At the departure center Kærshovedgård, located near Ikast in Midtjylland, according to the Danish Parliamentary Ombudsman, there are insecure and burdensome conditions that restrict the residents’ daily lives. The Ombudsman, following a visit in the autumn of 2023, expressed concern about the security situation at the center, which has worsened since a previous visit in 2017. During the visit, the Ombudsman observed that the current conditions at Kærshovedgård do not directly violate international conventions, but they pose a significant burden on the people living there. These individuals are primarily foreigners without legal residence in Denmark, who have been ordered by the authorities to stay at the departure center.
Niels Fenger, the current Ombudsman, emphasized in a press release the importance of addressing and improving security to ensure that Kærshovedgård is a safe place for its residents. “It is a development that should be corrected,” he said, adding that it is essential to protect the people who are forced to stay at the center. This situation highlights the need for ongoing supervision and improvements in the conditions at Danish departure centers to ensure that they meet the requirements and standards necessary to protect residents’ rights and well-being.