A Danish court has denied Amal, a woman who was forcibly taken to Somalia for re-education as a teenager, financial compensation from Aarhus Municipality and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs despite her claims of serious failings by Danish authorities. Her case has ignited concerns about the ability of authorities to prevent such re-education journeys.

Amal, who had lived in Aarhus her entire life, was forced to go to Somalia by her parents in 2018, at the age of 16. She was subjected to violence, humiliation, and brainwashing in re-education camps in an effort to force her to abandon her Western lifestyle and views.

The case highlights a broader issue of forced re-education journeys affecting young people from non-Western backgrounds. Since 2018, authorities have registered 282 inquiries about re-education journeys or involuntary stays abroad, according to figures from the National Center Against Honor-Related Conflicts. Experts suggest the actual number is likely much higher. A 2018 survey indicated that a significant percentage of young people with non-Western backgrounds have been threatened with re-education journeys.

In response to this issue, the Danish government in 2018 criminalized parents who send their children on re-education journeys and allowed authorities to withdraw passports from children at imminent risk. However, between March 1, 2022, and May 21, 2025, passports have only been withdrawn five times despite estimates that around 50 children and young people are sent on re-education journeys annually.

This low number raises questions about the effectiveness of current measures. There are concerns that municipalities may not be doing enough to inform employees and at-risk youth about options like passport withdrawal. A lack of insight and reluctance to delve into cultural codes within certain communities may also play a role.

The author argues for a government-led investigation into the measures municipalities have implemented since 2018 to prevent re-education journeys. The author emphasizes the need for greater clarity and action to prevent similar situations, stating that Amal’s experience is unacceptable in a democratic society.