Retspolitisk Forening

Retspolitisk Forening (originally Dansk Retspolitisk Forening) is a Danish civil-liberties association that works "for sikring og udbygning af borgernes retssikkerhed, demokratiske friheder og sociale rettigheder" — for the safeguarding and expansion of citizens' legal certainty, democratic freedoms and social rights. It traces its history back to 1978, when it was founded as Dansk Retspolitisk Forening. The association is based in Copenhagen and communicates through its website, retspolitik.dk. The organisation functions as a watchdog and advocacy body rather than a commercial enterprise. It monitors Danish legislation, policing and administrative practice for threats to due process and civil rights, and it intervenes in public debate through statements, reports and submissions to international human-rights mechanisms. Its current chair is Noe Munck. A recurring activity is the preparation of shadow reports and input to United Nations human-rights procedures. The association has contributed to Denmark's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) process and to the List of Issues Prior to Report (LOIPR) under the UN Convention against Torture, working alongside other NGOs such as DIGNITY – Danish Institute Against Torture. Its submissions have addressed conditions at the Kærshovedgård departure centre, among other topics. Retspolitisk Forening also presents an annual honorary award, the KAFKAT Prize, to recognise individuals who have defended citizens' legal rights. In 2026 the prize was awarded to Johan Busse, former citizens' ombudsman (borgerrådgiver) in the City of Copenhagen, for his work in that now-abolished post. The award ceremony is held in connection with the association's annual general meeting, followed by a public debate on legal-certainty issues. As a membership-based association, Retspolitisk Forening is not listed on any stock exchange and does not operate for profit. Its influence rests on public advocacy, legal analysis and participation in civil-society coalitions in Denmark and internationally.

Retspolitisk Forening traces its origins to 1978, when it was established as Dansk Retspolitisk Forening. From the outset it defined its purpose as working for the safeguarding and expansion of citizens' legal certainty, democratic freedoms and social rights — a mandate it continues to state on its website today. Over the decades the association has positioned itself as a civil-society voice in Danish legal-policy debates. Rather than providing individual legal aid, it focuses on systemic issues: the quality of legislation, the conduct of police and public authorities, the treatment of detainees and foreigners, and the balance between security measures and civil liberties. It publishes statements, analyses and reports, and it organises public meetings and debates. A significant part of its recent work has been international. The association participates in Denmark's Universal Periodic Review (UPR) at the United Nations Human Rights Council and contributes to reporting under the UN Convention against Torture, including the List of Issues Prior to Report (LOIPR) process. In this work it cooperates with other Danish NGOs, notably DIGNITY – Danish Institute Against Torture. Its submissions have covered, among other subjects, conditions at the Kærshovedgård departure centre for rejected asylum seekers. The association also maintains a tradition of recognising defenders of citizens' rights through its honorary KAFKAT Prize. In 2026 the prize was awarded to Johan Busse, the former citizens' ombudsman (borgerrådgiver) in the City of Copenhagen, for his work in a post that has since been abolished. The award ceremony took place on 18 April 2026 in Copenhagen, following the association's annual general meeting, and was accompanied by a public debate on how legal certainty can be secured. As of the available sources, the chair of Retspolitisk Forening is Noe Munck. The association remains active, operating from Copenhagen and maintaining an online presence at retspolitik.dk.

• 2026

  KAFKAT Prize awarded to Johan Busse on 18 April 2026.

• 1978

  Founded as Dansk Retspolitisk Forening.

Non-profit civil-liberties advocacy association focused on legal certainty, democratic freedoms and social rights in Denmark.

• UN UPR and CAT LOIPR submissions

  Shadow reports and NGO input to international human-rights mechanisms, including material on Kærshovedgård.

• KAFKAT Prize

  Annual honorary award recognising defenders of citizens' legal rights.

1. 1Retspolitisk Forening – official websiteretspolitik.dk
2. 2Retspolitisk Forening – Wikipedia (Danish)da.wikipedia.org
3. 3Dansk retspolitisk forening – Wikidatawikidata.org