Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt has defended the government\u2019s representation at the Euro Football Championship in Ukraine. This is even though Sweden, Germany, France, Holland and the EU Commission have boycotted the tournament in protest at Ukraine\u2019s poor human rights record, report Seven59.dk and B.dk.<\/p>\n
In this case, the government’s decision to go ahead may be partially justified according to a University of Copenhagen expert who has specialised in political boycotts.<\/p>\n
Ukraine is accused of human rights violations and the alleged mistreatment of former Prime Minister Julia Timosjenko. Culture Minister Uffe Elb\u00e6k has affirmed his intention to travel to the Ukraine to attend Denmark\u2019s opening match at the European Football Championship on Saturday.<\/p>\n
In response to strong criticism from former Foreign Minister Per Stig M\u00f8ller, who accused the government of failing to live up to the EU\u2019s democratic ideals, Helle Thorning-Schmidt said:<\/p>\n
\u00bbAs well as watching Denmark\u2019s matches our culture minister will be holding meetings with human rights and opposition groups whilst he\u2019s there, which in many ways will be more beneficial than a boycott. I believe it\u2019s important for a representative of the government to show our support for the Danish national team but obviously, when there are major human rights problems in the Ukraine we have to talk to human rights organisations.\u00ab<\/p>\n
Culture ministry civil servants are now working flat out to arrange meetings with activist and opposition groups, but have refused to say which for fear of retribution, according to media sources. <\/p>\n
A Danish ministerial boycott would have little effect on Ukraine, according to Peter Viggo Jacobsen, an associate professor at the University of Copenhagen who has studied political boycotts. Even though Denmark is currently chairing the European Union’s rotating presidency.<\/p>\n
\u00bbIt would end up being an empty gesture,\u00ab says Peter Viggo Jacobsen.<\/p>\n
He adds that even if the Danish government boycotted the event, the fact that the EU remained split on the issue as Denmark had not been able to engineer a consensus, would still be considered a failure.<\/p>\n