The sale of alcohol has been banned in Greenland’s capital city in a bid to reduce violence against children during the autonomous Danish Arctic territory’s coronavirus lockdown.
But the shutdowns have triggered a rise in violence against children at home, particularly in capital Nuuk, according to the authorities.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Announcing the alcohol ban in a statement on Saturday, Prime Minister Kim Kielsen said: “In such a situation, we have to take numerous measures to avoid infection.
“But at the heart of my decision is the protection of children - they have to have a safe home.”
Violence against children has long been a problem in Greenland.
The Local new site reports that “nearly one in three people living in the autonomous Danish Arctic territory suffered sexual abuse during childhood”, a trend which experts have linked to the abuse to alcohol, drugs and ignorance of children’s rights.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Start your trial subscription today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
The trend may also be a factor in Greenland’s suicide rate, which is the highest in the world at around 85 per 100,000 people.
The alcohol ban came into force on Saturday and is scheduled to last until 15 April.
The restriction is also intended to curb the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus. “People are less aware of the dangers of contamination when they drink alcohol,” Kielsen warned in his statement.
-
Political cartoons for October 26Cartoons Sunday’s editorial cartoons include Young Republicans group chat, Louvre robbery, and more
-
Why Britain is struggling to stop the ransomware cyberattacksThe Explainer New business models have greatly lowered barriers to entry for criminal hackers
-
Greene’s rebellion: a Maga hardliner turns against TrumpIn the Spotlight The Georgia congresswoman’s independent streak has ‘not gone unnoticed’ by the president
-
Sanae Takaichi: Japan’s Iron Lady set to be the country’s first woman prime ministerIn the Spotlight Takaichi is a member of Japan’s conservative, nationalist Liberal Democratic Party
-
Russia is ‘helping China’ prepare for an invasion of TaiwanIn the Spotlight Russia is reportedly allowing China access to military training
-
Interpol arrests hundreds in Africa-wide sextortion crackdownIN THE SPOTLIGHT A series of stings disrupts major cybercrime operations as law enforcement estimates millions in losses from schemes designed to prey on lonely users
-
Denmark’s record-setting arms purchase raises eyebrows and anxietyIN THE SPOTLIGHT By eschewing American-made munitions for their European counterparts, the Danish government is bracing for Russian antagonism and sending a message to the West
-
China is silently expanding its influence in American citiesUnder the Radar New York City and San Francisco, among others, have reportedly been targeted
-
How China uses 'dark fleets' to circumvent trade sanctionsThe Explainer The fleets are used to smuggle goods like oil and fish
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
