Danish Tenants Optimistic in Supreme Court Housing Discrimination Case

Denmark's Supreme Court is hearing a major housing discrimination lawsuit.

The decision could affect social housing rules across the country.

Seven families from Helsingør had their leases terminated in 2022.

Helsingør is located just north of Copenhagen.

The evictions occurred under a 2018 Danish housing law.

The law aims to alter areas officially designated as transformation areas.

The government previously called these locations hard ghettos.

The law applies to estates where most residents are non-Western.

Housing owners must rebuild, renovate, or sell properties by 2030.

This measure aims to change the social mix of residents.

The evicted tenants sued, citing discrimination based on ethnic origin.

Lower courts previously ruled in favour of the landlord.

The tenants then appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court began hearing arguments on Friday.

A final verdict is expected on November 23rd.

One plaintiff, a 33-year-old engineer named Riad, spoke to AFP.

He felt optimistic after attending two days of court hearings.

The Danish Institute for Human Rights also presented arguments.

Riad stated that the tenant group has a strong case.