Denmark’s efforts to fight torture and corruption abroad: Between self-perceptions and realities

This Working Paper investigates Denmark's efforts to combat torture and
corruption abroad between 2000 and 2023. Although the analytical framework it
uses distinguishes different types of torture and corruption and their often
hidden features and interlinkages, both abuses are rooted in governance failures
and their political economies. Drawing mainly on official documents, evaluations
and international research, the main findings are that both scourges remain
persistent and widespread across partner countries; that Denmark has been
especially active in UN norm-setting against torture; that links between
international norm-work and implementation on the ground are weak in both the bilateral and international activities that are supported; and that impacts are hard to assess because few independent evaluations of impact exist, including in relevant NGO work. Local ownership is essential, as aid achieves little on its own. This is where improvements to Danish approaches to fighting torture and corruption can reduce the current gap between Danish self-perceptions and realities on the ground.