The Danish government put advertisements in a series of newspapers in Lebanon announcing stricter regulations for potential refugees, discouraging newcomers from coming to Denmark.
The ads were published on Monday. The new measures, among other things, include the reduction of social assistance by up to 50 percent and the ability to speak and understand the Danish language to obtain a permanent residence permit in Denmark.
Denmark trying to scare off would-be migrants with these ads in #Lebanon media: pic.twitter.com/8uQasJJBF6
— Sara Hussein (@sarahussein) 7 сентября 2015
"We simply cannot keep up with the current influx," Danish Integration Minister Inger Stojberg said on her Facebook account. The post has already received almost 8,000 "likes" since its publication two days ago.
People went on social media to share their opinions on the issue. There were both supportive messages, fueled with racism and xenophobia, as well as those condemning the Danish government.
I want to apoligize not all are like #IngerStøjberg #refugeeswelcome in Denmark!
— Louise E Thomsen (@LeThomsen) 7 сентября 2015
This man stands on a bridge by the Danish city of Rödby and spits on passing by Syrian #refugees #Denmark #antifa pic.twitter.com/8T9rk9ZS1A
— Souidos (@Souidos) 8 сентября 2015
In April Denmark was listed as the 3rd happiest place to live in the world. They forgot to mention mean & selfish. Blocking #SyrianRefugees
— eqnyc (@eatquestnyc) 8 сентября 2015
There is another voice in Denmark #solidarity #rødby #refugeeswelcome #SyrianRefugees #eupol pic.twitter.com/nNF1koY31U
— Theis Lykkegaard (@TheisLyk) 8 сентября 2015
According to the UN, a total of 348,540 Syrians applied for refugee status in Europe by July 2015. These numbers have probably increased significantly amidst the ongoing refugee crisis in Europe.
Meanwhile, more than 4 million Syrians are currently in Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Egypt. Another 7.6 million people are displaced internally in Syria.
