Danish Hjemmeværnet sighted at COP15 Climate Talks

Their role was unclear, but this group of about eight - ten to be exact - Danish soldiers was walking just outside the Bella Centre during the COP15 climate talks. Filmed from a metro that passed the centre. Recorded on December 16, 2009 using a Flip Video camcorder. They were filmed as thousands of protesters were preparing to get into the centre, a moved that was prevented by the police. The army's role is not clear but this video clearly shows they were present.

Update Dec. 22: A viewer points out these guys are most likely part of the Hjemmeværnet, a sort of national guard who are often used in various light roles.

For more (in Danish):
http://da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hjemmeværnet

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• FlipShare
• Danish
• army
• Bella
• Centre
• BC
• COP15
• climate
• Obama
• protest
• demo
• Copenhagen
• soldiers
• police
• Hjemmeværnet
• Hjemmeværn
• EUX.tv
• EUX
• EurActiv.com
• EUXTV
• EurActiv

[Aaberg123]

Soldiers?!

[EUXTV]

there's about seven of eight of them walking on the street right next to BC. they're all in green uniforms.

[abeeee212]

Swedish and German police car??? wtf??

[CarlAlex2]

There is nothing hidden about the Home Guard supporting civil authorities in times of need.

In this case the job was mostely to stand watch, thus releasing police resources for other tasks.

Other civil support tasks are directing traffic at large events, searching for missing persons, providing manpower in all sorts of emergencies etc.

The uniforms are the same as the uniforms worn by the other military except for a unit patch of the Home Guard.

[mcfriedflesh86]

@abeeee212 a little help from our neighbors

[beo1975]

poor footage and no history. Their role was not unclear.

THey had different tasks during those weeks, and some in civilian clothes.

[Bavijanen]

The security-facillitys at Bella centre, -the reason for that I was forced also to take some shoots from the metro, except for the great sights...;-)

[S394652]

Hjæmmeværnet (HJV) had nothing to do with the demonstrations. If there was sign of trouble it was for the police to handle - although HJV recieves training in countering demonstrations, they have never been used for that to the best of my knowledge.

As mentioned earlier their role was simply to observe and report. Eyes and ears for the police, that's all.

[EUXTV]

interesting to hear about this. thanks. I'll amend video description.

[Aaberg123]

@EUXTV

Yep, Hjemmeværnet wears army-like clothes. It has 49,000 members, with an average age of 44 years.

From their website. Their tasks:

-surveillance and reporting.

-guarding, securing, and protection activities.

-limited and uncomplicated combat operations.

It really is just for people who like outdoors activities; and in turn have to work (min 24h a year) for the gov. as payment.

[EUXTV]

do they wear army uniforms? the video is not perfectly clear on this, but these guys definitely were in green fatigues.