Source : DR news
Posted by: Webmaster on 28-Jul-2010

While Dansk Folkeparti proposed raising the age for the family reunification of spouses from 24 to 28, and Det Konservative Folkeparti think the 24-years rule works just fine, the Venstre have new proposal.

Venstre wants to make it easier for some and more difficult for others to obtain family reunification with a foreign spouse. Under the current rules, both spouses must be at least 24 years of age in order to obtain family reunification in Denmark - a rule its proponents claim prevents forced marriages.

But the rule also affects Danes who have fallen in love with foreigners and want to get married in all regularity, admits spokesman on integration affairs for Venstre, Karsten Lauritzen.

Risk assessment
The party therefore now wants risk assessment rather than age to decide whether couples may obtain early family reunification.

In Holland, foreigners are separated into various so-called risk groups. Holland has thus categorized nationalities by the assessed risk of forced marriages. Venstre plans to take a closer look at the Dutch model.

- If Holland has found a way of doing things which is better than the Danish way, we have to look at it without prejudice, Karsten Lauritzen tells DR radio news P1 Morgen.

- It is my mission to ensure that we have legislation which strikes at those who wish to force others to get married, but does not place unnecessary roadblocks in the path of others, he says.

Not discriminatory
Karsten Lauritzen says such a practice would not be discriminatory. He emphasizes that Denmark already categorizes other nationalities by perceived risk when it comes to applicants for visas to Denmark. And different rules apply to citizens of EU-countries and citizens of non-EU countries.

- This is in no way expressive of a desire to preclude certain groups from family reunification, but simply of a desire to implement legislation which is based on risk assessment. We already do that in a number of other fields, says spokesman on integration affairs Karsten Lauritzen.

Karsten Lauritzen would not be pressed on which countries pose the greatest risk when it comes to forced marriages.

- I can't say exactly. But we all know that the United States and Australia have no tradition of forced marriages, says Karsten Lauritzen.

Human rights
If studies of the Dutch model are encouraging, legal experts would have to review the model and ensure that it is in line with the European Convention on Human Rights, Karsten Lauritzen promises.

- It would mean more thorough studies and finding documentation for the level of risk. Of course, it entails plenty of problems. Most legislation does, says Venstre's spokesman on integration affairs.