A New Investigation Has Just Started#

A new team of experts must now investigate whether there has been a violation of human rights in the spiral case, and whether the thousands of spiral suspensions can be described as genocide.

Below you can read an overview of what has happened in the spiral case since the case started. The DR podcast “The IUD Campaign”, published in May 2022, revealed how thousands of girls and women had IUDs installed in Greenland in the 1960s and 70s. In the podcast, several women come forward and tell how they have involuntarily had IUDs installed by Danish doctors up to the age of 14.

The spirals were much larger than the ones we know today, and have had major psychological and physical consequences for several of the women. According to DR, the spirals were part of the Danish authorities’ strategy to reduce Greenland’s population growth, which at the time was one of the highest in the world. From 1966, when the strategy was initiated, until 1970, 4,500 spirals were set up. At that time, there were well over 9,000 fertile girls and women. The strategy ran until 1975.

Initiated Investigation#

The spiral case has caused strong reactions both from Greenlandic citizens and politicians, who call it “shocking”, “cruel”, “terrible”. Several politicians believe that this was a genocidal practice. At the spring assembly in 2022, the parties unanimously agree that an investigation of the spiral case must be carried out.

At the same time, the government of Greenland announced that women involved in the spiral case can get free psychological help.

In September 2022, the government of Greenland and the Danish government agreed to initiate the investigation. But just over nine months later, chairman of the government of Greenland, Muté B. Egede, criticised the Danish government for delaying the investigation.

This has speeded things up, and in May 2023 the impartial investigation was launched. The investigation must examine the historical context for the spiral case from 1960 to 1991, when Greenland took over responsibility for the health area. This includes the concrete implementation of spiral setups both for girls and women in this country and for Greenlandic girls who were enrolled in Danish post-secondary schools. The investigation is expected to be completed in May 2025 and is financed by the Danish state.

Women Demand Compensation#

In October 2023, 67 women from the spiral case demanded DKK 300,000 each in compensation from the Danish state for violations of their human rights. The women are represented by lawyer Mads Pramming from Ehmer Pramming Advokater. The Danish state hasn’t ruled on the compensation claim yet.

Barely half a year later, by March 2024, 143 women were suing the Danish state. This means that the total compensation claim is almost DKK 43 million. The women are waiting to get their case before the court.

Blocking The Investigation#

In July 2024, there was a trouble with the spiral case investigation. A mid-term report revealed that the Greenlandic health management has withdrawn the permission to use the case material in the health care system. This has been done for the sake of citizens’ privacy and personal data in the patient records.

The material had to be used to uncover how the healthcare system in the period 1960 to 1991 handled the then practice of IUDs.

In October 2024, Minister for Equality of the government of Greenland, Naaja H. Nathanielsen, who is in charge of the spiral case for the government, announced that a solution to the blockage had been found.

“A solution has been found, where the research group has gained access to the areas where there are records, and they have been able to photograph the material, so that they can get an idea of ​​how much material there is lies all around,” said Naaja H. Nathanielsen to KNR.

Research leader in the spiral investigation, Tenna Jensen, confirmed that the researchers have gained access to parts of the material. She stated that the research group is in the process of making applications for the last material.

Another Investigation Is Being Launched#

In August 2024, the government of Greenland launched another investigation into the spiral case. The new study is funded by the government of Greenland and aims to examine the legal issues in the spiral case including, which violations of human rights the women in question have been exposed to.

According to Naaja H. Nathanielsen, it was originally the government of Greenland’s wish that these questions be answered in the ongoing spiral investigation. But it was then rejected by the Danish government, she told KNR. The investigation must also focus on the cases of involuntary contraceptive treatment that occurred after 1992. It is expected to be completed in May 2025—at the same time as the spiral investigation.

New Spiral Cases#

The involuntary spiral setups are also going to pull strings today. Because in December 2022, several women told the British media BBC that they have also had contraception installed without consent in the 1990s and right up to today.

A report from the National Medical Association from March 2024 showed that the NMA is aware of 15 cases of involuntary contraceptive installation in the period 1993 to 2014, and 13 of the women say that they have had an IUD installed in connection with a surgical abortion.

Both several of the affected women and politicians have demanded that the self-government issue an apology to the women. According to Naaja H. Nathanielsen, the government of Greenland will await the investigation of the human rights aspects of the spiral case.

Stop Racial Discrimination Against Greenlandic Parents#

On Friday, the Minister For Children and Youth Affairs Aqqaluaq B. Egede, and the Danish Minister of Social Affairs and Housing Sophie Hæstorp Andersen held a meeting on the matter, where it was decided that the tests may no longer be used on Greenlandic parents.

This happened after the Minister had issued a harsh criticism of Danish municipalities’ use of the tests.

“It is highly objectionable and unacceptable to use examination methods that do not take into account the origin of people. It has been clear for several years that the test used is not suitable for examining citizens of Greenlandic origin.”

“The government of Greenland would strongly urge the Danish authorities to stop the use of psychometric tests and racial discrimination against Greenlandic parents,” wrote the Prime minister, Múte B. Egede, and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Aqqaluaq B. Egede, in the press release earlier this week.

Criticism Of Tests In Placement Cases Of Greenlandic Children#

The municipality of Copenhagen and the municipality of Esbjerg have chosen to follow the call. However, several Danish municipalities continue to use the tests in placement cases.

Most recently, a case in November this year in the municipality of Thisted has caused people to demonstrate in both Nuuk and Copenhagen. The case concerns a woman from Greenland who had her child forcibly removed after birth.

The tests in question are used to examine the parenting skills of parents in placement cases. However, the tests are developed based on Western norms and traditions. Therefore, it has sparked great criticism that the tests are being used on Greenlandic parents in Denmark.

Although the Danish Institute for Human Rights called on Danish municipalities to stop using the tests on Greenlandic parents in June, there are still municipalities that have used them.

In an interview with DR, Aqqaluaq B. Egede said that the Kingdom (of Denmark) is in serious crisis if “the scandal of the forcible removal of children without grounds is not resolved”.

And it is a message that the Danish Minister of Social Affairs and Housing Sophie Hæstorp Andersen has now listened to.

“I completely agree with my Greenlandic colleague that it must take place on a secure basis when children are forcibly removed. There is no doubt about that. That is also why the psychological tests of parents must never stand alone. In these serious cases, many professionals have often been involved before a decision is made,” wrote Sophie Hæstorp Andersen in a written response to KNR earlier this week.

Criticism Of Tests In Placement Cases Of Greenlandic Children#

Today, five times as many children from Greenlandic families in Denmark are placed outside the home compared to children from Danish families. This is shown in a report from 2022 by VIVE (The National Research and Analysis Center for Welfare in Denmark).

In 2023, a report from the knowledge center VIVE pointed out that caseworkers in Danish municipalities lack knowledge of Greenlandic culture and language, and that this can lead to misunderstandings and prejudices.

At the same time, there has also been criticism of the use of the so-called parent competence tests (FKU) in placement cases of Greenlandic children. This is because the tests are adapted to Western culture and norms.

In March 2023, the Danish government allocated 7.8 million kroner over three years for new parent tests and guidance in cases of possible placement of children from Greenlandic families in Denmark.

This happened after negotiations in which the Greenlandic parliamentarians, Aaja Chemnitz and Aki-Matilda Høegh-Dam, demanded money for new tests.

Originally, the new tests were supposed to be ready by the end of 2023.

The Danish government has instead initiated a preliminary study that will form the basis for the work of developing new tests. The preliminary study must be completed by the end of 2024.

In June, the Danish Institute for Human Rights called on five Danish municipalities to stop using FKU tests in placement cases of Greenlandic children.

The municipality of Copenhagen and the municipality of Esbjerg have chosen to follow the call. However, several Danish municipalities continue to use the tests in placement cases.

Most recently, a case in November this year in Thisted Municipality has caused people to demonstrate in both Nuuk and Copenhagen. The case concerns a woman from Greenland who had her child forcibly removed after birth.

The Minister of Social Affairs confirms that she had a “good and constructive meeting” with Aqqaluaq B. Egede, and that the case makes a great impression on her.

“Therefore, I will now write to all the country’s mayors and recommend that the municipalities, in each specific case, consider how they can relevantly uncover parental competences, so that they inform cases in a way that takes into account the family’s overall situation, including their Greenlandic linguistic and cultural background.”

“It is absolutely crucial that tests are not used that do not take this into account, and the use of tests in such cases should, in my opinion, stop,” writes Sophie Hæstorp Andersen.

There Is No Guarantee#

The controversial parenting tests have come back on the agenda after more than 200 people took to the streets in Nuuk and Copenhagen earlier this month and demonstrated against Danish municipalities’ use of the tests.

In June, the Danish Institute for Human Rights sent a letter to five of the Danish municipalities where the most Greenlanders live, calling on them to stop using the tests on Greenlandic parents. Copenhagen and Esbjerg have chosen to follow the call.

But the question now is whether the remaining 96 municipalities in Denmark will do the same.

“You can expect that the municipalities will listen to what a minister recommends that they do. But legally the minister cannot oblige them as the rules are now,” says Tine Birkelund Thomsen, legal project manager for Equal Treatment at the Danish Institute for Human Rights.

According to Tine Birkelund Thomsen, it is good that the Danish Minister of Social Affairs is responding to the matter. But it is far from enough, she emphasises.

“From the perspective of the Greenlandic citizens, it is clearly not satisfactory, because there is no guarantee that the tests will be stopped.”

“In the end, one can choose to say that one will regulate by law how the tests should be used specifically,” she says.

The association MAPI, which works to promote the rights of Greenlandic parents and children in placement cases, has announced that they are holding a demonstration against the use of parent tests. The demonstration took place yesterday, on November 20, at Christiansborg Palace Square at 3 p.m. Danish time.

At the same time, there was also a demonstration in Nuuk at 12 p.m. local time. The two demonstrations therefore took place at the same time.

Women Want To Take Denmark To Court#

The waiting politicians in Denmark have been allowed to feel the frustration of women who were given forced contraception before 1992.

In March this year, 143 women sued the Danish state and each demanded 300,000 kroner in compensation for violations of human rights. This is exactly the same amount that Greenland will now spend.

There Are Two Studies Underway#

The largest was launched in May 2023, and it examines the extent of IUD insertions from 1960 to 1991. A team of both Danish and Greenlandic researchers is investigating how IUD insertions on both girls and women in this country took place. They are also investigating forced contraception on Greenlandic girls who attended Danish continuing education schools in those years.

Greenlandic government and the Danish government have agreed to conduct the study, and it is expected to be completed in May 2025. The Danish state will pay for the study.

he second investigation was started only by the Greenlandic Government in August 2024. It focuses on the new cases of involuntary IUDs after 1992—and it is in the at least 15 cases that Siumut and Inuit Ataqatigiit will provide 4.5 million kroner in compensation.

The second investigation goes into depth about the human rights violations the women have been subjected to. It is expected to be completed in May 2025—at the same time as the IUD investigation.

Naja Lyberth, spokesperson for the women, told KNR at the time:

“The government could have reacted a little faster, but they are stalling. The oldest of us are over 80 years old, and therefore we cannot wait any longer. As long as we live, we want to regain our self-respect and respect for our wombs. There is no government that should decide whether we should have children or not.”

Greenland Wants To Be A Role Model#

The claim for compensation from Denmark has ended up in court, but that is not how it seems to be going in Greenland.

“I will not comment on how Denmark handles it. That is up to them. But in Greenland we show that we do not accept that women are treated in that way. We hope to be seen as role models because we take responsibility for the fact that the women have experienced something unacceptable.”

“We hope that the state will realise that the treatments that have taken place cannot be accepted,” says Erik Jensen.

According to Erik Jensen, the women have already been exposed to enough pain by the Greenlandic authorities. Therefore, he believes that it is time for Greenland to take responsibility.

“Women who have been given an IUD without consent must receive an apology and financial compensation,” he says.

Three Years In The Making#

In January 2022, a political majority reached an agreement on the action plan.

It has generated great criticism that it has been in the making for so long. Among others, Aaja Chemnitz has called it “deeply unacceptable”.

On December 19, 2024, Kaare Dybvad Bek presented a draft of the action plan at a closed meeting.

The final plan is expected to be completed in January.

Discrimination against Greenlanders in Denmark is a major problem, the parliamentarian believes. And she is far from the only one who thinks so.

The UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, José Tzay, also believes that many Greenlanders face discrimination in Danish society, as stated in a report last year.

This is particularly true at Danish educational institutions, where two out of three Greenlandic students experience prejudice, according to a study by the Danish Institute for Human Rights.

More Widespread Than Most People Think#

One of the initiatives in the action plan that the government has already unveiled is a new state unit that will coordinate efforts for Greenlanders in Denmark. Something that makes Aaja Chemnitz throw her arms up in the air.

“It is a huge, huge victory. Perhaps the biggest victory in reality,” she says.

This is being done on the recommendation of the Danish Institute for Human Rights.

“There are problems that can lie in different ministries in the area of ​​education, social affairs and other ministries. And if you want to ensure an impactful effort, you need one unit that has a real coordinating role and deals with cases that concern equal treatment of Greenlanders in Denmark,” says Louise Holck, director of the Danish Institute for Human Rights.

The Danish Minister of Immigration and Integration, Kaare Dybvad Bek (S), also acknowledges that there is a problem with racism against Greenlanders in Denmark.

“Racism against Greenlanders is unfortunately more widespread in Denmark than most people think. It has no place anywhere, and in Denmark we bear a great responsibility for ensuring that everyone in the kingdom is treated properly,” he states in the press release.

KNR has tried to get an interview with Siumut’s parliamentary politician Aki-Matilda Høegh-Dam, but she has not had the opportunity to appear before the deadline. She states that she has participated in meetings with the Minister of Integration, where she has shared experiences of Kalaallit Inuit experiences with discrimination in Denmark.

Source:

• KNR, Kalaallit Danmarkip iliuusissatut pilersaarutitaassaani ukkatarineqartut: “Angusaq angivissorpoq”
• KNR, Overblik: Det er der sket i spiralsagen siden start
• KNR, Den danske regering lover at stoppe brugen af omstridte tests i Danmark, KNR
• KNR, Grønland vil give 300.000 kroner i erstatning til nye spiralofre
• KNR, Dansk socialminister sender brev til kommuner om omstridte forældretests