Greenland rights council challenges spiral compensation bill

A compensation bill for Greenlandic women who were given contraception without their knowledge or consent is expected to pass the Danish Parliament on Thursday, but Greenland’s Human Rights Council has raised three objections, DR reports.

The bill has broad political support and is scheduled for its third reading and vote. The council welcomes the expected compensation, but says the proposal is not without problems.

“It is, of course, good that compensation is finally coming for the women who have been violated,” said Steve Sandgreen, a council member appointed by Greenland’s parliament.

“These are people who are still living with the consequences today. Women, men, families and Greenlandic society as a whole,” he said.

Three objections

Under the proposal, women who were subjected to contraception without their knowledge or consent between 1960 and 1991 would be eligible for compensation. The scheme covers women who lived in Greenland or were staying in Denmark.

Those who meet the conditions could apply to Patienterstatningen for a tax-free payment of 300,000 kroner. Applications would be accepted until 1 September 2028.

The council says that deadline is too short. Sandgreen said the application period should be extended because people may not yet know how the experience has affected them or when they will want compensation for the scars or harm caused.

The council also wants an administrative appeals body for cases in which applications are rejected. At present, a rejected applicant would have to bring a new case before the courts.

“It is very difficult to imagine a 70-year-old Greenlandic woman living here having to start a case in Denmark,” Sandgreen said.

Finally, the council objects to the proposal of a single payment of 300,000 kroner for each woman, regardless of how many violations she experienced.

“There should not simply be a fixed amount determined politically. Each case should be examined to establish whether there was one violation or several,” Sandgreen said.

The bill is based on a broad political agreement, and all indications are that it will pass. It comes nearly a year after Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen met some of the affected women in Nuuk after issuing an official apology.