A rhetorical tight-rope secured by a concrete block. : Explaining away international criticism of human rights practices in Denmark

Description

Denmark has for decades benefited from having an image as a reasonably well functioning welfare state, promoting humanitarian values. This image of being an example to the world has been internalized in the way Danes conceive of their country. The paper examines the reactions when the mirror for a moment seems to stop reflecting the picture of Denmark the Danes would like to see, and hence, to sketch out a segment of Danish identity politics. Specifically, the paper analyses parliamentary debates on international human rights based criticism of Danish policies on refugees, immigrants, and integration. The critical reports appear in Danish political debates - along with physical human beings - as material objects to be explained away. The aim of the paper is to assess the strategic utility of human rights for proponents of a less exclusive policy in relation to migrants and refugees.