ÿWPC¯ ®¯«Ÿ6Ýæã*îìŒÈäõ¢m¹­™R6ùi°õå³M¥@ý¬±½ª‚z"i">®["­ŽëNÆ¡Á›9ö›YÊÔÄÞ-–U”ò“¶‡IY)FA›’êÊ?$VoŸÂÓÓ\vÞXÒ~#e†W…ê ì&ç*¬™|è^ ´×ϰÎgXºt—ÕúY;;^n¼pž‘À;hUÝEì¸{ýfôV|ÔÎêqsŽãM[˜º‹fn¡üÿ‚ †$–oCWm;U C$‰ìî£aøô˜´ÊöfuêO“çHk-÷‰¥N¿»mê9ïgâ[MJ.•½BÉ8¡ý1Æþ bäØG–cµõ~÷<‰[îq¯YéF9X«`o4™åÕ`à“wÚösb|qlÇÕ;EtƇöÕ|X«bÛ^®Ë¥ƒRlªº¾H¨»¾Ûrñ59J_îð€ ¿úNá8ÂÍàøzzª©_%Œ§pâà÷üg2õ¼k·É ³}÷¯ÈOè0dNbÖù}˜2= Æ¡'Çí¡k[ F9`ÚÌÛA'稀{¶G8“xr„)È”{Üó%PFà[ræ¿wdI ­³5Wqƹ)k¢´/.ÅLþæiÙ>”ø,LÊçy ¥6#ÉôUN½ %  0:NK^ MwY4]q€ m‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚‚f™a›˜Samsung ML-2010 Series (Copy 1)ÈÈÈÈÈÈÈÈ0(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX(ö\$¡¡ÔCEUS.,ÔÏ::5 ’˜G97’2Backup3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀTable_DÝ ƒö\!ÝÔCEUS.,ÔÝ  ÝÔ_Ôò òÔ‡¼´à»XXÔÓ  ÓÔUSCE.,ÔDENMARKó óÔ#†XøìX»¼´à@#ÔÐ ° ÐÓ_ÓÓÓÌò òFollow-up€-€State€ReportingÐ ° Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ô_ÔiÔ_Ô)€Action€by€Treaty€BodyÐ œì ÐÌÔ_ÔCERDÔ_Ô,€A/62/18€(2007)ó óÐ t Ä ÐÌò òAnnex€IVó óÐ L œ ÐÌOVERVIEW€OF€INFORMATION€PROVIDED€BY€STATES€PARTIES€ON€THEÐ $ t  ÐIMPLEMENTATION€OF€THE€CONCLUDING€OBSERVATIONSÐ `  ÐÌ...Ð è8  Ðò òSixty„ninth€session€(31€July„18€August€2006)€„€Ð Ô$  ÐFollow„up€reports€due€by€18€August€2007à À àó óÐ À  ÐÌÔ*ƒƒ45 Üddd Xdd Xdd X°(#°(#ƒÔÔ,Å55ÔÔ,þ 55ÔÔ,° 55ÔÔ+  ÔÐ 1'˜è˜è € €‚‚ƒžƒ„„1ÐòòState€partyóóÐ  ˜è „„ÐòòDate€of€receipt€of€follow„up€reportÐ  ˜è „„ÐSession€at€which€follow„upÐ ˜è Ðreport€was€discussedóóÐ -#„Ô ž €€‚‚ƒžƒ-Ð...Ð  ^ ÐÐ  ^ ÐÐ 6,^ ž  €€‚‚ƒžƒ„„6ÐDenmarkÐ  ˜è „„ÐReport€not€receivedÐ  ˜è „„ÐÐ -#˜è ž  €€‚‚ƒžƒ-Ð...Ð  "r ÐÐ  "r ÐÐ$"r ž   $ÐÔCE.,US.,kÔÔUSCE.,Ôò òÐ  ¬ü ÐÔCE.,US.,gÔÔ_ÔCERDÔ_Ô,€A/63/18€(2008)ó óÐ ° ÐÌ...Ð ˆØ ÐÌò òÓÏÓÓ  ÓCHAPTER€IV.€€€FOLLOW-UP€TO€THE€CONSIDERATION€OF€REPORTS€SUBMITTEDÐ `° ÐBY€STATES€PARTIES€UNDER€ARTICLE€9€OF€THE€CONVENTIONó óÐ L œ ÐÌ...Ð $ t ÐÌ520.à  àAt€the€1878th€meeting€(seventy-second€session)€and€the€1897th€meeting€(seventy-thirdÐ ü L  Ðsession),€held€on€5€March€and€13€August€2008€respectively,€the€coordinator€on€follow-up€presentedÐ è 8  Ða€report€on€his€activities€to€the€Committee.Ð Ô$  ÐÌ521.à  àBetween€17€August€2007€and€15€August€2008,€follow-up€reports€on€the€implementation€ofÐ ¬ü  Ðrecommendations€regarding€which€the€Committee€had€requested€information€were€received€from€theÐ ˜è  Ðfollowing€States€parties:€Bosnia€and€Herzegovina€(Ô_ÔCERDÔ_Ô/C/Ô_ÔBIHÔ_Ô/CO/6/Add.1),€DenmarkÐ „Ô  Ð(Ô_ÔCERDÔ_Ô/C/DEN/CO/17/Add.1),€Guyana€(Ô_ÔCERDÔ_Ô/C/GUY/CO/14/Add.1),€IsraelÐ pÀ Ð(Ô_ÔCERDÔ_Ô/C/Ô_ÔISRÔ_Ô/CO/13/Add.1),€Liechtenstein€(Ô_ÔCERDÔ_Ô/C/LIE/CO/3/Add.1)€and€TurkmenistanÐ \¬ Ð(Ô_ÔCERDÔ_Ô/C/Ô_ÔTKMÔ_Ô/CO/5/Add.1).Ð H˜ ÐÌ522.à  àAt€its€seventy-second€and€seventy-third€sessions,€the€Committee€considered€the€follow-upÐ  p Ðreports€of€Denmark,€Guatemala,€Guyana,€Liechtenstein,€Mexico,€Norway,€Turkmenistan,€UkraineÐ  \ Ðand€Uzbekistan,€and€continued€the€constructive€dialogue€with€these€States€parties€by€sending€themÐ øH Ðletters€with€comments€and€requests€for€further€information.Ð ä4 ÐÌÌÓ$ÓÔUSCE.,Ôò òÐ  ¨ø ÐÌ€€€€€€€€€€€ii)€Action€by€State€Partyó óÐ œì ÐÔCE.,US.,=ÔÌò òÔ_ÔCERDÔ_Ô,€Ô_ÔCERDÔ_Ô/C/DEN/CO/17/Add.1€(2007)ó óÐ tÄ ÐÌò òInformation€provided€by€the€Government€of€Denmark€on€the€implementation€of€theÐ L œ Ðconcluding€observations€of€the€Committee€on€the€Elimination€of€Racial€DiscriminationÐ 8 ˆ ÐÌó ó[24€August€2007]Ð  ` ÐÓ  ÓÌò òResponse€from€the€Government€of€Denmark€to€the€concluding€observations€of€the€CommitteeÐ è 8  Ðon€the€Elimination€of€Racial€Discriminationó óÐ Ô$  ÐÌ1.à  àIn€its€concluding€observations€of€19€October€2006€(Ô_ÔCERDÔ_Ô/C/DEN/CO/17)€following€theÐ ¬ü  Ðsubmission€of€the€sixteenth€and€seventeenth€periodic€reports€of€Denmark€in€June€2005Ð ˜è  Ð(Ô_ÔCERDÔ_Ô/C/496/Add.1),€the€Committee€on€the€Elimination€of€Racial€Discrimination€requested€theÐ „Ô  ÐDanish€Government€to€provide€information€on€the€way€it€has€followed€up€on€the€CommitteeððsÐ pÀ Ðrecommendations€contained€in€paragraphs€11,€13€and€15€within€one€year.€Ð \¬ ÐÌ2.à  àThe€Danish€Government€is€pleased€to€provide€the€following€information.Ð 4„ ÐÌò òFollow€up€to€the€recommendation€contained€in€paragraph€11€of€the€Committeeððs€concludingÐ  \ Ðobservationsó óÐ øH ÐÌ3.à  àThe€Government€has€taken€note€of€the€concerns€as€well€as€the€recommendation€of€theÐ Ð  ÐCommittee€regarding€racially€motivated€offences€and€hate€speech.€As€to€the€reluctance€of€the€policeÐ ¼  Ðto€bring€charges€under€article€266€b€of€the€Danish€Criminal€Code€the€Government€would€like€to€drawÐ ¨ø Ðthe€attention€of€the€Committee€to€the€fact€that€section€266€b€in€the€Danish€Criminal€Code€isÐ ”ä Ðinterpreted€in€accordance€with€article€10€of€the€Convention€for€the€Protection€of€Human€Rights€andÐ €Ð ÐFundamental€Freedoms€(ð ðthe€European€Convention€on€Human€Rightsðð)€and€the€case-law€of€theÐ l¼ ÐEuropean€Court€of€Human€Rights.€According€to€this€case€law,€freedom€of€expression€constitutes€oneÐ X ¨ Ðof€the€essential€foundations€of€a€democratic€society€and€one€of€the€basic€conditions€for€its€progressÐ D!” Ðand€for€individual€self-fulfilment.Ð 0"€  ЀÌ4.à  àThe€Director€of€Public€Prosecutions€is€notified€of€all€complaints€regarding€section€266€b€ofÐ $X" Ðthe€Danish€Criminal€Code€(as€per€Instruction€No.€4/1995).€The€question€of€prosecution€isÐ ô$D # Ðfurthermore€decided€by€the€Director€of€Public€Prosecution€to€ensure€uniform€prosecution€in€casesÐ à%0!$ Ðregarding€section€266€b€of€the€Danish€Criminal€Code.€The€Director€of€Public€Prosecution€bringsÐ Ì&"% Ðcharges€for€violations€of€section€266€b€of€the€Danish€Criminal€Code€when€there€is€sufficient€basisÐ ¸'#& Ðfor€a€charge.€According€to€the€principle€of€objectivity€of€the€Prosecution€Service,€the€prosecutor€hasÐ ¤(ô#' Ðto€make€sure,€however,€that€the€person€liable€to€punishment€is€held€responsible,€but€also€that€noÐ )à$( Ðinnocent€persons€are€prosecuted.€Ð |*Ì%) ЀÌ5.à  àAs€to€other€racially€motivated€offences,€it€is€considered€to€be€an€aggravating€circumstanceÐ T,¤'+ Ðwhen€a€given€offence€is€based€on€the€other€personððs€ethnic€origin,€faith,€sexual€orientation€or€the€likeÐ @-(, ÐÔ_Ô(Danish€Criminal€Code€section€81€(6)).Ð ° ÐÌ6.à  àThe€Government€is€hopeful€that€the€Committee€finds€these€explanatory€remarks€andÐ ˆØ Ðcomments€useful€in€its€continued€work.Ð tÄ ÐÌò òFollow€up€to€the€recommendations€contained€in€paragraph€13€of€the€Committeeððs€concludingÐ L œ Ðobservations€ó óÐ 8 ˆ ÐÌò òThe€Refugee€Boardó óÐ  ` ÐÌ7.à  àThe€Government€has€taken€note€of€the€concerns€as€well€as€the€recommendation€of€theÐ è 8  ÐCommittee.€The€Government€would€like€to€take€this€opportunity€to€thoroughly€explain€the€DanishÐ Ô$  ÐImmigration€Authoritiesðð€handling€of€asylum€cases€in€order€to€show€that€the€existing€system€fullyÐ À  Ðensures€an€assessment€of€the€application,€in€conformity€with€Denmarkððs€international€obligations.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ8.à  àMost€asylum€cases€are€decided€according€to€the€so-called€ð ðnormal€procedureðð,€which€meansÐ „Ô  Ðthat€if€the€asylum€application€is€rejected,€the€case€is€automatically€referred€to€the€Refugee€Board,Ð pÀ Ðwhich€will€deliver€a€final€decision€in€the€case.Ð \¬ ÐÌ9.à  àIt€is€very€important€to€take€into€account€that€the€Refugee€Board€is€an€independent,€court-likeÐ 4„ Ðbody€consisting€of€three€members.€The€chairman€must€be€an€appointed€judge.€The€other€twoÐ  p Ðmembers€are€appointed€by€the€council€of€the€Board€after€a€nomination€by€the€Ministry€for€Refugee,Ð  \ ÐImmigration€and€Integration€Affairs€and€the€Danish€Bar€and€Law€Society.Ð øH ÐÌ10.à  àThe€Government€is€of€the€opinion€that€the€right€for€asylum-seekers€to€have€their€caseÐ Ð  Ðexamined€by€the€Refugee€Board€constitutes€an€effective€remedy€of€the€decision€taken€on€theirÐ ¼  Ðapplication€for€asylum€and€emphasizes€the€court-like€nature€of€the€Board.€Ð ¨ø ÐÌ11.à  àWhen€the€Refugee€Board€verbally€handles€a€case,€the€asylum-seeker€will€normally€be€presentÐ €Ð Ðfor€the€hearing.€An€attorney€will€be€appointed€to€represent€the€applicantððs€interests.€The€RefugeeÐ l¼ ÐBoard€will€appoint€an€attorney,€though€the€asylum-seeker€also€has€the€option€to€choose€his€or€herÐ X ¨ Ðown€attorney.€The€State€will€pay€the€attorneyððs€fees.€Ð D!” ÐÌ12.à  àDecisions€by€the€Refugee€Board€are€final,€which€means€that€it€is€not€possible€to€appeal€theÐ #l! ÐBoardððs€decisions.€This€is€stated€by€law€and€confirmed€by€a€Supreme€Court€decision€of€16€JuneÐ $X" Ð1997.€The€Supreme€Court€attached€importance€to€the€fact€that€the€Refugee€Board€is€an€expert€boardÐ ô$D # Ðof€court-like€character.€The€Supreme€Court€has€since€repeated€this€position€in€several€otherÐ à%0!$ Ðjudgements.€However,€the€national€Danish€Courts€can€still€contest€procedural€matters.€Ð Ì&"% ÐÌ13.à  àThe€Government€would€like€to€underline€that€the€right€for€asylum-seekers€to€have€their€caseÐ ¤(ô#' Ðexamined€by€the€Refugee€Board€provides€them€with€an€easy€and€automatic€way€to€have€a€negativeÐ )à$( Ðadministrative€decision€brought€before€a€court-like€body.€Ð |*Ì%) ÐÌ14.à  àThe€Refugee€Board€guarantees€that€third-country€nationals€submitting€an€application€forÐ T,¤'+ Ðasylum€in€Denmark€receive€a€thorough€and€fully€adequate€examination€of€their€asylum€applicationÐ @-(, Ðin€terms€of€due€process.€Ð ° ÐÌ15.à  àMoreover,€the€Refugee€Board€is€a€professional€body€with€a€high€degree€of€legal€expertise,Ð ˆØ Ðincluding€expertise€in€the€fields€of€immigration€and€asylum€law.Ð tÄ ÐÌ16.à  àThe€Government€is€hopeful€that€the€Committee€finds€these€explanatory€remarks€andÐ L œ Ðcomments€useful€in€its€continued€work.Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌò òAccommodation€centres€for€asylum-seekersÐ  ` Ðó óÌ17.à  àThe€Government€has€taken€note€of€the€concerns€as€well€as€the€recommendation€of€theÐ è 8  ÐCommittee€in€relation€to€centres€for€asylum-seekers.€The€Government€agrees€that€asylum-seekersÐ Ô$  Ðshall€not€remain€in€the€asylum€centres€for€several€years.€Consequently,€the€Government€has€madeÐ À  Ða€serious€effort€to€reduce€the€time€for€procedures€in€asylum€cases.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ18.à  àThe€Government€would€like€to€stress€that€all€newly€arrived€asylum-seeking€children€aged€7Ð „Ô  Ðto€16€years€are€offered€a€six-week€welcoming€course,€which€entails€a€20-hour€programme€consistingÐ pÀ Ðof€lessons€in€Danish,€mathematics€as€well€as€creative€lessons.€When€the€families€are€moved€toÐ \¬ Ðaccommodation€centres,€the€children€are€able€to€continue€receiving€lessons.€From€this€point€on,€aÐ H˜ Ðlevel€of€instruction€that€generally€equals€the€special€classes€in€the€Danish€public€school€for€bilingualÐ 4„ Ðstudents€who€do€not€know€enough€Danish€to€participate€in€the€ordinary€education,€is€provided.Ð  p ÐÌ19.à  àThe€Government€has€in€this€relation€taken€note€of€a€study€undertaken€by€the€Danish€NationalÐ øH ÐInstitute€of€Social€Research€on€the€conditions€in€the€asylum€centres€in€Denmark€(ð ðLiving€conditionsÐ ä4 Ðfor€children€with€family€in€the€Danish€asylum€centresðð€published€in€October€2006).€The€studyÐ Ð  Ðconfirms€that€families€who€have€been€denied€asylum€and€refuse€to€depart€voluntarily€can€sufferÐ ¼  Ðduring€a€stay€of€long€duration€in€the€centres.€Ð ¨ø ÐÌ20.à  àThe€same€study,€however,€shows€that€the€facilities€for€education,€ð ðactivationðð€and€healthÐ €Ð Ðtreatment€are€good,€that€the€children€are€happy€about€the€education€and€ð ðactivationðð€activities,€andÐ l¼ Ðthat€health€treatment€is€of€the€same€standard€as€that€offered€to€children€outside€the€asylum€centres.Ð X ¨ ÐÌ21.à  àThe€Government€respectfully€asks€that€the€Committee€note,€that€the€study€was€conductedÐ 0"€  Ðduring€the€spring€of€2006€and€describes€the€situation€before€the€Government€implemented€a€seriesÐ #l! Ðof€improvements€in€relation€to€the€conditions€in€the€asylum€centres.€In€May€2006€the€GovernmentÐ $X" Ðallocated€37.6€million€DKK€to€the€improvement€of€the€conditions€in€the€asylum€centres,€especiallyÐ ô$D # Ðthe€conditions€for€families€with€children.€The€improvements€also€concern€rejected€asylum-seekersÐ à%0!$ Ðand€the€funds€also€cover€support€for€returned€asylum-seekers€in€their€respective€countries€of€origin.Ð Ì&"% ÐIn€2007€and€2008€respectively€47.3€and€44.5€million€DKK€have€been€allocated€to€continue€theÐ ¸'#& Ðinitiatives.Ð ¤(ô#' Ð22.à  à€Furthermore,€families€with€children€are€offered€two-room€accommodation€as€part€of€theÐ )à$( ÐGovernmentððs€efforts€to€create€the€best€possible€environment€for€children€in€asylum€centres.€Ð |*Ì%) ÐÌ23.à  àWhen€considering€the€situation€of€asylum-seekerððs€prolonged€stay€at€asylum€centres,€it€isÐ T,¤'+ Ðimportant€to€recall€that€if€an€asylum-seeker€is€denied€asylum,€it€is€his€or€her€duty€to€leave€the€country.Ð @-(, ÐIt€is€crucial€for€the€legitimacy€of€the€asylum€system€that€rejection€of€an€application€for€asylumÐ ° Ðactually€results€in€the€asylum-seeker€leaving€the€country.€The€Government€stands€firm€on€thisÐ œì Ðposition€as€it€rests€assured€that€all€rejected€asylum-seekers€in€Denmark€have€received€a€thoroughÐ ˆØ Ðtreatment€of€their€cases€by€the€authorities,€i.e.€the€Danish€Immigration€Service€and€the€RefugeeÐ tÄ ÐBoard,€fully€respecting€Denmarkððs€international€obligations.€Ð `° ÐÌ24.à  àTherefore,€the€Government€has€consistently€maintained€that€rejected€asylum-seekers€haveÐ 8 ˆ Ðan€obligation€to€leave€the€country€for€their€homeland€voluntarily,€in€cases€where€the€journey€homeÐ $ t Ðis€possible.€Ð  ` ÐÌ25.à  àIt€must€be€recalled€that€rejected€asylum-seekers€who€can€leave€Denmark€voluntarily€onlyÐ è 8  Ðreside€in€this€country€because€they€refuse€to€respect€a€decision€by€the€Danish€authorities€which€statesÐ Ô$  Ðthat€their€application€for€asylum€has€been€rejected€and€imposes€an€obligation€to€leave€the€country.€Ð À  ÐÌ26.à  àHowever,€in€order€to€improve€the€conditions€for€those€rejected€asylum-seekers€who€acquiesceÐ ˜è  Ðto€their€own€departure,€an€amendment€to€the€Aliens€Act€implemented€in€2006€(act€no.€301€of€19Ð „Ô  ÐApril€2006€(Bill€No.€L€94€of€30€November€2005)),€introduced€the€possibility€of€offering€courses€andÐ pÀ Ðð ðactivationðð€also€for€rejected€asylum-seekers.€The€Government€thereby€seeks€through€education€andÐ \¬ Ðð ðactivationðð€to€improve€the€living€conditions€at€the€accommodation€centres€for€those€rejectedÐ H˜ Ðasylum-seekers.€Furthermore,€the€education€offered€is€aimed€at€motivating€the€rejectedÐ 4„ Ðasylum-seekers€to€return€through€the€strengthening€of€personal€resources€and€qualifications€in€a€wayÐ  p Ðthat€should€ease€the€return€to€their€home€country.€The€2006€amendment€contains€a€more€generalÐ  \ Ðadjustment€of€the€courses€and€activities€offered€to€both€accepted€and€rejected€asylum-seekers,€as€wellÐ øH Ðas€to€the€rejected€asylum-seekers€who€acquiesce€to€their€own€departure€and€to€those€who€do€not.Ð ä4 ÐÌ27.à  àFurthermore,€the€Danish€Parliament€on€1€June€2007€passed€a€bill€proposed€by€theÐ ¼  ÐGovernment€which€entails€that€rejected€asylum-seekers€who€until€now€have€not€assisted€with€theirÐ ¨ø Ðdeparture€in€cases€where€voluntary€but€not€compulsory€departure€is€possible,€can€be€offered€aÐ ”ä Ðprogramme€-€an€upgrading€scheme€-€which€takes€place€partially€in€Denmark€and€partially€in€theÐ €Ð Ðhome€country.€The€upgrading€scheme€is€the€result€of€a€contract€made€between€the€rejectedÐ l¼ Ðasylum-seeker€and€the€Danish€Immigration€Service.€The€contract€obliges€the€Danish€ImmigrationÐ X ¨ ÐService€to€provide€the€upgrading€scheme,€and€the€rejected€asylum-seeker€to€contribute€to€his€or€herÐ D!” Ðreturn.€The€upgrading€scheme€consists€of€a€clarification€of€competences€and€education€andÐ 0"€  Ðð ðactivationðð€offers,€which€among€other€things€contain€a€training€period,€which€respects€theÐ #l! Ðindividualððs€prerequisites€and€is€aimed€at€helping€the€rejected€asylum€seeker€in€obtainingÐ $X" Ðemployment€in€the€home€country.€In€addition€to€the€upgrading€scheme,€economic€support€uponÐ ô$D # Ðreturn€to€the€home€country,€as€well€as€help€to€housing€and€employment€in€the€home€country,€isÐ à%0!$ Ðoffered.€As€mentioned€above,€the€rejected€asylum-seeker€must€in€return€agree€to€cooperate€with€hisÐ Ì&"% Ðor€her€departure€and€consequently€voluntarily€depart€Denmark.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌ28.à  àSpecific€criteria€apply€as€to€which€groups€of€rejected€asylum-seekers€can€enter€into€theÐ )à$( Ðcontract€with€the€Danish€Immigration€Service€in€order€to€be€offered€the€upgrading€scheme.€It€is€thus,Ð |*Ì%) Ðamong€other€things,€a€condition€that€bigger€supporting€projects€are€planned€or€initiated€as€part€of€theÐ h+¸&* Ðreconstruction€efforts€in€a€country€after€war.Ð T,¤'+ ÐÐ @-(, Ð29.à  àFor€practical€reasons€the€offer€is€at€first€made€to€rejected€Iraqi€asylum-seekers.€The€schemeÐ ° Ðwill€be€evaluated€by€1€May€2008.€If€the€scheme€fulfils€its€purpose€the€Minister€of€Refugee,Ð œì ÐImmigration€and€Integration€Affairs€can€extend€the€offer€to€other€groups€of€rejected€asylum-seekersÐ ˆØ Ðif€the€criteria€are€met.€Participation€in€the€scheme€is€completely€voluntary.Ð tÄ ÐÌ30.à  àIn€relation€to€the€Committeeððs€concern€for€the€transfer€of€asylum-seekersðð€families,€theÐ L œ ÐGovernment€can€inform€the€Committee€that€each€transfer€is€motivated€and€compliant€with€theÐ 8 ˆ Ðordinary€procedures€for€the€movement€of€asylum-seekers.€At€first,€when€asylum€seekers€enter€theÐ $ t Ðcountry€and€apply€for€asylum,€they€€are€usually€registered€at€Centre€Sandholm.€Then€the€asylumÐ  ` Ðseeker€is€transferred€to€an€accommodation€centre.€When€the€asylum€procedure€is€completed,€theÐ ü L  Ðasylum-seeker€who€has€been€granted€asylum€stays€at€the€accommodation€centre€until€he€or€she€isÐ è 8  Ðoffered€housing€in€the€receiving€municipality.€Asylum-seekers€who€do€not€receive€asylum€may€stayÐ Ô$  Ðin€the€accommodation€centre€if€they€agree€to€voluntary€return.€Asylum-seekers€who€do€not€agree€toÐ À  Ðvoluntary€return€are€transferred€to€a€deportation€centre.Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ31.à  àHowever,€some€asylum-seekers€moved€several€times€due€to€the€large€decline€in€the€numberÐ „Ô  Ðof€asylum-seekers,€which€made€it€necessary€to€close€some€centres.Ð pÀ ÐÌ32.à  àThe€Government€is€hopeful€that€the€Committee€finds€these€explanatory€remarks€andÐ H˜ Ðcomments€useful€in€its€continued€work.Ð 4„ ÐÌò òFollow€up€to€the€recommendations€contained€in€paragraph€15€of€the€Committeeððs€concludingÐ  \ Ðobservations€ó óÐ øH ÐÌ33.à  àThe€Government€has€taken€note€of€the€concerns€as€well€as€the€recommendation€of€theÐ Ð  ÐCommittee€regarding€the€Danish€legislation€on€family€reunification.€However,€the€DanishÐ ¼  ÐGovernment€is€of€the€opinion€that€the€Danish€rules€on€family€reunification€do€not€amount€toÐ ¨ø Ðunfounded€discrimination.Ð ”ä ÐÌ34.à  àIn€this€regard,€the€Government€would€like€to€stress,€that€it€considers€it€crucial€for€DenmarkÐ l¼ Ðto€comply€with€its€international€obligations,€including€the€International€Convention€on€theÐ X ¨ ÐElimination€of€all€forms€of€Racial€Discrimination,€the€European€Convention€on€Human€Rights€andÐ D!” Ðthe€1951€Convention€relating€to€the€Status€of€Refugees.€Therefore€the€Danish€Aliens€Act,€includingÐ 0"€  Ðits€rules€on€family€reunification,€has€been€developed€in€respect€of€these€obligations.€Ð #l! ÐÌ35.à  àThe€Government€would€like€to€take€this€opportunity€to€explain€in€further€detail€how€theÐ ô$D # Ðlegislation€provides€for€the€careful€consideration€of€international€obligations€(see€below).€InÐ à%0!$ Ðprocessing€applications€for€a€residence€permit€in€Denmark,€the€immigration€authorities€alwaysÐ Ì&"% Ðconsider€whether,€in€the€specific€case,€an€applicant€should€be€granted€a€residence€permit€despiteÐ ¸'#& Ðnon-fulfilment€of€one€or€more€of€the€statutory€conditions€of€the€Danish€Aliens€Act,€in€order€to€ensureÐ ¤(ô#' Ðcompliance€with€international€human€rights€obligations,€including€the€right€to€family€life.€Ð )à$( ÐÌ36.à  àFurthermore,€the€Government€requests€that€it€should€be€properly€noted€that€the€DanishÐ h+¸&* ÐGovernment€has€introduced€changes€in€the€rules€on€family€reunification€in€connection€with€theÐ T,¤'+ Ðdevelopment€of€a€strategy€to€improve€the€successful€integration€of€immigrants€-€both€newcomers€andÐ @-(, Ðalready€settled€migrants€-€into€the€Danish€society.€Ð ° ÐÌ37.à  àThe€Government€would€like€to€underline€the€fact€that€the€changes€they€introduced€in€theÐ ˆØ ÐAliens€Act€have€not€led€to€a€decrease€in€the€number€of€immigrants.€Rather€there€has€been€an€increaseÐ tÄ Ðof€immigrants€from€2001€to€2006.€The€majority€of€migrants€coming€to€Denmark€now€do€so€to€workÐ `° Ðor€study.€The€shift€is€obvious€from€the€statistics,€which€show€that€10,001€permits€for€work€or€studyÐ L œ Ðpurposes€and€20,403€permits€for€asylum€or€family€reunification€were€issued€in€2001.€In€2006,€28,448Ð 8 ˆ Ðpermits€for€work€or€study€purposes€and€5,293€for€asylum€and€family€reunification€were€issued.€Ð $ t ÐÌ38.à  àThe€Government€is€hopeful€that€the€Committee€finds€these€explanatory€remarks€andÐ ü L  Ðcomments€useful€in€its€continued€work.Ð è 8  ÐÌò òThe€24-year€rule€ó óÐ À  ÐÌ39.à  àThe€Government€has€taken€note€of€the€Committeeððs€concern€regarding€the€requirement€thatÐ ˜è  Ðboth€spouses€must€have€attained€the€age€of€24€to€be€eligible€for€family€reunification.€However,€theÐ „Ô  ÐGovernment€finds€that€the€age€limit€is€in€line€with€the€European€Convention€on€Human€Rights,Ð pÀ Ðarticle€8,€and€would€like€to€add€the€following:€€Ð \¬ ÐÌ40.à  àThe€Government€maintains€that€the€24-year€rule€is€necessary€to€prevent€young€people€fromÐ 4„ Ðbeing€forced€to€marry€or€entering€into€arranged€marriages€for€family€reunification€purposes.€TheÐ  p ÐGovernment€finds€the€24-year€rule€effective,€because€it€protects€young€people€against€entering€intoÐ  \ Ða€forced€marriage,€considering€that€the€older€the€person€the€better€s/he€can€withstand€pressure€fromÐ øH Ðhis/her€family€or€others.€Ð ä4 ÐÌ41.à  àThe€Government€agrees€with€the€Committee€that€measures€adopted€in€order€to€prevent€forcedÐ ¼  Ðmarriages€should€not€impact€disproportionately€on€the€rights€of€the€persons€belonging€to€ethnic€orÐ ¨ø Ðnational€minorities.€The€Government€would€like€to€stress€that€the€fulfilment€of€the€age€requirementÐ ”ä Ðis€demanded€of€both€Danish€nationals€and€non-nationals.€Ð €Ð ÐÌ42.à  àAdditionally€the€Government€finds€that€the€rule€promotes€better€integration,€because€itÐ X ¨ Ðcontributes€to€improved€opportunities€for€young€people€in€relation€to€education€and€work.€Ð D!” ÐÌ43.à  àHowever,€if€it€is€found€that€the€applicant€cannot€be€granted€family€reunification€€because€ofÐ #l! Ðthe€youth€of€at€least€one€of€the€spouses,€an€assessment€will€be€conducted€as€part€of€common€practiceÐ $X" Ðas€to€whether€there€are€circumstances€which€entail€that€the€applicant€must€be€granted€a€residenceÐ ô$D # Ðpermit€in€order€to€ensure€conformity€with€international€obligations€such€as€the€European€ConventionÐ à%0!$ Ðon€Human€Rights,€article€8,€and€other€relevant€international€instruments.€€€€Ð Ì&"% ÐÌ44.à  àIt€should€in€this€regard€be€noted€that€the€Danish€Government€has€included€a€reference€to€theÐ ¤(ô#' Ðright€to€family€unity€of€refugees€in€the€relevant€provision€of€the€2005€Aliens€Act.€The€referenceÐ )à$( Ðhereto€underlines€the€importance€of€respecting€family€unity€and€the€obligations€to€do€so€set€down€inÐ |*Ì%) Ðinternational€obligations.€The€reference€thereby€indicates€the€reasons,€which€allow€the€exemptionÐ h+¸&* Ðfrom€conditions€for€granting€a€residence€permit€for€the€purpose€of€family€reunification.€Ð T,¤'+ ÐÐ @-(, Ð45.à  àThe€Government€is€aware€of€the€fact€that€there€is€no€direct€statistical€evidence€of€anyÐ ° Ðcorrelation€between€the€introduction€of€the€age€limit€and€the€number€of€forced€marriages.€SuchÐ œì Ðstatistical€evidence€is€very€difficult€to€produce€due€to€the€obvious€difficulties€in€assessing€the€numberÐ ˆØ Ðof€forced€marriages.€Ð tÄ ÐÌ46.à  àHowever,€the€annual€statistical€report€concerning€foreigners€òòð ðTal€og€fakta€-Ð L œ Ðbefolkningsstatistik€om€udlndingeððóó,€published€by€the€Ministry€of€Refugee,€Immigration€andÐ 8 ˆ ÐIntegration€Affairs€on€18€June€2007€provides€strong€indications€of€the€age€limit€having€an€effect€onÐ $ t Ðmarriage€patterns€among€immigrants€and€descendants€from€non-western€countries:€Ð  ` ÐÌ€„à  àThe€report€shows€that€the€general€age€of€marriage€among€immigrants€and€descendants€fromÐ è 8  Ðnon-western€countries€has€increased€noticeably€from€2001€to€2006.Ð Ô$  ÐÌ€„à  àFurthermore,€the€report€shows€that€the€share€of€marriages€with€foreign€spouses€within€theÐ ¬ü  Ðgroup€of€immigrants€and€descendants€from€non-western€countries€living€in€Denmark€has€droppedÐ ˜è  Ðfrom€62.7€percent€in€2001€to€37.8€percent€in€2006.Ð „Ô  ÐÌ47.à  àForced€marriages€typically€involve€relatively€young€immigrants€or€descendants€fromÐ \¬ Ðnon-western€countries€and€foreign€spouses.€Thus,€the€changes€in€marriage€patterns,€described€in€theÐ H˜ Ðabove-mentioned€report,€may€indicate€that€the€number€of€forced€marriages€can€be€expected€toÐ 4„ Ðdecrease€as€a€result€of€the€age€limit.Ð  p ÐÌ48.à  àThe€Government€is€hopeful€that€the€Committee€finds€these€explanatory€remarks€andÐ øH Ðcomments€useful€in€its€continued€work.Ð ä4 ÐÌò òThe€28-year€ruleó óÐ ¼  ÐÌ49.à  àThe€Government€has€taken€note€of€the€Committeeððs€concern€regarding€the€28-yearÐ ”ä Ðexception-rule€to€ð ðthe€condition€of€tiesðð€also€known€as€the€attachment€to€Denmark€requirement.Ð €Ð ÐHowever,€the€Government€finds€that€the€28-year€rule€is€not€in€contradiction€with€the€principle€ofÐ l¼ Ðequality.Ð X ¨ ÐÌ50.à  àThe€28-year€rule€represents€an€objectively€based€deviation€from€the€condition€of€tiesÐ 0"€  Ðstipulated€by€the€Aliens€Act.€In€cases€where€the€person€who€wants€to€bring€his€or€her€spouse€toÐ #l! ÐDenmark€has€held€Danish€citizenship€for€28€years,€the€condition€of€ties€is€waived.€The€28-year€ruleÐ $X" Ðis,€in€other€words,€an€exception€to€the€condition€of€ties€and€reflects€a€standardized€assessment€of€ties.Ð ô$D # ÐThus,€a€person€who€has€been€a€Danish€national€for€28€years€will€normally€be€found€to€have€such€tiesÐ à%0!$ Ðwith€Denmark€that€it€is€possible€to€waive€the€condition€of€ties.€Hence,€there€are€objective€reasonsÐ Ì&"% Ðfor€the€differential€treatment€accorded€to€citizens€depending€on€the€length€of€their€citizenship.Ð ¸'#& ÐÌ51.à  àHowever,€in€order€to€ensure€equal€treatment€of€Danish€nationals€and€foreign€nationals€livingÐ )à$( Ðin€Denmark€in€comparable€situations,€the€legislation€specifies€that€an€exemption€from€the€conditionÐ |*Ì%) Ðof€ties€will€also€apply€to€persons€who€have€not€held€Danish€nationality€for€28€years,€but€were€bornÐ h+¸&* Ðand€grew€up€in€Denmark,€or€arrived€in€Denmark€as€small€children€and€grew€up€in€Denmark,€whenÐ T,¤'+ Ðthey€have€resided€lawfully€in€Denmark€for€28€years.€Ð @-(, Ї52.à  àThe€Government€is€hopeful€that€the€Committee€finds€these€explanatory€remarks€andÐ ° Ðcomments€useful€in€its€continued€work.Ð œì ÐÌò òThe€age€limit€of€15€for€family€reunification€with€childrenó óÐ tÄ ÐÌ53.à  àThe€Government€has€noted€the€concern€and€recommendation€of€the€Committee€concerningÐ L œ Ðfamily€reunification€for€children€between€15€and€18€years€of€age.€Ð 8 ˆ ÐÌ54.à  àThe€Government€would€like€to€take€this€opportunity€to€stress,€that€children€between€15€andÐ  ` Ð18€years€of€age€are€not€barred€in€general€terms€from€applying€for€family€reunification.€TheÐ ü L  Ðimmigration€authorities€thus€examine€all€applications€for€family€reunification€with€children.€TheÐ è 8  Ðlowering€of€the€age€limit€from€18€to€15€years€merely€means€that€children€between€15€and€18€do€notÐ Ô$  Ðhave€a€statutory€right€to€family€reunification.€The€rule€is€no€expression€of€a€prohibition€againstÐ À  Ðresidence€permits€for€these€children.€Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ55.à  àThe€Government€believes€that€the€best€interests€of€the€child€must€be€the€primaryÐ „Ô  Ðconsideration€in€all€matters€affecting€the€child.€The€very€reason€for€reducing€the€age€limit€to€15€yearsÐ pÀ Ðwas,€in€fact,€consideration€of€the€best€interests€of€the€child.€Ð \¬ ÐÌ56.à  àThe€Government€would€like€to€inform€the€Committee,€that€with€the€amendment€of€the€ageÐ 4„ Ðrequirement,€the€Government€wants€to€encourage€parents€living€in€Denmark€to€apply€for€familyÐ  p Ðreunification€with€their€children€as€soon€as€possible€to€allow€the€family€a€life€together.€ExamplesÐ  \ Ðwere€seen€of€parents€letting€their€children€stay€in€their€country€of€origin€until€they€were€almost€18Ð øH Ðyears€old,€either€with€one€of€the€parents€or€with€other€family€members,€in€order€to€give€the€child€anÐ ä4 Ðupbringing€in€accordance€with€the€culture€of€their€country€of€origin.€Out€of€consideration€for€theÐ Ð  Ðchild€and€for€purposes€of€integration,€a€child€who€is€to€live€the€rest€of€its€life€in€Denmark€shouldÐ ¼  Ðspend€its€childhood€in€Denmark€and€not€in€the€parentsðð€country€of€origin.€Ð ¨ø ÐÌ57.à  àThe€amendment€additionally€aims€at€preventing€children€from€being€sent€on€re-educationÐ €Ð Ðjourneys€to€the€parentsðð€countries€of€origin€and€thus€being€separated€from€their€parents€living€inÐ l¼ ÐDenmark.€Ð X ¨ ÐÌ58.à  àIn€connection€with€the€preparation€of€the€relevant€amendment€of€the€age€limit€for€familyÐ 0"€  Ðreunification€with€children,€the€Government€carefully€assessed€the€international€obligations€relevantÐ #l! Ðfor€this€area.€The€Government€concluded€that€the€Convention€on€the€Rights€of€the€Child€does€notÐ $X" Ðautomatically€confer€a€right€to€family€reunification€on€children€below€the€age€of€18€and€thereforeÐ ô$D # Ðfinds€no€reason€to€change€the€legislation€in€this€area.€Ð à%0!$ ÐÌ59.à  àFurthermore,€the€Government€found€that€it€can€be€derived€from€the€existing€case€law€fromÐ ¸'#& Ðthe€European€Court€of€Human€Rights€€regarding€article€8€of€the€European€Convention€of€HumanÐ ¤(ô#' ÐRights€in€relation€to€family€reunification€with€children€that€according€to€article€8€of€the€EuropeanÐ )à$( ÐConvention€of€Human€Rights,€families€do€not€have€an€immediate€right€to€choose€the€country€whereÐ |*Ì%) Ðthey€wish€to€practice€their€family€life€and€that€in€each€case€where€a€child€applies€for€familyÐ h+¸&* Ðreunification€with€parents€residing€in€Denmark,€a€concrete€assessment€must€be€made€as€to€whetherÐ T,¤'+ Ðit€is€proportionate€to€dismiss€an€application€for€residence€permit.€Ð @-(, Ї60.à  àIn€cases€where€at€the€time€of€application,€the€child€has€been€separated€for€a€period€of€timeÐ ° Ðfrom€the€parent€resident€in€Denmark,€the€Government€finds€that€it€can€be€derived€from€the€case€lawÐ œì Ðof€the€European€Court€of€Human€Rights€that€in€applying€the€proportionality€assessment,€emphasisÐ ˆØ Ðmust€in€particular€be€placed€on€the€reason€for€the€separation€of€the€family€in€case€concerned.€If€theÐ tÄ Ðseparation€is€due€to€the€parent€residing€in€Denmark€having€chosen€to€leave€the€child€in€the€homeÐ `° Ðcountry€and€seek€a€residence€permit€in€the€State€of€residence,€this€condition€will€weigh€greatly€inÐ L œ Ðdisfavour€of€granting€the€right€to€family€reunification.€This€will€be€even€more€the€case€if€aÐ 8 ˆ Ðconsiderable€time€has€passed€since€the€entry€into€Denmark€of€the€parent€residing€in€Denmark€andÐ $ t Ðuntil€family€reunification€is€applied€for.€Ð  ` ÐÌ61.à  àIn€addition,€when€carrying€out€the€proportionality€assessment,€emphasis€will€amongst€otherÐ è 8  Ðfactors€be€placed€upon€the€applicantððs€cultural,€linguistic€and€family€ties€to€the€country€of€origin,€theÐ Ô$  Ðapplicantððs€age,€and€whether€there€are€substantial€barriers€to€practicing€family€life€in€the€country€ofÐ À  Ðorigin€and/or€maintaining€family€life€through€visiting€stays.€€Ð ¬ü  ÐÌ62.à  àIn€every€case,€concerning€an€application€for€family€reunification€from€a€child,€the€DanishÐ „Ô  Ðimmigration€authorities€will€conduct€an€assessment€of€whether€special€reasons€are€present€that€renderÐ pÀ Ðit€necessary€to€grant€permission€to€family€reunification€of€a€child€in€Denmark,€even€though€the€childÐ \¬ Ðdoes€not€fulfil€the€condition€that€it€should€be€under€the€age€of€15€at€the€time€of€application.€Ð H˜ ÐÌ63.à  àIn€cases€where€denial€of€family€reunification€would€be€in€conflict€with€the€internationalÐ  p Ðobligations€of€Denmark€and€family€reunification€cannot€be€granted€according€to€the€Aliens€actÐ  \ Ðsection€9€(1)€(2),€a€residence€permit€will€thus€be€issued€according€to€section€9€(c)€(1)€of€the€AliensÐ øH ÐAct.Ð ä4 ÐÌ64.à  àThis€could€for€instance€be€the€case€if€the€child€and€the€parent€residing€in€Denmark€wouldÐ ¼  Ðotherwise€have€to€live€as€a€family€in€a€country€where€the€person€residing€in€Denmark€does€not€haveÐ ¨ø Ðthe€possibility€to€enter€and€to€reside€in€together€with€the€applicant€-€for€instance€due€to€health€reasonsÐ ”ä Ðor€rights€connected€to€an€asylum€status.€Ð €Ð ÐÌ65.à  àAnother€example€would€be€the€situation€where€the€child€has€not€previously€shared€family€lifeÐ X ¨ Ðwith€the€one€parent€who€resides€in€the€home€country€and€where€the€other€parent€-€with€whom€theÐ D!” Ðchild€resides€-€is€granted€permission€to€family€reunification€of€spouses€in€Denmark€with€a€person€thatÐ 0"€  Ðis€not€the€parent€of€the€child.€Ð #l! ÐÌ66.à  àThis€also€applies€if€the€establishment€of€family€life€with€the€parent€who€is€still€residing€in€theÐ ô$D # Ðhome€country€must€be€assumed€impossible€for€other€reasons€or€if€the€best€interest€of€the€child€goesÐ à%0!$ Ðagainst€the€child€establishing€family€life€with€the€parent€who€is€still€residing€in€the€home€country.€Ð Ì&"% ÐÌ67.à  àThe€Government€is€hopeful€that€the€Committee€finds€these€explanatory€remarks€andÐ ¤(ô#' Ðcomments€useful€in€its€continued€work.Ð )à$( ÐÌò òRules€concerning€financial€securityó óÐ h+¸&* ÐÌ68.à  àThe€Government€has€taken€note€of€the€Committeeððs€recommendation€regarding€theÐ @-(, Ðrequirements€concerning€the€deposit€of€a€bank€guarantee€and€the€ability€to€be€self-supporting.€Ð ° ÐÌ69.à  àThe€Government€finds€that€as€a€starting€point€everyone€must€be€self-supporting.€This€alsoÐ ˆØ Ðapplies€to€foreigners€arriving€to€Denmark€as€part€of€a€family€reunification€for€spouses.€Ð tÄ ÐÌ70.à  àThe€position€suggested€by€the€Committee€on€indirect€discrimination€against€minority€groupsÐ L œ Ðwho€tend€to€suffer€from€socio-economic€marginalization€would€imply€that€no€countries€would€beÐ 8 ˆ Ðable€to€maintain€or€introduce€a€requirement€of€self-maintenance€since€such€a€requirement€per€se€willÐ $ t Ðalways€concern€the€property€or€financial€capacity€of€the€persons€concerned.€With€all€due€respect,€theÐ  ` ÐDanish€Government€does€not€support€this€position.€Ð ü L  ÐÌ71.à  àThe€financial€security€requirement€ensures€that€the€person€in€question€does€not€burden€theÐ Ô$  ÐState€financially,€which€should€not€be€the€result€of€family€reunification.€At€the€same€time,€financialÐ À  Ðindependence€of€newly€arrived€immigrants€contributes€to€successful€integration€and€to€a€greaterÐ ¬ü  Ðgoodwill€and€understanding€towards€foreigners€from€the€public€in€general.€Ð ˜è  ÐÌ72.à  àFamily€reunification€of€spouses€is€therefore€as€a€starting€point€granted€on€the€condition€thatÐ pÀ Ðthe€person€residing€in€Denmark€posts€56,567€DKK€(2007€level)€as€financial€security€for€the€coverageÐ \¬ Ðof€possible€future€public€expenses€for€assistance€granted€to€the€applicant,€in€accordance€with€the€ActÐ H˜ Ðon€an€Active€Social€Policy€or€the€Integration€Act.€Ð 4„ ÐÌ73.à  àThe€demand€for€a€financial€security€does€not€imply€a€demand€that€the€person€in€question€mustÐ  \ Ðactually€possess€56,567€DKK€as€the€person€can€provide€a€bank€guarantee,€which€typically€carriesÐ øH Ðwith€it€a€fee€of€1,500€DKK€per€year.€Ð ä4 ÐÌ74.à  àAn€alternative€to€the€financial€security€requirement€was€made€available€in€2006.€The€spouseÐ ¼  Ðresiding€in€Denmark€is€now€able€to€choose€between€providing€a€security€and€making€a€depositÐ ¨ø Ðcorresponding€to€the€size€of€the€security€in€a€financial€institution.€The€deposit€of€the€amount€in€aÐ ”ä Ðfinancial€institution€will€usually€be€cheaper€than€providing€security,€as€the€deposit€carries€no€annualÐ €Ð Ðfee.€€Ð l¼ ÐÌ75.à  àIt€is€emphasized,€that€exceptions€can€be€made€from€the€requirement€for€security,€where€familyÐ D!” Ðreunification€of€spouses€is€allowed€as€a€consequence€of€Denmarkððs€international€obligations.Ð 0"€  ÐÌ76.à  àThe€Government€would€also€like€to€draw€the€attention€of€the€Committee€to€the€fact€that€aÐ $X" Ðsimplification€of€the€requirement€for€self-maintenance€in€the€Aliens€Act€has€been€introducedÐ ô$D # Ðrendering€the€decision€independent€of€a€personððs€income,€as€long€as€the€person€is€self-maintainingÐ à%0!$ Ð(act€No.€89€of€30€January€2007).€The€decisive€factor€in€regard€to€the€assessment€of€ability€to€beÐ Ì&"% Ðself-supporting€is€whether€help€is€received€one€year€prior€to€the€decision€regarding€familyÐ ¸'#& Ðreunification€and€until€the€possible€granting€of€a€permanent€residence€permit.€€Ð ¤(ô#' ÐÌ77.à  àThe€Government€is€hopeful€that€the€Committee€finds€these€explanatory€remarks€andÐ |*Ì%) Ðcomments€useful€in€its€continued€work.Ð h+¸&* ÐÌ-€-€-€-€-Ð @-(, ÐÓ6ÓÌÌ