List of issues in relation to the fifth periodic report of Denmark

Addendum

Replies of Denmark to the list of issues *, **

[Date received: 7 June 2017]

Denmark is pleased to submit its written replies to the List of Issues, dated 8 March, 2017, CRC/C/DNK//Q/5. In the spirit of cooperation, Denmark is providing as much information as possible in response to the Committee’s questions and comments, taking into consideration the word count. Denmark also expresses its appreciation for the opportunity to appear in person before the Committee in September 2017.

Please note that the reply contains answers from the Danish, Faroese and Greenlandic authorities. If nothing else is explicitly stated the information provided refers to the situation in Denmark and is provided by the Danish authorities.

Part I

Para. 1

In light of the recommendation adopted by the Committee on 4 February 2011 Denmark has considered withdrawing its reservation to article 40(2)(b)(v). However, under Danish law it is a general principle applicable to children and adults alike that the possibility to bring an appeal is restricted in minor, less serious cases. Thus, pursuant to Section 902 of the Administration of Justice Act a convicted person can only appeal a judgment made by the city court if the person concerned has appeared during the proceedings and has been given a sentence of more than 20 daily fines or a fine of DKK 3,000 or more or confiscation of objects of an equivalent value or if other public law sentences have been imposed upon him or her. If the person has not appeared before the city court he or she can only appeal if the appeal does not regard the question of guilt and the above mentioned other conditions are fulfilled. In view of this, Denmark has decided not to withdraw its reservation to article 40(2)(b)(v).

Para. 2

As noted in our fifth periodic report Denmark has decided not to incorporate the Convention into Danish law. However, it should be noticed, that international conventions ratified by Denmark, can be invoked before and applied by the Danish Courts and other judicial authorities, although they are not separately implemented in Danish law.

According to the Danish so-called “interpretation and presumptions rules”, the courts and other judicial authorities must to the extent possible apply Danish legislation in a way that is not contrary towards Denmark’s international obligations.

As an example of raising awareness about the Convention, reference can be made to e.g. the basic education at the Police Academy. Both the basic education at the Police Academy and the further and advanced training programme for law enforcement officials include dilemma situations and cases, asking the students to reflect on police ethics with a general focus on human rights issues and thematic focus on the special obligations for the police in relation to children and victims in the regular police patrol duty as well as in the development of crime prevention measures in relation to children.

International obligations and human rights issues are often important parts of the content of the mandatory courses for prosecutor trainees and the optional courses for all prosecutors. In addition prosecutors may apply to attend courses on human rights offered by i.a. The Danish Institute of Human Rights.

In regard to judges the Court Administration offers approximately 250 different training courses annually. At the moment there are no specific courses or lectures offered with a focus solely on human rights or children’s rights. A specific seminar is, however, offered for court personnel in September 2017 regarding custody cases. Children’s rights are included as a part of the seminar. In addition the Court Administration offers international training on the subject through our international partners such as the Academy of European Law, European Judicial Training Network and through cooperation between the Nordic countries.

Para. 3

The Government launched in 2015 an information campaign to raise awareness of the Convention. As part of the campaign two publications were published which focus on guidance in situations where a private school is contemplating expelling a student. The publications aim to help private schools to increase the involvement of students in cases of expulsion. An evaluation of the awareness of the publications and of school policies in the field showed that there was room for improvement. The Government has hence in March 2017 emphasized this area and supplemented the existing guidance material for private schools with a clearer instruction on how private schools in accordance with the Convention are obliged to consult a child in important decisions affecting the student i.a. in cases of expulsion. An evaluation of the new guidance material will be carried out in 2018.

The Government has furthermore enhanced the focus on students’ citizenship and critical skills in the simplified “Common Goals” for primary and lower secondary school from the school year 2015/16. Human rights are explicitly a part of the binding objectives for social studies and the compulsory subject of health and sex education and family studies.

During autumn of 2017 a special week is planned with enhanced focus on community, democracy and citizenship in the education system. The focus of the Government will be on democracy in action through a national campaign.

Para. 4

Section 266 b of the Danish Criminal Code

Pursuant to section 266 b of the Danish Criminal Code, any person who publicly, or with the intent of dissemination to a wide group, issues a statement or other communication threatening, humiliating or degrading persons of a particular group because of their race, colour, national or ethnic origin, religious faith or sexuality is sentenced to a fine or imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years. Please refer to the annex, section 1 for information on the number of contraventions of Section 266 b of the Criminal Code.

Data system for monitoring hate crimes

Until 2014 the Danish Security and Intelligence Service (DSIS) was tasked with collecting data on hate crime. The DSIS published annual reports on the subject.

In 2015, overall responsibility for hate crime data collection as well as for the publication of annual reports was transferred to the Danish National Police (DNP). The DNP started the process of setting up a new data collection system in which police caseworkers enter relevant information and search-keywords directly into an electronic case management system.

Education of police

A course regarding hate crimes is part of the mandatory curriculum at the Danish police academy. The course is case based and includes knowledge on i.a. what constitutes a hate crime.

As part of the continued education of police officers seminars on handling hate crimes were held by The Danish Security and Intelligence Service and the Danish Institute for Human Rights in the period from 2011 until 2013. Approximately 250 employees attended the seminars. The Danish National Police has developed a training seminar dealing with hate crimes which was first held on 28 February 2017. It involved lecturers from the Danish Public Prosecution Service, the Director of Public Prosecutions, LGBT Denmark and the Jewish Society. The seminar had 30 participants.

Initiatives targeting children and young people

As part of the comprehensive effort to prevent extremism and radicalization preventive interventions towards all children and young people are intended to further the welfare, development and active citizenship of our children and young people, as well as prevent the development of risk behaviour that can lead to radicalization or crime. These interventions aim at providing children and young people democratic skills, honing critical thinking and social competences.

Initiatives include:

•a model schools project for the prevention of hate crimes to develop tools for preventing polarizing and bullying behaviour among pupils as well as for dealing with division, prejudices and stereotypes

•a nationwide youth dialogue corps consisting of young people aged between 18 and 35, who run discussions and workshops to fuel a continuing debate among young people on topics significant to their development, independence and sense of belonging to communities in society. This includes topics such as identity, discrimination and non-discrimination, images of friends and enemies, intolerance, extremism etc.

•mobilizing young voices in the prevention of online radicalization and hate speech

•a systematic effort to in day-care facilities, primary schools and upper secondary schools to strengthen democratic skills and citizenship.

Para. 5

Denmark

Children placed in care

Several initiatives have been put in place to reduce the number of vulnerable children being placed in care. Pursuant to the Act on Social Services support must be provided to a child at an early stage to i.a. ensure that the child’s needs can be met in the home. The support must be adapted to the specific situation and the needs of the child.

To support preventive measures at an early stage, the Government has allocated DKK 96 million for the period 2016 to 2019 for investments in organizational changes in local municipalities to enhance their preventive efforts towards vulnerable children.

If it is, however, assessed to be in the best interest of the child to be placed in care, an effort is made to protect the child’s right to maintain relations with family and network considering the best interest of the child, including the health and safety of the child. To ensure as far as possible that children placed in care grow up in a family-like environment, municipalities are legally bound to consider placement in a foster family when placing a child in care. Recently, the Government has issued new regulation to improve the supervision and training of foster families. Furthermore, a number of projects on improving foster care have been initiated in collaboration between the Government and the municipalities who are responsible for social services. Since the adoption of the Child Reform Act in 2011 the number of children placed in foster care has increased from 49 per cent of all children placed in care in 2009 to 62 per cent in 2015.

It is furthermore a priority to strengthen the possibility for children to be placed in care with relatives etc. An amendment of the relevant legislation came into force on 1 October 2015, giving these types of foster families the right to receive additional support from the municipality. Furthermore, a nationwide network of foster care consultants has been established i.a. to share and develop best practises on involvement of the child’s family and network.

Auditor General’s report

The Auditor General has examined the area of alternative care in Denmark in a historical perspective from 2006-2016. The Auditor General criticized the follow up on the effects of social work as well as the follow up on the implementation of political reforms. In October 2016 the Minister for Children and Social Affairs submitted a follow up-report to the Auditor General containing information on the initiatives taken to address the report. The follow up report provides information on the implementation of a new strategy for work with data on social services. Furthermore, it describes initiatives which have been taken to strengthen the focus on effects of social services in the municipalities i.a. through improving the development of methods to document effects. In addition political focus on the implementation of reforms has been strengthened and will continue to be a focal point in the future.

The Auditor General has informed the Ministry for Children and Social Affairs that he will follow the development in the area.

Greenland

The Government of Greenland has launched a revision of the Public School Act authorizing the Government of Greenland to draw up detailed rules regarding the conditions in the boarding schools. The bill is expected to be presented at the 2017 Fall Assembly of the Greenlandic Parliament. This legislative initiative will include detailed rules regarding the physical and educational framework in the boarding schools, including care and parent-school cooperation. Towards the adoption of the revised legislation concerning municipal primary and lower secondary school the Government will produce a draft for an act on the work of the boarding schools, ensuring that the revised legislation and the act can enter into force at the same time.

Para. 6

The Government is currently working to present legislation on a ban on discrimination by private or public entities on the grounds of disability outside the labour market. The aim is to ensure that persons including children with disabilities have the opportunity to bring a legal claim in cases of discrimination.

It is of great importance to the Government to ensure that the quality of care and treatment for children with disabilities placed in care is continually improved. The social supervisory authority is responsible for approving and supervising all care facilities. The authority carries out its work based on a “model of quality”. The model contains evaluation within different thematic subjects including independence and relations, target group, methods and results as well as qualifications. The focus is on the results for the children living in the care facility.

Furthermore the National Board of Social Services is current working on developing guidelines for the prevention and detection of violence and sexual abuse against children and young people with and without disabilities.

Para. 7

The amendment of the Psychiatric Act

In May 2015, the Danish Parliament adopted changes to the Danish Psychiatric Act. The aim was to clarify the legal position of minor psychiatric patients. Patients aged 15-17 who do not consent to treatment are pursuant to the amendment covered by the Psychiatric Act and are ensured legal safeguards as an adult patient.

The Psychiatric Act does not apply to minors under the age of 15, if the custodial parent has provided an informed consent to the treatment of the child. Parents of a minor psychiatric patient must, however, be informed that it is possible to decide not to use coercion against a minor. In these cases the minor will be covered by the Psychiatric Act, if the conditions for use of coercive measures are met. This means that the minor will have access to the same legal safeguards as an adult, i.e. a patient advisor and the right to appeal.

The hospital staff has an obligation to talk to the child shortly after the child has been submitted to coercion. During this conversation the staff will i.e. talk about how the child has experienced the coercion as well as make sure that the child understands the reason for the coercion.

Psychostimulant drugs

The Government is not aware of any recent increase in the number of children with learning and behavioural disorders treated with psychostimulant drugs. The number of children with learning and behavioural disorders treated with psychostimulant drugs has been rather stable since 2011 with minor fluctuation over the years. In 2011, 13.1 children pr. 1000 children aged 0-18 have been prescribed psychostimulant drugs. In 2015, 13.0 children pr. 1000 children aged 0-18 years have been prescribed psychostimulant drugs.

Para. 8

Denmark

The Danish Government believes that education and employment are the most important tools in preventing and combating poverty. Therefore measures within the employment and educational system are central to address the root causes of poverty among families.

Adults in some families are not able to work or experience unemployment for a longer period of time. The social security system in Denmark provides an income for all families who do not earn an income on the labour market. Furthermore families with children are guaranteed extra benefits.

The Danish Government has launched ten national goals for social mobility which underline the use of evidence based social interventions in the municipalities. The social goals concern education and employment of vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.

The Danish Government is publishing an annual report concerning the status on implementation of the Government’s national social goals. The report highlights challenges within the area of social services and contributes to the development of knowledge based policy initiatives aimed at reducing social marginalization and strengthening labour market participation.

The Danish Government will strengthen the quality of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) by an increased focus on child well-being and learning and hereby contribute further to breaking the cycle of negative social heritage. A high quality of ECEC is important for children’s development and learning, and the Government has hence in April 2017 proposed a new initiative on this subject. DKK 580 million has been allocated to the initiative.

Faroe Islands

According to numbers from Statistics Faroes being a single parent is a significant factor for the risk of poverty in the Faroe Islands. The same conclusion was reached in a government report from 2014 on a Faroese poverty line.

The challenge of being at risk of poverty in the Faroe Islands has been met by a series of policies — both on regional and national level — aimed at increasing families’ spending power, especially single parent’s families.

In 2015 the allowance for single parents was increased from DKK 6588 to DKK 10000 per child. In 2016 Parliamentary Act no. 160 of 24/12/2015 regarding family allowance was adopted. It supplies low-income families with additional allowances. Single parents receive DKK 18000 per year for one child and a DKK 5000 add-on for each child after the first. Couples receive DKK 22000 per year plus a DKK 5000 add-on for the following children.

The Government has also introduced a tax break for people with low incomes in 2016. For a person earning DKK 200000 DKK per year the Government tax was cut by DKK 6700. In 2017 families with children younger than 2 years old will receive DKK 2700 per year in child benefit. The monthly student grant for single parents, who are studying, was increased in 2017. The grant is now also provided 12 months a year rather than 11 months. The changes leave students with an annual income increase of DKK 12700. Additionally, several municipalities have increased their local child allowance and cut down the cost of day care for children.

For single parents with one child, who are students or have a low income, the spending power has increased by DKK 30000-40000 a year over the last three years.

Public rental housing projects are also currently under construction. Within the coming years 400 new public rental homes are expected to become available.

Greenland

As part of the fight against poverty a social safety net has been established securing children in low-income families through a range of social systems. Child benefit and maintenance, which are child care subsidies, are provided in accordance with social legislation. Furthermore, citizens who are unable to provide for themselves and their families may be granted additional public support; in these calculations special consideration is payed to the children of a family. Housing benefit may also be provided.

In addition, several services and facilities for marginalised families with young children have been established. Family centres provide family treatment, counselling and guidance as well as family development courses for marginalised families. The aim is to support and help marginalized families and in particular to strengthen and develop the parenting role of parents in marginalised families. In 2017 there are family centres in the following Greenlandic towns: Qaanaaq, Upernavik, Uummannaq, Ilulissat, Qasigiannguit, Qeqertarsuaq, Kangaatsiaq, Aasiaat, Sisimiut, Maniitsoq, Nuuk, Paamiut, Qaqortoq, Narsaq, Nanortalik and Tasiilaq.

Based on decision of the parliament in spring of 2015, the Government will at the 2017 Fall Assembly of the Greenlandic Parliament present a report on opportunities to prevent and limit financial inequality and poverty in society and to establish a poverty line.

Para. 9

In 2015, an amendment to the Danish Aliens Act introduced a new temporary subsidiary protection status for refugees who are entitled to asylum due to a general situation in the home country, cf. para. 93 of Denmark’s fifth periodic report.

The regulation on temporary protection status does not apply to refugees who are granted residence permits according to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, and foreigners who due to individual circumstances are at risk of the death penalty or of being subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in case of return to his or her country of origin.

Pursuant to the 2015 amendment, family reunification will in general not be granted to a foreigner with temporary protection status, whose residence permit had not yet been extended after one year, cf. para. 93 of Denmark’s fifth periodic report.

A further amendment to the family reunification rules in 2016 extended the period in which family reunification to foreigners with a temporary protection status is normally postponed from 1 to 3 years. Exceptions shall be made in all cases, where Denmark’s international obligations so require.

The authorities will perform an individual assessment in each case thereby ensuring observance of Denmark’s international obligations and ensuring that family reunification is granted where individual circumstances dictate it. International obligations may require that family reunification is granted for instance if the person residing in Denmark prior to the departure of his or her home country taken care of a spouse who has a disability or if the person residing in Denmark has critically ill children in the home country. Likewise, cases may arise where the rights of the child may require that family reunification is granted.

Para. 10

Upon the arrival of an unaccompanied minor in Denmark, an appropriate adult shall be appointed to safeguard the minor’s interests, including if relevant by providing guidance during the asylum proceedings. Since Denmark’s fourth periodic report a number of legislative changes have been adopted, including an amendment of the Danish Aliens Act making the process for appointing such an appropriate adult to the unaccompanied minor faster and more efficient.

Additionally, an unaccompanied minor whose asylum application has been refused is furthermore assigned counsel to assist the minor during the appeal proceedings in the Danish Refugee Appeals Board. If the appeal is refused by the Danish Refugee Appeals Board the counsel will remain assigned to provide the unaccompanied minor with professional legal aid even after the asylum process is completed.

Accommodation is provided for all unaccompanied minors at special children’s accommodation centres run by the Danish Red Cross. The centres are staffed 24 hours a day. The centres are responsible for knowing the whereabouts of the children and carries out inspections 3 times a day for this purpose. If necessary, the staff may implement stricter security measures, such as checking the presence more frequently or by providing accommodation at another location. If an unaccompanied minor is discovered to be missing, the police will issue a nationwide warrant, and the local authority and the minor’s personal representative will be informed.

In May 2015, a new National Action Plan to Combat Trafficking in Human Beings was launched. As well as continuing established activities the action plan includes the implementation of new initiatives within the focus areas of (1) prevention of human trafficking in Denmark and internationally, (2) identification of and improved support to victims, (3) prosecution of traffickers and (4) partnership and coordination. Education and training of officials and other stakeholders is continued and further developed continuously.

Para. 11

Pursuant to section 7(1) of the Danish Aliens Act, a residence permit will be issued to a refugee who falls within the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees.

Pursuant to section 7(2) of the Danish Aliens Act, a residence permit will be issued to a refugee who is in risk of the death penalty or being subjected to torture, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment in case of return to his country of origin (protection status).

Pursuant to section 7(3) of the Danish Aliens Act, a residence permit will be issued to a refugee who is in need of protection due to general violence in the country of origin (temporary subsidiary protection status).

According to the Danish Aliens Act any refusal of an asylum application must be accompanied by a decision as to whether the alien in question can be removed from Denmark if he or she does not voluntarily leave the country. Pursuant to section 31(1) of the Danish Aliens Act, an alien may not be returned to a country where he will be at risk of the death penalty or of being subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, or where the alien will not be protected against being sent on to such country (“non-refoulement”). This provision applies to all asylum seekers and must be applied in accordance with Denmark’s international obligations.

To make sure, that the principle of non-refoulement is fully respected, the authorities will during the asylum procedure obtain information — e.g. regarding the risk of female genital mutilation if relevant — and assess whether a minor child — accompanied and unaccompanied — has an independent reason to be granted asylum.

Para. 12

The Danish Government is currently considering introducing a new system focused on crime prevention for young individuals between the age of 12 and 17. The overall intention is to adopt a proactive approach with responses customised to the specific young person.

In light of the recommendation adopted by the Committee on the Rights of the Child on 4 February 2011, Denmark has considered repealing the 2010 amendment which changed the upper limit of prison sentences applicable to persons who were under 18 years when the crime was committed.

Act no. 711 of 25 June 2010 amended the upper limit of prison sentences applicable to persons who were under 18 years when they committed a crime. According to the preparatory works the perpetrator’s young age should in general continue to constitute a mitigating circumstance when determining a sentence for a crime that was committed before the perpetrator had attained the age of 18. The amendment of the Criminal Code is only of importance in cases of particularly aggravated crime, such as homicide, where it may be argued that there are special reasons to emphasise law enforcement considerations. The courts should hence not be precluded from emphasizing law enforcement considerations and in the most serious of cases based on a specific assessment find that a sentence of more than eight years of imprisonment should be imposed on a perpetrator. It should be noted that, a perpetrator who had not attained the age of 18 years when committing a crime may not be sentenced to life in prison.

In view of this, Denmark has decided not to repeal the amendment regarding the upper limit for sentencing of person below the age of 18 years.

Part II

Para 13

Denmark

Criminal law

By act no. 167 of 27 February 2016 the provisions regarding video interviewing of children in the Administration of Justice Act were amended in order to expand the use of video interviewing, thus, eliminating the need for the child to testify in court. By act no. 635 of 8 June 2016 the Criminal Code was amended in order to raise the sentencing level for rape and for sexual activity with a child below the age of consent when use is made of a physical or psychological superiority.

Radicalization and extremism

The Government published a new national action plan on preventing and combating radicalization and extremism in October 2016. The plan contains a comprehensive catalogue of 41 new initiatives, including initiatives aimed at strengthening youth resilience against extremism. One of the initiatives is the creation of the Danish Centre for Prevention of Extremism which was established in January 2017. The centre is in charge of providing knowledge-based counselling and skills enhancement services to local actors involved in the general prevention work, including municipalities, crime-preventive collaborations, educational institutions, health care personnel, housing organizations, NGO’s etc. Its work will be based on systematic gathering of knowledge, experience sharing and the development of prevention methods.

One of the initiatives in the Action Plan is to carry out a new digital mapping project anchored within the DSIS and the police with the aim to equip authorities with a better and more adequate, precise and updated picture of the role that social media plays in connection with radicalization and hate crimes in Denmark. The collected knowledge shall i.a. be used to focus and strengthen the preventive efforts carried out by various ministries, agencies, municipalities, the police, civil society etc.

The Ministry of Education provides advice to schools and school administrators on the prevention of extremism and radicalization. Schools and municipalities are continuously invited to participate in various national events on democracy, citizenship and prevention of radicalization in the school setting. Furthermore materials have been published which provides teachers, pedagogical staff and school leaders with practical tools on preventing marginalization and radicalization. The materials include instructions on how to obtain support in case of specific concerns of radicalization.

Online sexual abuse

On 3 February 2017 the Government launched a number of initiatives to counter online sexual abuse. The initiatives include prevention, punishment and help for victims. Online sexual abuse will be prevented through social media campaigns, new curricula in upper secondary schools and inspirational resources. A number of initiatives aim to strengthen the efforts of the police and the prosecution in cases of online sexual abuse in order to ensure that victims of online sexual abuse receive the appropriate help and guidance and that the perpetrators are prosecuted. Furthermore, the maximum penalty for invasion of privacy under aggravating circumstances will be increased.

On 18 December 2016 the Minister of Justice launched a policy initiative to enhance justice for victims of sexual abuse and in particular child victims. The initiative includes a proposal to abolish the statutes of limitation on criminal liability for offences related to sexual abuse of children as well as proposals to ensure that claims for damages and compensation may always be put forward against authorities which have neglected statutory duties in cases concerning sexual abuse of children. Lastly the initiative seeks to increase the compensation that victims of sexual offences are entitled to and to make it easier to request such compensation from the State. A bill containing the proposals is expected to be introduced in the Danish Parliament this year.

Anti-bullying

The Government in cooperation with organizations representing children launched in 2016 a national action plan concerning anti-bullying which is currently under implementation. The aim of the action plan is to prevent and combat bullying in day care, primary, lower secondary and secondary schools. The action plan includes recommendations to parents, school councils, teachers, pedagogical staff, schools leaders, municipalities, organizations and the Government to prevent and combat bullying. The recommendations directed at the state level include strengthening legislation, focus on anti-bullying strategies, establishing a supervisory, advisory and review body against bullying, strengthening of the skills of professionals and preventing sharing of offensive pictures online. DKK 42.8 million has been allocated in 2017 to combat bullying.

Family reunification

In June 2016, the rules in the Aliens’ Act on family reunification with children were amended as a follow-up to the judgement delivered by the Court of Justice of the European Union on 12 April 2016 in case C-561/14, Genc v Integrationsministeriet. Prior to the amendment, family reunification between a third-country national residing in Denmark and his or her child above the age of 6 was subject to the condition that the child had or had the possibility of establishing sufficient ties with Denmark to enable him or her successfully to integrate. The rule applied when the child and the other parent resided in the State of origin or in another State, and the application for family reunification was submitted more than two years from the date on which the parent residing in Denmark obtained a permanent residence permit or a residence permit with a possibility of permanent residence. The two year deadline has now been abolished. Thus, the integration requirement is now a condition which applies to all applications for family reunification with a child, regardless of the time for submitting the application. Still, the rule only applies if the other parent lives outside Denmark with the child and the child is more than 8 years old. Moreover, special circumstances may mean that the condition does not have to be met.

Housing of underage spouses and partners in the asylum system

On 10 February 2016, the Government issued new directions regarding housing of underage spouses and partners in the asylum system. The new directions do not concern asylum seeking couples where both partners are above the age of 18, which is the age of majority in Denmark. The new directions imply that underage spouses and partners shall — as a starting point — be housed separately from their spouse or partner in the asylum system. The housing directions aim namely to better ensure that the housing in the asylum system does not contribute to maintaining a minor in a forced marriage or relationship and to prevent infringements of the rules on the age of consent and illegal coercion. An individual assessment must always be carried out. In all cases, where Denmark’s international obligations require that exception shall be made, the spouses or partners shall be housed together.

Proposal regarding peace and order at accommodation centres forunaccompanied minors

On 26 April 2017 the Government presented a bill to Parliament regarding peace and order at accommodation centres for unaccompanied minors. The bill contains a number of initiatives, including house rules at the accommodation centres, the possibility for the staff to use force and in severe cases, where the minor requires special attention, the possibility to place unaccompanied minors in social institutions. The bill is still under review but is expected to be adopted in early June 2017.

Greenland

Regulation on management and organization of the social system

The Greenlandic Parliament regulation on management and organization of the social system was amended in 2016. The act provides a legal basis for suspending a municipality’s management of the social code of practice. Suspension may concern the entire or parts of the social code of practice or established fields of responsibility. Suspension requires that the municipal council to a significant extent has failed to fulfil the obligations of the municipality or the rights of the citizens. Following decisions of suspension, the competence of the municipal council can be transferred to the Government.

A bill for a parliament act on child support will be presented at the 2017 Spring Assembly of the parliament. The bill is a reform of the support provided to children and their families and to adolescents in rehabilitation. Support for children and their families is based on an overall assessment of the needs of the child and gives children equal rights to support, understood as the necessary support adjusted to the individual needs of the child. Within a series of areas, the bill implements the United Nations Convention of the Rights of the Child, including the child’s right to be heard in his or her own cases, the right to appeal in his or her own cases, the right to a lay representative etc. It appears from the bill that the act will enter into force on 1 July 2017.

National Board of Social Services

In 2017 the Greenlandic Government established a National Board of Social Services, which falls under the Ministry of Social Affairs, Family, Gender Equality and Justice. The National Board of Social Services will run and strengthen the 24-hour care centres and support the Greenlandic municipalities in general within the social area.

Social supervisory body

In 2016 an independent supervisory body was established under the auspices of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Family, Gender Equality and Justice. The supervisory body is responsible for performing sectoral control with the social area in the municipalities, including settlements, and for supervising all 24-hour care centres.

Strategy and action plan against violence

In 2016, as part of the effort to implement the Government’s strategy and action plan against violence 2014-2017, the Ministry of Social Affairs, Family, Gender Equality and Justice made the treatment offer “Alliaq” available to individuals with problems with violence and aggression towards their partner.

Optional Protocol regarding the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography

On 10 October 2016 Greenland accepted the optional protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child regarding the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography.

Part III

Para 14

Denmark

Family and/or child allowances, conditional cash transfer systems

	DKK millions, 2017-price and wage level	Percentage of total public expenditure	Percentage of gross national product
	2014	2015	2016	2014	2015	2016	2014	2015	2016
Child and youth benefit	14.757	14.663	14.662	2,8	2,7	2,7	0,7	0,7	0,7
Child benefits	3.004	3.078	3.066	0,6	0,6	0,6	0,1	0,1	0,1
Total	17.761	17.741	17.728	3,3	3,3	3,3	0,9	0,8	0,8

Public expenditure regarding family and/or child allowances, conditional cash transfer systems

Health services, in particular primary health services

	DKK millions, 2017-price and wage level	Percentage of total public expenditure	Percentage of gross national product
	2014	2015	2016	2014	2015	2016	2014	2015	2016
Health expenditure in total	159.773	162.737	164.079	29,8	30,2	30,6	7,7	7,8	7,8
I ncluding primary health care	28.919	29.234	29.581	5,4	5,4	5,5	1,4	1,4	1,4
Total	159.773	162.737	164.079	29,8	30,2	30,6	7,7	7,8	7,8

Early childhood development (care and education)

Annual municipal expenses on early childhood development

	DKK millions, 2017-price and wage level	Percentage of total public expenditure	Percentage of gross national product
	2014	2015	2016	2014	2015	2016	2014	2015	2016
Operating expenses (exclusive of parental payment)	27.834	28.578	28.357	5,2	5,3	5,3	1,3	1,4	1,4
Total	27.834	28.578	28.357	5,2	5,3	5,3	1,3	1,4	1,4

Education (primary, secondary), vocational education and training, special education

Annual expenditure by educational institutions

	DKK millions, 2017-price and wage level	Percentage of total public expenditure	Percentage of gross national product
	2011	2012	2013	2011	2012	2013	2011	2012	2013
Pre-primary education	27.380	24.640	26.238	5,1	4,6	4,9	1,3	1,2	1,2
Primary education	38.895	44.069	43.230	7,2	8,2	8,1	1,9	2,1	2,1
Lower secondary education	23.305	23.796	23.283	4,3	4,4	4,4	1,1	1,1	1,1
Upper secondary education	36.418	32.502	33.058	6,8	6,1	6,2	1,8	1,6	1,6
All tertiary education	48.597	n/a	46.742	9,1	n/a	8,8	2,3	n/a	2,2
Primary to tertiary education	174.594	n/a	172.551	32,5	n/a	32,4	8,4	n/a	8,2

Sources : Education at a Glance 2014 (2011-data), Education at a Glance 2015 (2012-data), Education at a Glance 2016 (2013-data).

Child protection measures, including the prevention of violence, child labour and sexual exploitation, and rehabilitation programmes

Total net public expenditure on vulnerable children and young people

	DKK millions, 2017-price and wage level	Percentage of total public expenditure	Percentage of gross national product
	2014	2015	2016	2014	2015	2016	2014	2015	2016
Special day-care and special club facilities (for children with disabilities)	999	920	891	0,2	0,2	0,2	0,0	0,0	0,0
Foster homes (family) and privately run institutions	6.312	6.358	6.379	1,2	1,2	1,2	0,3	0,3	0,3
Preventive measures	4.600	5.103	5.370	0,9	0,9	1,0	0,2	0,2	0,3
Residential institutions (publicly owned)	3.101	2.895	2.762	0,6	0,5	0,5	0,1	0,1	0,1
Secure residential institutions	313	325	301	0,1	0,1	0,1	0,0	0,0	0,0
Total	15.325	15.602	15.703	2,9	2,9	2,9	0,7	0,7	0,7

Child protection measures, including the prevention of violence, child labour and sexual exploitation, and rehabilitation programmes

	DKK millions, 2017-price and wage level	Percentage of total public expenditure	Percentage of gross national product
	2014	2015	2016	2014	2015	2016	2014	2015	2016
Children ’ s officers (who are to focus on e.g. children visiting in prison)	4	4	4	0,0	0,0	0,0	0,0	0,0	0,0
Family house attached to Engelsborg Halfway House	3	3	3	0,0	0,0	0,0	0,0	0,0	0,0
Special unit for young offenders in Jyderup State Prison	6	6	6	0,0	0,0	0,0	0,0	0,0	0,0
Family house attached to Hammer Bakker Halfway House	-	3	3	0,0	0,0	0,0	0,0	0,0	0,0
Total	13	17	16	0,0	0,0	0,0	0,0	0,0	0,0

Greenland

Total budgeted costs (MDDK) concerning children and adolescents in the municipalities and the Greenlandic Self-Government within social affairs and education

Total costs	2015
Municipalities	1,670.1
Self-Government – social affairs	293,2
Self-Government – education	643,2
Total	2,606.5

Note: The budgeted costs represent an estimate and are subject to some uncertainty.

Para. 15(a)

Denmark

In 2013 2.5 per cent of children in Denmark lived in families with relatively low income according to the OECD. This is the lowest share among the OECD-countries.

Statistics are not available on children living in poverty as Denmark does not have an official poverty threshold.

Number of children living in families in the low income group

Year	2012	2013	2014
Number of children	51 438	51 141	53 457

In 2014, 59 per cent of children living in families in the low income group lived in families with two adults, while 41 per cent lived in single adult families. Sixty four per cent of these children were of Danish origin, while 36 per cent were of foreign origin. In 2014, 40 per cent of persons within the low income group were students.

Greenland

The income statistics by Statistics Greenland (2015) show that the income of house-holds with children is more evenly distributed than is the case for the income distribution as a whole. In 2015 the overall Gini coefficient was around 33.8 for Greenland as a whole and around 29.1 for households with children in Greenland.

The income statistics by Statistics Greenland (2015) shows that in 2015 the at-risk-of-poverty rate (ROP) on ROP40, ROP50 and ROP60 were 5.0 per cent, 9.6 per cent and 16.2 per cent, respectively, for the entire population, while the figures for children alone were 4.1 per cent, 8.6 per cent and 16.2 per cent, respectively.

Para. 15(b)

The number of unaccompanied minors seeking asylum in Denmark reached a record high level of 2144 in 2015. In the following year the figure decreased to 1,184 which was a high level compared to the total sum of asylum seekers in Denmark in 2016. For several years prior to 2013, the largest group of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers has been from Afghanistan, whereas the largest group in 2014 was from Syria. In 2016, the three largest groups of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers were from Afghanistan, Morocco and Eritrea.

The two tables below regarding family reunification reflect both applications from children who apply for family reunification alone and applications from children who apply accompanied by a parent.

Number of unaccompanied minor asylum seekers in 2014, 2015, and 2016 by application year and top 3 largest nationalities for each year

Year	1.	2.	3.	All nationalities
2014	Syria (248)	Eritrea (188)	Morocco (93)	818
2015	Afghanistan (844)	Syria (584)	Eritrea (168)	2,144
2016	Afghanistan (527)	Morocco (126)	Eritrea (121)	1,184

Total number of applications for family reunification for children, asylum-seeking children, and unaccompanied minor asylum seekers in 2014-2016 – by application year

	2014	2015	2016
Family reunification, children	5,437	7,914	3,136
Asylum-seeking children	2,122	4,108	1,020
Unaccompanied minor asylum seekers	818	2,144	1,184
Total	8,377	14,166	5,340

For further information please refer to section 2 of the annex.

Para. 15(c)

Denmark

The percentage of children aged 11, 13 and 15 who have tried to drink alcohol has dropped significantly since the end of the 1990s. The time of being drunk for the first time has furthermore been postponed.

Percentage of children who have tried alcohol

Age/year	1998	2014
Children aged 13 years	Boys: 86 %	Girls: 85 %	Boys: 36 %	Girls: 32 %
Children aged 15 years	95 %	Boys: 77 %	Girls: 74 %

Percentage of children aged 15 who have never been drunk

Age/year	2010	2014
Children aged 15 years	28 %	Boys: 43 %	Girls: 37 %

Percentage of children aged 15-16 who have used substances

Substance/year	1995	1999	2003	2007	2011	2015
Cannabis [tried at least once]	18 %	24.4 %	22.6 %	22.5 %	18,1 %	12.4 %
Cannabis [used during the previous month]	6.1 %	8.1 %	7,6 %	10.6 %	6.2 %	4.9 %
Amphetamine [tried at least once]	1.6 %	4.0 %	4.0 %	5.0 %	2.5 %	0,9 %
Cocaine [tried at least once]	0.3 %	1.1 %	1.8 %	3.2 %	1.9 %	1.8 %
Heroin (injection) [tried at least once]	0.2 %	0.1 %	0.7 %	0.5 %	-	0.6 %
Heroin (smoke) [tried at least once)	1.5 %	1.3 %	1.0 %	-	-	-
Ecstasy [tried at least once]	0.5 %	3.1 %	2.5 %	5.2 %	1.5 %	0.5 %
LSD [tried at least once]	0.2 %	1.0 %	1.1 %	1.1 %	0.7 %	1.2 %
Psilocybin mushrooms [tried at least once]	0.5 %	1.8 %	1.5 %	1.1 %	0.7%	0.5 %
Sniffing [tried at least once]	6.3 %	7.5 %	8.3 %	6.1 %	3.9 %	3.6 %

Use of substances by students aged 15-16

For further information please refer to section 3 of the annex.

Greenland

In Greenland the Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC) survey is conducted every four years. The latest survey was conducted in 2014. The information regarding children and adolescents who abuse substances and alcohol is by default based on results from the 2014 HBSC survey.

For further information please refer to section 4 of the annex.

Para. 15(d)

Denmark

Involuntary admission of children under the age of 18

Year	2014	2015
Number of commenced involuntary admissions	226	286
Number of children involuntary admitted	134	115

Involuntary treatment of children under the age of 18

Year	2014	2015
Number of children affected by one or more involuntary treatment	293	297
Total share of children under the age of 18 affected by one or more involuntary treatments in proportion to children admitted in psychiatric institutions	18.7	18.6
Number of children under the age of 18 affected by one or more involuntary treatments pr. 100.000 inhabitants in region	25.0	25.5

Due to the changes in the Psychiatric Act it is now mandatory to report all interventions performed on children under the age of 15 to the Danish Health Authority regardless of consent from the parents. The change in reports of interventions performed on children under the age of 15 was implemented on 1 July 2015. The numbers for 2014 and 2015 in the tables above are hence not comparable.

Greenland

The number of cases of involuntary admission and treatment has been established for adolescents aged 13-17 years. Cases of involuntary admission and treatment have been grouped according to whether the adolescents were admitted on “red paper” or “yellow paper”. Red paper admissions are based on reasons of dangerousness, while yellow paper admissions are based on treatment reasons. The figures for 2017 represent the registered involuntary admissions made so far in 2017.

Number of involuntary admissions of adolescents below the age of 18

Admissions	2014	2015	2016	2017
Red paper	2	10	8	1
Yellow paper	0	2	1	1
Total	2	12	9	2

Source : Agency for Health and Prevention

Para. 16(a)

Denmark

By the end of 2015, 11,049 children were placed in care. 62 per cent of these children were living in foster homes and 33 per cent in institutional settings.

Greenland

Total number of children and adolescents living in care centres in 2016

	B	G	Total
24-hour care centre owned by the Self-Government	84	71	155
Private 24-hour care centre	30	20	50
Municipal 24-hour care centre	7	2	9
Total	121	93	214
Children on waiting list	5	8	13

Note : B = Boys and G = Girls.

Source : The Central Waiting List (or DCV), National Board of Social Services in Greenland

Total number of children and adolescents living in foster families in 2017

	Total
Qaasuitsup Municipality	88
Qeqqata Municipality	34
Sermersooq Municipality	138
Kujalleq Municipality	74
Total	334

Note : In some cases the table also includes adolescents above the age of 18.

Source : Qaasuitsup Municipality, Qeqqata Municipality, Sermersooq Municipality and Kujalleq Municipality

Please refer to section 5 of the annex for further information.

Para 16(b)

Number of cases concerning unaccompanied minor asylum seekers who have disappeared before their application for asylum has been finalized by the year of decision

Year	2014	2015	2016
Number of cases	119	313	544

Data for the period 2014-2016 are final based on administrative records from the electronic case and document handling system (ECDH). It should generally be noted that the figures are encumbered with uncertainty, since aliens systems are designed as record-case management systems and not as actual statistical systems.

Para. 16(c)

Denmark

The Children’s Houses collect nationwide data on children who receive support in the Children’s Houses because of sexual abuse. This data is disaggregated by age, sex and geographical location. However, it is not registered whether the victim is placed in care. Thus, there is no systematic data on this subject.

Greenland

No data are available on the sexual abuse of children placed into alternative-care.

Para. 17(a) and (b)

Denmark

No data are currently available on the number of children with disabilities living in institutions or who are abandoned by their families. Efforts are currently being made to start gathering statistics on children receiving social benefits including stays in institutional settings. It is estimated that approximately 20-25 per cent of the 11,049 children who were placed in care by the end of 2015 had a disability.

Greenland

It appears from the three tables below how many children with disabilities in 2014, 2015 and 2016 lived with their families and in institutions, respectively. The figures indicate home municipality, sex and year of birth.

Note : Columns in grey indicate that the year is not relevant to the survey in question, either because the year comes after the year of the survey, or because individuals born in the year in question are no longer below the age of 18 and therefore cannot be inclu ded in the category “ children ” .

Source : The tables are based on municipal surveys .

Para. 17(c)-(f)

Denmark

The requested information is unfortunately not available as students are not registered per disability.

Greenland

There are no available data for children with disabilities who attend municipal primary and lower secondary school or who are out of school. It is evident from the publication Municipal Primary and Lower Secondary School in Greenland 2016/17 (Folkeskolen i Grønland 2016/17) that 504 students in 2016 received extensive special needs education.

Number of students who received extensive special needs education in 2016
In special class	Individual instruction	Team teaching	Personal assistance	Total
366	31.5	96	10.5	504

Source : Municipal Primary and Lower Secondary School in Greenland 2016/17, National Board of Education, Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Church.

Data for 2015 are not available.

In 2014, 548 students received extensive special needs education.

Number of students who received extensive special needs education in 2014
In special class	Individual instruction	Team teaching	Personal assistance	Total
409	30	101	8	548

Source : Municipal Primary and Lower Secondary School in Greenland 2014/15, National Board of Education ( Inerisaavik ).

Para. 17(g)

Denmark

No data is available.

Greenland

This does not occur in Greenland.

Para. 18

Please refer to section 6 of the annex.

Para. 19

Greenland

With regard to social affairs, the main goal of the Greenlandic Government is to ensure that children and young people in Greenland feel secure and are mentally and physically healthy. The Greenlandic Government thus makes an effort to improve the social care conditions and to ensure that Greenland observes the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. This effort covers three focus areas:

•First, the number of children placed in alternative-care must be reduced

•Second, the authorities must in their work adopt a holistic approach to the family and the overall situation of the family

•Third, high priority must be given to early and preventive measures, ensuring that action is taken in time in relation to incipient issues which may have consequences for the child or young person.

In order to realise the three focus areas, the Government has launched the following initiatives:

•Structural frameworks — A new children and young people bill will be presented at the 2017 Spring Assembly in the parliament

•Organization and monitoring — In 2017 a National Board of Social Services has been established to support the municipalities, among other things, within the development of social work methods and offers, the development of supportive systems and processes, monitoring of social affairs and knowledge sharing. In addition, the National Board of Social Services will be responsible for running the self-rule owned 24-hour care centres and for strengthening this area in general

•Development of tools and methods for supporting the municipalities and necessary early action — In 2016 the Government produced a report on indicative case figures for children and young people affairs in the municipalities. The report suggests that indicative case figures for children and young people affairs will be implemented in selected towns initially, which will function as pilot towns. Efforts to implement the method Family Deliberations (Familierådslagning) in all Greenlandic towns will continue. A strategy regarding foster care and a strategy regarding vulnerable children and adolescents will be produced

•Training of staff within social affairs — A study programme for counselling assistants and a central programme for social workers have been established to increase the number of trained case workers within social affairs. In addition, a programme for supervisors, a study programme for psychotherapists, a diploma programme for pedagogues employed in 24-hour care centres and a credit-awarding training programme for unskilled staff in 24-hour care centres have been created.