Translation of International Norms: Prevention of Gender-Based Violence Against Asylum Seeking Women in Denmark
Author
Ciegyte, Urte
Term
4. term
Publication year
2020
Pages
52
Abstract
Asylum-seeking women in Denmark fall into a legal gap that leaves them less protected from gender-based violence than women with permanent residence, despite Denmark’s formal support for international standards. This thesis asks why this inequality persists by addressing the core question: Why are female asylum seekers not protected in the same way as women with permanent residence, despite Denmark’s support of global norms on protection against gender-based violence? The study uses qualitative content analysis of international and domestic documents, guided by norm translation theory, to identify, compare, and assess whether norms are appropriated or contested in Danish policy. It juxtaposes global (CEDAW, the Istanbul Convention, the Geneva Convention) and EU norms (including directives on victims’ rights and reception conditions) with Danish legislation and practice. Findings indicate that only the global norms on state actions toward asylum seekers in the Geneva Convention have been fully appropriated, while global and EU norms on state action against gender-based violence have not been fully adopted, and Denmark has contested EU norms concerning asylum. A prevailing negative political attitude toward immigrants is also noted. Together, these factors may contribute to uneven protection and assistance for female asylum seekers, and the thesis highlights the need for further research into domestic factors shaping the current setting.
Asylsøgende kvinder i Danmark falder ind i et juridisk tomrum, der giver dem ringere beskyttelse mod kønsbaseret vold end kvinder med permanent opholdstilladelse, selv om Danmark officielt støtter internationale standarder på området. Denne afhandling undersøger, hvorfor denne ulighed består, ved at stille hovedspørgsmålet: Hvorfor er asylsøgende kvinder ikke beskyttet på samme måde som kvinder med permanent ophold, på trods af Danmarks støtte til globale normer om beskyttelse mod kønsbaseret vold? Studiet anvender kvalitativ indholdsanalyse af internationale og nationale dokumenter og er informeret af normoversættelsesteori til at identificere, sammenligne og vurdere, om normer approprieres eller bestrides i dansk politik. Analysen sammenholder globale (CEDAW, Istanbulkonventionen, Genèvekonventionen) og EU-normer (bl.a. direktiver om ofres rettigheder og modtagelse) med dansk lovgivning og praksis. Resultaterne indikerer, at kun de globale normer om staters handlinger over for asylansøgere i Genèvekonventionen er fuldt approprieret, mens globale og EU-normer om staters indsats mod kønsbaseret vold ikke er fuldt adopteret, og at Danmark har bestridt EU-normer vedrørende asyl. En negativ politisk holdning til immigranter identificeres som en medvirkende faktor. Samlet kan disse forhold bidrage til uensartet beskyttelse og hjælp til asylsøgende kvinder, og afhandlingen peger på behov for yderligere forskning i indenlandske faktorer, der former den nuværende situation.
[This apstract has been generated with the help of AI directly from the project full text]
Keywords