Desk Reports :
Denmark carried out a forced birth control program on hundreds of women and girls in Greenland from 1966 to 1991. Nearly 30 years after the incident, Denmark has admitted its guilt. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has also formally apologized to Greenland.
At that time, thousands of women, starting from girls as young as 13, were inserted with intrauterine devices (IUDs – a type of sterilization procedure) without their knowledge or consent, according to a document published by Reuters in 2022. The program was stopped after Greenland took responsibility for its own health system in 1991.
“We cannot change the past. But we can take responsibility. So, on behalf of Denmark, I want to say – we apologize,” said Prime Minister Frederiksen. The apology is part of a larger effort to improve relations between Denmark and its semi-autonomous territory of Greenland. At the same time, it is also helping to counter the US’s interest in occupying Greenland.
Incidentally, on the same day, Denmark summoned the highest-ranking US diplomat in Copenhagen. Based on a report by the Danish intelligence agency, it has been alleged that US citizens are secretly carrying out activities to exert influence in Greenland.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has said that he wants to occupy Greenland. His administration has cited the historical mistreatment of Greenlanders under Danish rule. However, surveys have shown that most of Greenland’s 60,000 residents want ultimate independence from Denmark, but not US occupation.
Last year, a group of women in Greenland in the 70s and 80s sought compensation from Denmark through the courts for this forced birth control program. Denmark has not yet paid compensation. Because the matter is under investigation. The results of the investigation are expected to be published next month.
The case is one of several allegations of misconduct by Danish authorities against the people of Greenland. Denmark also publicly apologized in 2022 to some of the victims of a 1950s experiment. The victims were children at the time. They were forcibly taken from Greenland to Denmark.
