Denmark’s Reckoning: A Heartfelt Apology to Greenlandic Women

In a significant step towards reconciliation, both the Danish government and Nuuk’s Naalakkersuisut – the Greenland Self-Government – issued an apology on August 27 to Greenlandic women affected by a systematic and controversial birth control campaign conducted from 1965 to 1991.

This state-sponsored initiative aimed to reduce the birth rate in Greenland, which has long been a focus of public health policy. The issue began gaining attention in 2017 when Naja Lyberth, a victim of the campaign, started sharing her experiences. The 2022 investigative podcast “Spiralkampagnen” from the Danish Broadcasting Corporation further disclosed alarming practices, revealing that young Greenlandic girls, some as young as 12, were often subjected to the insertion of intrauterine devices (IUDs) without proper consent. This included instances where IUDs were inserted during childbirth, frequently without the women’s awareness. The campaign resulted in a drastic decline in birth rates, compounding existing tensions between Greenland and its former colonial ruler, Denmark.

In 2023, both governments agreed to pursue a thorough investigation into this contraception program and other related practices spanning from 1965 to 1991, due to increasing demands from victims and politicians for accountability and reparations. In March 2024, 143 Greenlandic women filed a lawsuit against the Danish state, seeking individual compensation of 300,000 Danish crowns (approximately 40,000 euros) each.

Testimonies Reveal Disturbing Practices

The investigation’s findings were published on September 9, 2025, and, while lacking precise quantifications, reported that by 1970, over 4,000 Greenlandic women had received IUDs, a staggering number considering the population. Following 1970, statistical methods shifted, leaving the total number of IUDs inserted ambiguous.

Comprised of three distinct parts, the report provides crucial context regarding the history of contraception in Greenland, the legalities surrounding medical treatment at the time, and personal accounts of 354 women impacted by the campaign. The third section, which captures harrowing experiences, indicates that many of the girls and women were issued IUDs without receiving any explanation or the option to consent. A chilling quote from a 14-year-old who underwent the procedure illustrates this lack of informed consent:

“While we were at school, someone came in and said: ‘Girls, you need to be examined.’ We were taken to the hospital. We didn’t know what was going to happen… I had never been touched down there. It was very uncomfortable. It hurt a lot, and I started to bleed.”

Many women encountered severe physical complications as a result of these unauthorized procedures, including chronic pain, infections, and in some cases, infertility. The report notes that informed consent could only be substantiated in 47 out of 354 cases examined.

The State’s Role

This situation reflects not just a violation of women’s bodily autonomy but also exemplifies colonial dynamics. The campaign’s primary goal was to alleviate economic burdens associated with rising population figures, which further complicates its ethical ramifications. While the investigative team was not tasked with definitively classifying these actions as human rights violations, the implications have not gone unnoticed. Criticism has emerged from the Inuit Organization ICC, the Council for Human Rights in both Denmark and Greenland, and the Danish Human Rights Institute.

In response to the escalating calls for accountability, in August 2024, Naalakkersuisut initiated a supplemental investigation examining potential human rights violations associated with the IUD campaign. Anticipated to be released this winter, this report is expected to address allegations of genocide made by Greenlandic politicians.

Political Contexts and Timing

The simultaneous apologies from Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen were notable, particularly given Frederiksen’s previous willingness to address human rights abuses in Greenland. The timing of the apologies has drawn some scrutiny as they occurred shortly before the pending release of the investigative report and amid rising tensions due to renewed U.S. interests in Greenland.

Some speculate that the backdrop of U.S. interventionist offers, particularly from then-President Donald Trump, may have influenced the apologies and reinforced the urgency of addressing past wrongs. However, both leaders’ apologies were framed as a reaction to historical injustices rather than immediate political pressures.

Response from Greenland’s Government

Additionally, Prime Minister Nielsen’s apology on behalf of the Greenlandic government acknowledged past abuses even within the context of Greenland’s self-governance, stating, “I apologize for the harm and abuse that may have been inflicted on several women after we took over responsibility for our healthcare system.” This statement has been met with criticism, as some argue that colonial legacies persist even under self-governing structures.

This latest apology marks Greenland’s third public acknowledgment of past wrongdoings, which includes earlier apologies for forced deportations and social experimentation on Indigenous children. These actions continue to resonate within Greenland’s community, causing many to reconsider their faith in governmental accountability.

Future Steps Towards Reparation

A formal apology ceremony is scheduled for September 24 in Nuuk, where anticipations grow concerning possible announcements about reparations for IUD victims. The Greenlandic government has indicated intentions to compensate women affected by procedures post-1992, which may pressure Denmark to extend similar measures.

Despite initial reluctance to discuss direct compensation for the victims, Prime Minister Frederiksen indicated the establishment of a “Reconciliation Fund” aimed at supporting those impacted by the IUD campaign. The evolving dialogue around reparations suggests a broader acknowledgment of the injustices faced by Greenlanders, prompting further discussions about a truth and reconciliation commission to explore remaining historical grievances.