DUTCH VIOLATE HUMAN RIGHTS

Lately the Dutch government finished the chapter on the immigration and integration policy. The final policy is a tribute to the late populistic Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn. It was Fortuyn that putted the issues of immigration and integration on the agenda. Just before the elections he was murdered, making it impossible for him to enjoy the success of his ideas. The new package of measures is going to make life difficult for unwanted people. Looking at the new policy it is clear that the Dutch made a complete reversal. After being hospitable and tolerant, the new Dutch legislation for immigration and integration now belongs to the most severe in the world. Besides this the European Council, an organisation of 45 countries that fight for the human rights, wants to discuss the intended deportation policy planning to expel 26.000 people that are not eligible for a permit of stay.

The fundament for the actual Dutch immigration policy was created by the left liberal, so-called purple government. They changed the system so much that number of new immigrants and asylum seekers dropped from approximately 43.000 in 2000 to 13.400 last year. But the new right wing government did what the others never dared: they stopped tolerating the refugees that did not get a residence permit. Now 26.000 people have to be expelled from the Netherlands in three years. Also higher demands on income are placed on members that are united with their family in The Netherlands.

Now more new rules are added. The new immigrants have to do a special civil course in their country of origin. The knowledge of the Dutch language and society will be cheeked when newcomers arrive in The Netherlands. This will mean that low educated and illiterate people will not find a way to immigrate to The Netherlands. Also the first generation immigrants are obliged to do a naturalisation course, at the cost of approximately €. 6000,=. Besides this the larger cities now officially get the possibility to keep out poor people from poor neighbourhoods. Also the estimated 150.000 illegal immigrants will get a hard time. The Dutch cabinet decided to speed up the hunt and deportation of illegal immigrants. Also the people that profit from this illegal cheap labour will be attacked, by a serious increase of fines.

There is a large chance that the realisation of the new policy will cause a lot of social unrest. Besides this the European Council, an organisation of 45 countries that fight for the human rights, wants to discuss the intended deportation policy planning to expel 26.000 people that are not eligible for a permit of stay. Because the Dutch are member of this European Council at the moment, they are asked to explain the severe new policy. The fact that this issue is discussed together with the ethnical problems in Bosnia , and the fact that in the past the Dutch were the party that was criticising other regimes about their violations of human rights, make it extra painful. Also the Dutch euthanasia legislation is attacked. According to the critics the euthanasia legislation has led to a disturbing increase of euthanasia cases with an explicit request. There are also complaints about the large number of doctors that do not report euthanasia. more features

May 3, 2004