: Countering Extremism Online Dr Martyn Frampton with Dr Ali Fisher and Dr Nico Prucha Foreword by General David H. Petraeus (US Army, Ret.) The New Netwar: Countering Extremism Online The New Netwar: Countering Extremism Online Dr Martyn Frampton With Dr Ali Fisher and Dr Nico Prucha Foreword by General David H. Petraeus (US Army, Ret.) Policy Exchange is the UK’s leading think tank. We are an educational charity whose mission is to develop and promote new policy ideas that will deliver better public services, a stronger society and a more dynamic economy. Registered charity no: 1096300. Policy Exchange is committed to an evidence-based approach to policy development. We work in partnership with academics and other experts and commission major studies involving thorough empirical research of alternative policy outcomes. We believe that the policy experience of other countries offers important lessons for government in the UK. We also believe that government has much to learn from business and the voluntary sector. Trustees Diana Berry, Andrew Feldman, Candida Gertler, Greta Jones, Edward Lee, Charlotte Metcalf, Roger Orf, Krishna Rao, Andrew Roberts, George Robinson, Robert Rosenkranz, Peter Wall. policyexchange.org.uk | 2 The New Netwar: Countering Extremism Online About the Authors Dr Martyn Frampton is a Reader in Modern History at Queen Mary University of London. He is the author of three books on ‘the Troubles’ in Northern Ireland and more recently has completed a major book on the history of the relationship between the Muslim Brotherhood and the West, which is due to be published by Harvard University Press in late 2017.
    [Show full text]
  • From Internet Referral Units to International Agreements: Censorship of the Internet by the Uk and Eu
    FROM INTERNET REFERRAL UNITS TO INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS: CENSORSHIP OF THE INTERNET BY THE UK AND EU Brian Chang* TABLE OF CONTENTS I. Internet Referral Units .................................. 116 A. Setting the Scene: UK and EU Law and Policy Toward Censorship of Extremist Content Online .............. ..... 116 B. The UK Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit.................126 (1) Background ...................................... 126 (2) Modus Operandi ..................................... 129 (3) Aggregate Statistics and Lack of Transparency ................. 130 (4) Future Directions? .................................... 132 C. The EU IRU........................................ 133 (1) Background ................................. ..... 133 (2) Modus Operandi ...................... .............. 134 (3) Mission Creep ....................................... 139 (4) Statistics ........................................ 140 (5) Future Directions ............................ ..... 142 D. Criticisms of IRUs. ............................. ...... 143 * Brian Chang is a Research Assistant with the University of Oxford's Parliaments, Rule of Law and Human Rights research project. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a B.A. (Hons.) in Jurisprudence and received an LL.M. (with Highest Honors) in International and Comparative Law from The George Washington University Law School, where he was also a Thomas Buergenthal Scholar. He would like to thank Professors Dawn Nunziato and Arturo Carrillo for their help and encouragement, Cynthia Wong and Emma Llanso for inspiring this topic, Alexandra Bornstein and the rest of the editors at Columbia for their tireless editorial assistance, and his family and partner for their never- ending support. The views presented here and any errors are the author's alone and should not be attributed to any of the persons or organizations he has had the good fortune of working with. 2018] From Internet Referral Units to InternationalAgreements 115 II. The International Human Rights Law Framework.....
    [Show full text]
  • 2017 Denmark Country Report | SGI Sustainable Governance Indicators
    Denmark Report Finn Laursen, Torben M. Andersen, Detlef Jahn (Coordinator) Sustainable Governance Indicators 2017 G etty Im ages/iStockphoto/ZC Liu Sustainable Governance SGI Indicators SGI 2017 | 2 Denmark Report Executive Summary Democracy functions well in Denmark, where governance features strong credibility and transparency. Public trust in government and public administration is high. Comparatively, Denmark is extraordinary for having achieved a relatively strong economic performance (e.g., as measured by per capita income), but also a relatively equal distribution of income and low poverty rates. The Danish welfare state is extensive both in terms of service provision and the social safety net; this translates, however, into a high tax burden. Overall, Denmark has shown that it is possible to combine an extended welfare state with a well-functioning economy. The economic recovery period after the financial crisis has been prolonged, but recent developments have been favorable. Employment has been increasing and unemployment is low in international comparisons, and is approaching the structural level. Assessed in terms of the usual macroeconomic indicators, the economic situation is rather positive. Accordingly, focus in economic policy has shifted from crisis management to more forward-looking issues, not least the ability to increase productivity and remain competitive. In an attempt to strengthen the incentive structure and, over time, boost the labor supply and employment, both the previous and present governments have had strong reform agendas. These agendas have aimed to overhaul the structure and design of all elements of the social safety net (i.e., pensions, early retirement, social assistance and disability pensions) as well as the tax system.
    [Show full text]
  • REPORT by Nils Muižnieks Commissioner for Human Rights Of
    Strasbourg, 24 March 2014 CommDH(2014)4 English only REPORT by Nils Muižnieks Commissioner for Human Rights of the Council of Europe Following his visit to Denmark from 19 to 21 November 2013 CommDH(2014)4 Summary Commissioner Nils Muižnieks and his delegation visited Denmark from 19 to 21 November 2013. In the course of this visit the Commissioner held discussions with representatives of the Danish authorities and institutions and with members of civil society. The present report draws on the themes of the Commissioner’s visit and focuses on the following selected human rights issues: I. Human rights of asylum-seekers and immigrants In recent years, the Danish authorities have adopted measures in the field of asylum, immigration and integration in order to address some of the human rights issues raised by the restrictive asylum and immigration policies implemented in Denmark since 2002. However, further improvements are required to ensure better protection of the human rights of asylum-seekers and immigrants. 1. The rights of children in the context of asylum and immigration The Commissioner is concerned that considerations relating to migration control tend to have primacy over the best interests of the child in actions and decisions affecting children in the context of asylum and immigration. The Danish authorities should ensure that the rights protected under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UN CRC) are better reflected in asylum and immigration policies and practices. In particular, requests for family reunification involving children should be dealt with in a more positive, humane and expeditious manner. Moreover, the best interests of the child should prevail over their integration potential, or the integration potential of their parents.
    [Show full text]