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copenhagen news
Thursday August 13, 2009 |
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Last night riot police broke into the “Brorsons” church in copenhagen and arrested a group of Iraqi asylum seekers that have been housed in the church through the last three months. The arrests happened against the will of the asylum seekers and were significantly brutal. It is the first time in danish history that the police choses to violate the tradition of the church as a sanctuary. For several hours, hundreds of activist tried to stop the police from driving the asylum seekers away from the the church. The police responded to this non-violent blockade with the use of dogs, batons and pepperspray, many of the activist were injured and at least five arrested. The police conducted the arrest on the same day as the prime minister of iraq, nuri al-maliki, announced that there is no agreement between denmark and iraq about the forceful deportations of any iraqi refugees currently located in denmark. The danish minister of integration,birthe rønn hornbech, have decided to overrule the reports coming from Amnesty International, Red Barnet and UHNCR, saying not to deport any iraqi refugees. Neither the police nor the danish government wish to claim responsibility for the decision to evict the “brorsons” church. there is still a possibility of stopping the deportations. Today (thursday the 13.08.09. at 18.00) the initiative “church asylum” organizes a demonstration, from the “brorsons” church on Rantzausgade to the danish parliament to protest against the inhumane and racist policies of the danish government. For more information go to the homepage of “church asylum” here (in danish) there is a lot of money needed to finance the struggle against the deportations, therefor the initiative “aktion auktion” are preparing a benefit art-auction which will take place on the 10th of september. you can read more about it here (in danish) More information on this will follow soon. 
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