Denmark closes its doors to Ukrainian men of military age

Denmark has announced that it will not grant asylum to Ukrainian men between the ages of 23 and 60. This was reported by the Kyiv Independent.

The change in Danish law means that men who fall under Ukraine’s mobilization rules will no longer be able to obtain a residence permit in Denmark. The decision came against the backdrop of the European Union’s review of the temporary protection measures granted to Ukrainians since 2022.

At the same time, according to a Danish government press release, 47,600 Ukrainians already residing in Denmark will be allowed to stay — even if they fall under the mobilization criteria. Men who are exempt from military service will also continue to be eligible for protection.

A number of EU countries are considering national laws aimed at restricting temporary protection for the 4 million Ukrainian refugees living across Europe.

Copenhagen’s actions have already drawn criticism from Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty, who described them as “an example of a broader trend toward restricting protection for the 4.3 million Ukrainians currently displaced in Europe.”

“Issues related to conscription, including conscientious objection, may constitute grounds for legitimate protection claims,” O’Flaherty said, warning that the widespread restriction of protection rights for Ukrainian men risks becoming a violation of human rights.

It was previously reported that the European Commission is due to present a proposal to extend temporary protection for Ukrainians. During preliminary discussions, it was proposed that the future extension of the status not apply to new male applicants of military age who arrive in the EU after the new rules come into force.