Birthe Rønn Hornbech
Encyclopedia
Birthe Johanne Sparrevohn Rønn Hornbech (born 18 October 1943 in Copenhagen
) is a Danish
politician, member of the Folketing
(the national parliament of Denmark) for Venstre
, the liberal
party
, elected in the constituency of Køge
, and former Minister for Refugees, Immigrants and Integration
and for Ecclesiastical Affairs
.
Hornbech graduated as cand.jur. (Master of Laws
) from the University of Copenhagen
in 1971. After that, she worked as a clerk at the Police
and in 1981 she was promoted to deputy police commissioner
. She was first elected to the Folketing in 1984
.
Hornbech is known for her pronounced views and has on numerous occasions disagreed with the leadership of her own party; for instance, she voted against an increase of public surveillance
.
Following the 2007 election
, she became minister
, although having previously denied offers of such appointment on more than one occasion.
In 2010, Hornbech came under public scrutiny as the Minister of Integration, when it was discovered that young stateless Palestinians living in Denmark were being illegally denied Danish citizenship, with her knowledge.
On 8 March 2011, she was fired from her ministries because of the stateless Palestinians case.
Copenhagen
Copenhagen is the capital and largest city of Denmark, with an urban population of 1,199,224 and a metropolitan population of 1,930,260 . With the completion of the transnational Øresund Bridge in 2000, Copenhagen has become the centre of the increasingly integrating Øresund Region...
) is a Danish
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
politician, member of the Folketing
Folketing
The Folketing , is the national parliament of Denmark. The name literally means "People's thing"—that is, the people's governing assembly. It is located in Christiansborg Palace, on the islet of Slotsholmen in central Copenhagen....
(the national parliament of Denmark) for Venstre
Venstre (Denmark)
VenstreThe party name is officially not translated into any other language, but is in English often referred to as the Liberal Party. Similar rules apply for the name of the party's youth wing Venstres Ungdom. , full name Venstre, Danmarks Liberale Parti , is the largest political party in Denmark...
, the liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
, elected in the constituency of Køge
Køge
Køge Municipality is a municipality in Region Sjælland on the east coast of the island of Zealand approx. 40 km. southwest of Copenhagen. The municipality covers an area of 255 km² , and has a total population of 56,637...
, and former Minister for Refugees, Immigrants and Integration
Minister for Refugees, Immigrants and Integration (Denmark)
Minister for Refugees, Immigrants and Integration of Denmark is a Danish ministerial office, often abbreviated as "Minister for Integration" . The office was created by Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen on 27 November 2001 when he formed the Cabinet of Anders Fogh Rasmussen I after the 2001...
and for Ecclesiastical Affairs
Minister for Ecclesiastical Affairs of Denmark
Minister for Ecclesiastical Affairs of Denmark is a Danish political minister office. The main responsibility of the minister is the Danish People's Church....
.
Hornbech graduated as cand.jur. (Master of Laws
Master of Laws
The Master of Laws is an advanced academic degree, pursued by those holding a professional law degree, and is commonly abbreviated LL.M. from its Latin name, Legum Magister. The University of Oxford names its taught masters of laws B.C.L...
) from the University of Copenhagen
University of Copenhagen
The University of Copenhagen is the oldest and largest university and research institution in Denmark. Founded in 1479, it has more than 37,000 students, the majority of whom are female , and more than 7,000 employees. The university has several campuses located in and around Copenhagen, with the...
in 1971. After that, she worked as a clerk at the Police
Police of Denmark
The police of Denmark is the interior part of the Danish legitimate force providers...
and in 1981 she was promoted to deputy police commissioner
Police commissioner
Commissioner is a senior rank used in many police forces and may be rendered Police Commissioner or Commissioner of Police. In some organizations, the commissioner is a political appointee, and may or may not actually be a professional police officer. In these circumstances, there is often a...
. She was first elected to the Folketing in 1984
Danish parliamentary election, 1984
Parliamentary elections were held in Denmark on 10 January 1981, after the opposition voted against the government's state budget bill. Although the Social Democratic Party remained the largest in the Folketing with 56 of the 179 seats, the Conservative People's Party achieved its best-ever result,...
.
Hornbech is known for her pronounced views and has on numerous occasions disagreed with the leadership of her own party; for instance, she voted against an increase of public surveillance
Surveillance
Surveillance is the monitoring of the behavior, activities, or other changing information, usually of people. It is sometimes done in a surreptitious manner...
.
Following the 2007 election
Danish parliamentary election, 2007
The 66th Folketing election in Denmark was held on 13 November 2007. The election allowed prime minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen to continue for a third term in a coalition government consisting of the Liberals and the Conservative People's Party with parliamentary support from the Danish People's...
, she became minister
Minister (government)
A minister is a politician who holds significant public office in a national or regional government. Senior ministers are members of the cabinet....
, although having previously denied offers of such appointment on more than one occasion.
In 2010, Hornbech came under public scrutiny as the Minister of Integration, when it was discovered that young stateless Palestinians living in Denmark were being illegally denied Danish citizenship, with her knowledge.
On 8 March 2011, she was fired from her ministries because of the stateless Palestinians case.