Denmark's policy of relocating residents from neighborhoods with large ethnic minority populations has been criticized as discriminatory, according to an adviser to the European Union's highest court, ahead of an upcoming ruling expected in the coming months.

The housing law, implemented in 2018, aims to enhance integration in a country where migrants have generally succeeded in terms of language skills and employment. However, its execution—especially the demolition of social housing units in Copenhagen and other areas—has faced backlash from rights groups, affected residents, and the United Nations.

The case before the European Court of Justice centers on whether Denmark's classification of neighborhoods based on "ethnic origin" is racially discriminatory. Tamara Carpeta, the ECJ's adviser general, stated that the use of terms like "immigrants and their descendants from non-Western countries" to categorize neighborhoods where public housing units are being reduced constitutes direct discrimination. While Carpeta’s opinion is not binding, it could influence the court's final decision.

Eddie Khawaja, a lawyer representing residents facing eviction from Copenhagen’s Mjolnerparken, expressed support for Carpeta's opinion. "My clients and I are thrilled that the Advocate General shares our view on this case," he said.

Muhammad Aslam, 58, the chairman of Mjolnerparken’s housing association, was evicted from his home in 2023 with his wife and one of their four children. "My children were born and raised in the home we were evicted from. All those memories disappeared overnight, and it’s not just our family—it’s many of our neighbors," Aslam shared.

Aslam, who moved to Denmark from Pakistan in 1975, has been relocated twice. "We are all lumped together in negative statistics because I was born in a non-Western country, even though my children were born and raised here and are Danish citizens," he said.

Under the policy, Denmark designates a neighborhood as a "transformation area" if more than 50% of the residents are non-Western immigrants or their descendants, meeting additional criteria related to education, income, crime, and workforce participation. Public housing associations are required to reduce the proportion of public housing in these areas to 40% by 2030.

Danish Minister of Social Affairs and Housing, Sophie Hastorp Andersen, noted that the Advocate General’s opinion is non-binding. "I will await the final decision of the judges," she stated.

Following the ECJ’s ruling, the case will be sent back to a Danish court for implementation.