Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei is withdrawing his works from two museums in Denmark to protest a new law that allows Danish authorities to seize valuables from migrants.
“Basically it’s an insult to human dignity to have that kind of policy,” Ai told The Associated Press on Wednesday by phone from Lesbos, the Greek island where many migrants enter Europe from Turkey.
The Danish Parliament on Tuesday approved a government proposal requiring migrants to hand over valuables worth more than 10,000 kroner ($1,500) to help cover their housing and food costs while their cases are being processed.
Human rights activists have denounced the move as degrading and inhumane. The Danish government says it’s simply applying the same rules to migrants as to Danes who receive social benefits.
Ai announced on social media that he was withdrawing his works from exhibitions at the Aros museum in the city of Aarhus and the Faurschou Foundation in Copenhagen. He said he also called curators at both museums to explain his decision.