September 2011

Human Rights Council.
18th Session.
Agenda item. UPR Country – Denmark

Individual Oral Statement- Islamic Human Rights Commission   

Mr. President,

The Islamic Human Rights Commission would like to draw your attention to the on going discrimination towards the Muslim citizens of Denmark. It has been reported that Muslims have been removed from boarding flights on the basis of reading books on the religion Islam and further interrogated by police and held in cells for several hours. Such behaviour marginalises the Muslim community further disrupting social cohesion. The European Convention on Human Rights prohibits discrimination, Article 14 provides that the Convention rights ‘shall be secured without discrimination on any ground such as ‘…religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, association with a national minority or other status’.

Furthermore, Muslim women living in Denmark are experiencing prejudice through employment as they are being discriminated against for wearing the headscarf. This is a violation of Article 11 of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, which provides for equal rights for men and women in the field of employment.

The prejudice attitude towards Danish Muslim citizens are common in Denmark examples include the publishing of the controversial cartoon of the prophet Muhammad [Peace be upon him] such infringement that caused great distress in the Danish and international Muslim community. The Islamic Human Rights Commission urges the government of Denmark to take measures in providing their citizens a better understanding of the religion Islam and to promote the acceptance of their Muslim citizens by re-establishing tolerance towards them.

Thank you Mr. President

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