Denmark

Denmark regularly reports hate crime data to ODIHR. Hate crime statistics are regularly published on the Danish National Police website.

The Ministry of Justice conducts annual victimization surveys to measure unreported hate crimes. The Danish National Police regularly engages in dialogue on hate crime with a number of community stakeholders.

Hate crime data collection in Denmark
Support for hate crime victims in Denmark
Hate crime capacity building in Denmark
Denmark's hate crime legislation
 
Download the 2022 hate crime report for Denmark

OFFICIAL DATA REPORTED BY STATES

Year Hate crimes recorded by police Prosecuted Sentenced
2023 Not available Not available Not available
2022 212 Not available 22
2021 409 14 33
2020 635 Not available Not available
2019 469 - -
2018 449 - -
2017 446 Not available Not available
2016 274 Not available Not available
2015 198 Not available Not available
2014 Not available Not available Not available
2013 110 Not available Not available
2012 320 0 0
2011 384 0 0
2010 334 0 0
2009 306 5 1

About 2022 Data

    Police data became available after the launch of the 2022 Hate Crime Report, and was added to this table retrospectively in October 2024. Police records can have multiple motives; thus, some hate crimes are registered under more than one bias motivation. Police records exclude two cases of discrimination and 41 case of insults against persons acting by virtue of a public function, which fall outside the OSCE's definition of hate crime.
    The number of prosecutions cannot be identified as possible penalty enhancements (section 81, para. 6 of the Criminal Code) are only registered after a conviction.

    The number of sentenced cases represent the number of convictions for which the sentence was increased in line with section 81, para. (6) of the Criminal Code (an aggravating circumstance provision). The convictions are not necessarily final as they may have since been appealed.

Hate crime recorded by police

Police records exclude two cases of discrimination and 41 cases of insults against persons acting by virtue of a public function, which fall outside the OSCE's definition of hate crime. Police records can have multiple motives; thus, some hate crimes are registered under more than one bias motivation.

National developments

In 2022, the Danish Criminal Code was amended and now includes gender identity, sex characteristics and gender expression as protected characteristics. The amended Criminal Code also allows for the aggravating provision to be applied to offences involving mixed motives.

In January 2022, Denmark adopted a national Action Plan against anti-Semitism. The action plan applies the IHRA working definition of antisemitism. The plan was drawn up in consultation with Jewish communities, and covers the following areas: combating anti-Semitic hate speech, hate crime and discrimination; anti-Semitism online; the security and protection of Jewish communities; fostering Jewish life and maintaining Jewish heritage; education; research; and Holocaust remembrance.

Also in 2022, the Danish government launched a LGBT+ Action Plan for 2022-2025. The action plan covers a range of areas, but specifically addresses violence, sexual violence and hate against LGBT+ persons.

In 2022, the Danish National Police established a new digital police unit (the "Online Police Patrol") to strengthen its online presence. The digital unit patrols social media through by maintaining a visible police presence in open groups. In this way, the police are able to combat different forms of internet-related crimes more effectively, including those with a bias motivation. Additionally, it is possible for citizens to submit a crime report to the online patrol via email or Meta's Messenger app.

The Danish National Police published an information leaflet ("Advice and Guidance to persons who work with victims of hate crimes"). The leaflet was written in co-operation with the Danish Prosecution Service and with the contribution of the following groups and organizations: the Muslim Council, the Jewish community in Denmark, LGBT+ Denmark and the Disabled People's Organization Denmark. The leaflet is aimed at organizations who advise and help victims of hate crimes. Among other things, the leaflet provides information about the legal process – such as  the role of the police and prosecution services – as well as information on the different ways to report a hate crime to the police.

KEY OBSERVATION

ODIHR recognizes Denmark's efforts in facilitating online reporting and improving hate crime victims' access to information about the reporting. However, based on the available information, it observes that Denmark has not reported data on hate crimes recorded by the prosecution to ODIHR. In addition, ODIHR observes that Denmark would benefit from ensuring that hate crimes are addressed in a comprehensive manner, including by introducing a co-ordination mechanism.

ODIHR recalls that in Ministerial Council Decision 9/09, participating States committed to collecting reliable data and statistics in sufficient detail on hate crimes and to reporting such crimes periodically to ODIHR. Furthermore, in Ministerial Council Decisions 9/09 and 13/06, participating States committed to ensuring a comprehensive approach to hate crimes. Co-operation and co-ordination between the authorities and civil society organizations is needed to meet this commitment. ODIHR stands ready to support Denmark in meeting its relevant commitments through the provision of comprehensive resources and tailored assistance in the area of hate crime recording and data collection, as well as through its resources on developing co-operation mechanisms to address hate crimes.

Our methodology

INCIDENTS REPORTED BY CIVIL SOCIETY

🛈 ODIHR no longer presents descriptions of property attacks in the incident tables below. Data on property attacks are presented in the breakdown charts above. One property attack may target multiple properties or involve multiple types of attack.

🛈 ODIHR no longer presents descriptions of property attacks in the incident tables below. Data on property attacks are presented in the breakdown charts above. One property attack may target multiple properties or involve multiple types of attack.

🛈 ODIHR no longer presents descriptions of property attacks in the incident tables below. Data on property attacks are presented in the breakdown charts above. One property attack may target multiple properties or involve multiple types of attack.

Anti-Christian hate crime

Date Type of incident Source Description
2022-05 Threats/Harassment
Jehovah's Witnesses
 Show info

INTERNATIONAL REPORTS

No information is available.