UN Human Rights Council, 63rd session. Geneva, 25 September 2026.

During the adoption of the outcome of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Denmark at the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council, EMISCO, together with its partners CAP Liberté de Conscience and Youth for Human Rights Denmark, delivered an oral statement addressing gaps in Denmark’s first National Action Plan Against Racism and ongoing concerns regarding freedom of religion or belief.

Background

The statement builds on the joint stakeholder submission CAP LC filed for the 52nd UPR session in May 2026, prepared together with its partners EMISCO and Youth for Human Rights Denmark.

The submission, titled “Denmark’s Anti Racism Efforts”, examined whether the plan constitutes an adequate response to recommendations Denmark received during its previous UPR cycle, and identified critical shortcomings, including:

  • the omission of Muslims, Afro-Danes, Roma and migrants from the plan’s named target groups;
  • the absence of clear prohibitions on racial and religious profiling.

Key messages in our statement

National Action Plan Against Racism

  • Welcomed the plan, but regretted its shortcomings.
  • Noted that it names only Jewish and Greenlandic communities, omitting Muslims, Afro-Danes, Roma and migrants.

Discriminatory policies

  • Echoed recommendations 125.39 and 125.223.
  • Called to discontinue the stigmatising “non-Western” classification and review the discriminatory Parallel Societies Act.

Freedom of religion or belief

  • Welcomed the Office of the Special Representative for Freedom of Religion or Belief.
  • Recalled recommendations 125.80 and 125.37 on protecting religious minorities and accountability for religiously based violence.

Ongoing concerns

  • Regretted that Penal Code section 110(e) remains vague and chills free expression.
  • Deplored hate incidents against Jehovah’s Witnesses.
  • Expressed concern over the normalisation of Islamophobic “remigration” rhetoric by political leaders at the Copenhagen march of 5 September 2026.
We urge Denmark to broaden its plan, guarantee equal protection of religious minorities, and reject discourse degrading people because of their faith.

Veysel FilizEMISCO Spokesperson
25 September 2026