UN says Denmark is not doing enough for people with disabilities

Denmark is facing criticism from the UN for failing to meet several aspects of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Danish NGO Danske Handicaporganisationer (DH) said in a statement yesterday. 

A UN report noted that there is significant variation between Danish municipalities in the level of support provided to people with disabilities, and also said Denmark has done too little to reduce the use of coercion in psychiatric care.

According to DH, the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is also concerned that the Danish Parliament has relaxed rules on the use of force against people with disabilities, making it easier to detain individuals using physical force in more situations, while also reducing record keeping of such force.

“Things are going in the wrong direction in psychiatric care, in residential homes, in public schools, and in the disability sector overall,” the chairperson of DH, Thorkild Olesen, said in the statement.

“This report should be mandatory reading for parliament, the government, and the rest of the country’s politicians, and it should serve as a working document to improve conditions for people with disabilities,” he added.

Palestine Square in Copenhagen a step closer after committee meeting

A majority at Copenhagen Municipality’s town planning committee has voted to allow an area of the city to be named Palestine Square.

Several steps remain before a final decision is made, however, after a Conservative member of the committee, Helle Bonnesen, exercised a right to send the proposal to a vote in the 55-member city council.

Bonnesen was one of four members of the planning committee who voted against the proposal, while six members voted in favour and one was absent.

However, it appears likely that the proposal will get majority backing in the city council, with the four left-wing and centre-left parties behind the original proposal holding a majority of 29 members. Should it be adopted here, it will proceed to a public hearing stage.

Bonnesen told newswire Ritzau she opposes the symbolism of naming an area as Palestine Square during the ongoing conflict, and that the procedure must go through the correct channels. Supporters of the plan have previously said the move would improve inclusivity by referring to a part of the world where many Copenhageners have heritage. 

Clear weather with up to 20 degrees to follow fog

It’s looking like autumn in much of Denmark this morning with a heavy mist lying low over the country.

However, this is forecast to clear and be replaced by clear, sunny weather and temperatures of up to 20 degrees, according to broadcaster DR’s forecast.

Central and western Zealand will get the best temperatures, according to the report, but nowhere will be cooler than 15 degrees.

Town offers free buses in plan to boost public transport

The town of Herning in Central Jutland is to offer all residents free transfer on specified buses within the municipality from October 1st, in a move aimed at getting more passengers on board local transport.

Several bus routes in the town and municipality of Herning will be entirely free to residents in a pilot project launching on October 1st, the Midttrafik regional transport operator said.

The pilot project will be in place for an initial six months, expiring at the end of March 2025.

In addition to the offer of free buses, young people aged 16-26 will be able to purchase a cheap travel card, the HerningUNG card, providing cheap travel on all city and regional buses within Herning Municipality.

More details on that story here.