Greenland want joint reconciliation commission with Denmark

The Prime minister of Greenland, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, wants Greenland and Denmark to establish a joint reconciliation commission.

The Denmark and Greenland Reconciliation Commission is to define the Greenland and Denmark shared historie, includes the darker chapters, and the commission is constribute to reconciliation the greenlandic and Danish peoples.

Nielsen welcomes Denmark’s position

Jens-Frederik Nielsen believes that Denmark’s change of position can be used constructively by the Greenlandic people.

“We have made it clear that the Danes must participate in the reconciliation commission. Now that the Danish Government is positively incline to etableshing such a commission, is fortunate change" says Jens-Frederik Nielsen.

Williamson surprised by change

Denmark’s new position has surprised Professor Karla Jessen Williamson. She was appointed by the Government of Greenland as a member of distinction in the former Greenland  Reconciliation Commission.

Greenland established its own reconciliation commission in 2013 and the government of Denmark declined immediately starting that the Danes have done nothing wrong to colonize Greenland. According to Karla Jessen Williamson, Denmark did not see anything wrong with their actions to Greenland Inuit as as colonial power.

“It may seem strange that Denmark is responding this way now. At the time, Denmark gave a clear rejection when it was asked to participate in the reconciliation commission,” Dr. Karla Jessen Williamsom said.

The former reconciliation commission presented seven recommendations when it completed its work. And Government of Greenland did not act upon the recommendations, and never provide any meaningful contexts to the report.

Advice

Another member og Greenlands former Reconciliation Commission, Dorthe Kathrine Olsen, has some advice for the new commission.

"It is absolutely crucial that Naalakkersuisut supports the commission and that its members are well educated, have sufficient knowledge of Greenland, and have experience engaging with citizens," says Dorthe Kathrine Olsen.

No date has been set

Jens-Frederik Nielsen has not yet explained how the commission would be structured or when its work could begin. Greenland’s government and Denmark’s government must first agree on its framework.

“We hope that the reconciliation commission will be established as soon as possible. Of course, the framework must be put in place first,” said Jens-Frederik Nielsen.