legal and social conditions for asylum seekers and refugees in ...

SOCIAL CONDITIONS FOR PERSONS UNDER TEMPORARY PROTECTION
Introduction/legal basis
Housing
Temporary protection has been granted in Denmark to “certain persons from the former
Yugoslavia” according to Act No. 933 of 28 November 1992 with subsequent amendments, and
to “aliens from Kosovo” according to Act No. 251 of 28 April 1999 (see “Other types of residence
permit” in “Legal Conditions” above).
Under these two acts, persons granted temporary protection are issued with residence permits
valid for six months at a time.
Refugees from Bosnia-Herzegovina
Since 1992, Denmark received approximately 18,000 refugees from Bosnia-Herzegovina. Most
Bosnian refugees are granted asylum or a residence permit according to Section 9.2.5 of the
Aliens Act (see “Other types of residence permit” above) and are offered an “integration
programme” under the same terms as recognised refugees.
Bosnian under temporary protection were offered a special “activation programme” including,
amongst other things, education for adults and for children, classes in Danish language and
society, foreign language tuition and vocational activities for adults.
Following amendments made to the Aliens Act and the entry into force of the Integration Act in
1999, the social conditions for Bosnians under temporary protection and those granted to asylum
seekers are very similar.
Refugees from Kosovo
Kosovo Albanians granted temporary protection are offered an “activation programme”, which is
very similar to the one offered to Bosnians. This mainly includes education, vocational training,
classes in Danish language and society, etc.
Both Bosnians and Kosovo Albanians under temporary protection have been accommodated
under the same conditions as asylum seekers, but in special centres run by the Red Cross or the
Danish Civil Defence in agreement with the Immigration Service.
However, it has been possible for Bosnians to move out of the accommodation centres into
“satellite” houses or flats rented by the Danish Red Cross, or to stay with friends or family
members already settled in Denmark. Kosovo Albanians were also allowed to move outside the
centres. In both cases, unlike asylum seekers, those who moved out the centres were still entitled
to receive financial assistance.
Freedom of residence/movement
In principle the same as for asylum seekers, except that those who left the centres still receive
financial assistance.
Financial assistance
The same as asylum seekers.
62
Denmark