Denmark’s Prime Minister has issued a formal apology to Greenland and specifically the women affected by non-consensual birth control practices in the mid-20th century, and, for the first time, she opened the door to possible financial compensation for this and other human rights cases between Greenland and Denmark. But how much does an apology cost, and does it have any impact on the bond between Denmark and Greenland?
Historic Formal Apology to Greenland Sparks New Conversation on Compensation
In a significant departure from past practice, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen this week issued a formal apology to Greenlandic women and girls who were subjected to non-consensual intrauterine device (IUD) insertions, also known as the “spiral campaign,” during the 1960s and 1970s. The apology included something unprecedented: a promise to open dialogue with the Greenlandic government about potential financial compensation, not only in this case, but also in other cases involving historical injustices.
This marks Frederiksen’s third formal apology on behalf of Denmark since 2019 related to historic wrongs committed against marginalized or vulnerable groups. However, it is the first to suggest that financial reparations may accompany the apology.
A Controversial Chapter in Denmark-Greenland Relations
The so-called spiral campaign came under renewed scrutiny in 2022 thanks to a Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR) podcast that revealed how thousands of Greenlandic women and even some girls, as young as 13 years old, had IUDs inserted without their informed consent. The campaign took place largely in the 1960s and 1970s and was aimed at lowering birth rates in Greenland, which was then under Danish control.
At least 143 women have since filed legal claims against the Danish state, alleging a violation of their human rights. The total compensation being sought across multiple lawsuits related to Greenlandic-Danish human rights cases is estimated at around 47 million Danish kroner, equivalent to approximately $6.8 million.
Other Ongoing Lawsuits Challenge Denmark’s Colonial Legacy
Two additional lawsuits are currently under review by the Danish courts. In one case, 26 Greenlanders allege systemic discrimination resulting from the delayed implementation in Greenland of legislation regarding legal paternity. Until recently, children born outside marriage in Greenland had limited or no legal right to inherit from or take the surname of their father, rights that were firmly established in Denmark decades earlier.
A third legal challenge is also being prepared by legal firm Pramming Lawyers. This case concerns questionable adoptions of Greenlandic children into Danish families during the same era. These adoptions, often made without full consent or proper legal procedure, have raised serious ethical and legal red flags.
Beyond the Spiral Case: Broader Implications
Legal experts and scholars believe that Frederiksen’s acknowledgment of compensation possibilities signals a major shift in Denmark’s approach to its colonial past with Greenland. Until now, state-issued apologies, such as the 2019 apology to the Godhavn Boys, who were abused in child care institutions, and the 2020 apology to the “experiment children” sent from Greenland to Denmark in the 1950s to be culturally assimilated, did not include any financial restitution.
However, that may be changing. The Prime Minister’s latest statement leaves open the possibility for compensation in other unresolved cases, depending on the outcome of a long-awaited historical report on Danish-Greenlandic relations. The report, intended to provide context and assess Denmark’s decisions during its colonial rule, has suffered delays and has been criticized for lack of progress over the past three years.
Calls for Faster Resolution
While grateful for the evolving discourse, legal representatives for the plaintiffs are urging the Danish government to act swiftly and consider settlements outside of court. Many of those affected are elderly and fear that legal processes could take years, potentially denying them recognition and justice in their lifetimes.
The first court date for the paternity case is expected in about six months, but legal experts caution that such proceedings could be lengthy. Advocates argue that the state should consider alternative resolutions, especially now that the door to compensation appears to be slightly ajar.
Is the Formal Apology to Greenland a Turning Point in Denmark’s Reconciliation with Greenland?
The developments could have lasting implications for Denmark’s reconciliation efforts with Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory with increasing demands for recognition and justice over colonial-era treatment. For the first time, financial reparations are publicly acknowledged as a possibility in state apologies, potentially setting a precedent for how democratic states deal with historical human rights violations.
As the historical investigation progresses and court cases proceed, all eyes will be on how Denmark chooses to respond, not only with words, but potentially with meaningful compensations.
