Copenhagen: Danish Prime Ministers’ Meeting Frederickson personally apologized to victims of the forced birth control program in Greenland, Denmark, which lasted for thirty years.
Between the late 1960s and 1992, the Danish authorities aimed to force about 4,500 women to wear contraceptive coils-or intrauterine devices (IUDs), reducing the birth rate of Inuit without their consent.
Frederiksen said at a ceremony in Nuuk on Wednesday afternoon that it was “a big impact on the Greenland girls”, adding: “I am on behalf of Denmark, I apologize.” Greenland Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen told listeners that the apology “does not mean we accept what happened.”
Many women are sterile and almost all suffer from physical or psychological problems. The scandal is one of several romantic relationships between Denmark and Greenland, including forced adoption and evacuation of children from Greenland’s Inuit from their families.
During a ceremony at Nuuk Cultural Centre on Wednesday, many victims in black wiped away their tears and listened silently to the Prime Minister’s apology. Among them is Kirstine Berthelsen, who said she suffered two ectopic pregnancy, long-term hospitalization, surgery and removal of a fallopian tube – the problem she said was related to IUD.
The 66-year-old retiree said listening to an apology in person is crucial to her recovery process. “I can then move on in my life without hatred, anger and negativity eating me from the inside,” she said. They were welcomed by applause when some of the victims had the opportunity to speak at the event.
“Good news”
Denmark has been keen to smooth tensions with strategically located in resource-rich Arctic territory, which U.S. President Donald Trump said has taken over for security reasons. In late August, Frederiksen made a long-awaited apology to victims of forced birth control exercises in a written statement.
On Monday, she also announced the establishment of a settlement fund to compensate victims and other Greenlanders who have been discriminated against for the INUIT estate.
“This is good news because my client is not satisfied with the apology,” said the attorney’s crazy lawyer, who represented about 150 victims who sued the Denmark for infringement.
“External pressure”
Congressman Aaja Chemnitz, who represents Greenland in the Danish parliament, said the apology was a direct result of Trump’s confident statement about Trump take over Greenland.
“It is external pressure, especially from the United States, that forces Denmark to step up its efforts,” she said. “I have been a member of Congress for 10 years and I have never blessed so much effort until now.” Still, she said it will be a “important moment” for the women affected and society as a whole.
Frederiksen violated the traditions of her ancestors, who insisted that Denmark had no reason to apologize. “In the past, the Danish Prime Minister has been very reluctant to commit injustice in Greenland,” said Astrid Andersen, a researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies.
Posted at Dawn on September 25, 2025
