Denmark is a democratic society founded on the rule of law. This means that the government and the state administration, including the police, are subject to democratic control and that the courts act independently of the government. All citizens have certain fundamental rights and liberties, and are bound to respect the law. All citizens have the right to be treated properly and in accordance with the law by the administrative authorities and the courts.
Anyone can go to the police.
The task of the police is to maintain public order and prevent, investigate and solve crime. Anyone can go to the police for help and to report an offence. For example, you can go to the police if you have been robbed or attacked or if you have witnessed a crime. You can also call 112. Read more.
If a person is believed to have committed a crime, the police will investigate the case. It is the public prosecutor who prosecutes the case. The courts decide whether a person is to be sentenced. Read more.
Duty of secrecy
Public authority employees have duty of secrecy. As a general rule, this means that personal information may only be passed on to your employer or physician with your prior consent.
Access to records
You have the right of access to your own records. Normally, if you apply for records access you will be told what information is contained in your document records.
The Parliamentary Ombudsmand
The Ombudsmand is elected by Parliament and deals with questions regarding mistakes or negligence on the part of the state administration. The Ombudsmand is independent of the government and can initiate his own inquiry.
Anyone can contact the Ombudsmand if they feel that an authority is guilty of breaking a rule or of making an administrative error. However, all other avenues of complaint should first have been exhausted. The service provided by the Ombudsmand is free to all citizens.
Your right and possibilities to complain about the state administration
The Danish Public Administration Act contains rules on how the public authorities are to treat citizens.
Among other things, the Act states that the refusal of a request must be justified. And the Act further states that the state administration must advise you of the possibility of complaining to an alternative authority if such an authority exists.
Free Legal Aid
Help from the state
If you are involved in legal proceedings and have a low income, you can apply for free legal aid. If you are granted free legal aid, the state will help to pay for a lawyer and cover your legal costs.
Legal Aid
If you have a legal problem, you can apply for legal aid or to the Legal Advice Bureau. Here, a jurist will provide anonymous legal counsel. This service is either free or extremely affordable. You can find out more about legal aid or the Legal Advice Bureau by logging onto www.advokatsamfundet.dk.
Source: Citizen in Denmark.
Opdated January 9th, 2009.
