European states have historically used coercive eugenics, targeting minorities and disabled individuals through forced sterilization and social pressure.
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Recent revelations about systematic eugenics methods employed by European states after World War II and the horrors of Nazism expose a dark side to Europe. Mandatory sterilization, forcibly applied to women of all ages without their consent, was historically used to limit populations deemed undesirable or problematic for the dominant group, despite attempts to legitimize these violent discriminations as protective measures. A recent case in Denmark involved an independent commission investigating widespread forced sterilizations on Greenland between 1966 and 1970, where over 4,500 women and girls were sterilized by Danish doctors, often without knowledge or consent. The report detailed severe medical complications for many victims. Following the report, the Danish Prime Minister apologized, but victims demand tangible reparations. In Czechia, after a long struggle, compensation was established for Roma victims of state sterilization policies dating back to at least four decades. While sterilization laws were repealed in various countries, non-consensual procedures continued through coercion, deception, or threats. Mandatory sterilizations are also prevalent against people with disabilities, mental health issues, or those under guardianship, often justified by outdated views on their capacity to parent. The European Commission has stated that forced sterilization is a serious rights violation and a criminal offense under new directives. While some countries like Spain have banned it for individuals lacking legal capacity, others still permit procedures under judicial oversight with questionable adherence to consent. In Greece, eugenics historically manifested as psychological and social pressure rather than mass physical sterilizations, though coercive practices exist in the context of intersex care.
