Divorce or Leave: Denmark Tells Iraqi

CAIRO — The Danish government is asking an Iraqi man to either divorce one of his two wives or leave the Scandinavian country, Russia Today reported on Monday, June 16.

The man, who married twice while in his home country Iraq, was granted asylum in Denmark after working as an interpreter with Danish forces in the war-torn Arab country.

But in Denmark, he is being asked to divorce one of his wives because the law of the land does not allow polygamy.

The man has been given a one-month deadline by the Department of Family Affairs to divorce one of his wives or leave the country.

"It will be the second wife and it will be like a divorce," says immigration lawyer Mayanna Vilon.

"It will be her that will have the biggest problems."

Denmark withdrew its ground forces from Iraq in 2006 but still keeps a small air force in the war-torn country.

Tough Choice

Dr Osama Al-Erhayeim, Chairman of the Danish Iraqi Association, says the man is left with two tough choices.

"He helped the Danish soldiers, the Danish authorities when they were in Iraq and he's in a dangerous situation not only now but for years to come," he said.

"He cannot return to Iraq."

The Iraqi man is now considering to move to Britain with his family.

"The family has considered the ruling and they have agreed not to divorce," attorney Marianne Volund has said.

"Since the interpreter also worked with the British forces in Iraq, we are now looking into the option of moving the family to England in order to live with both marriages there."

If this option fails, the man will take his case to court.

The plight of more than two million Iraqi refugees is now worse than ever, with millions struggling to survive in desperate conditions and with little hope of finding sanctuary.

Amnesty International warned earlier this month that while the crisis continues, the world community, especially Western countries, have not only failed to help but are also erecting fresh obstacles to prevent the dispossessed men, women and children from settling on their shores.