Minister for Asylum Affairs Bart van den Brink says he cannot impose a legally binding measure requiring municipalities to provide emergency shelter for asylum seekers. He made the statement on Thursday morning after reports that the registration centre in Ter Apel could not offer everyone a place to sleep on Wednesday evening.
Under the Distribution Act, the minister can require municipalities to accommodate asylum seekers. However, he argues that this law applies only to long-term reception facilities. As a result, he believes it is not suitable for arranging urgent, short-term sleeping places.
On Wednesday, around fifty asylum seekers were left without accommodation in Ter Apel. They were eventually given shelter for one night in the neighbouring municipality of Stadskanaal. The minister has again called on municipalities to provide places quickly. He says he cannot do more. He is personally in contact with several municipalities regarding the request, although he has not named them.
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Pressure on the minister is increasing. The municipality of Westerwolde, which includes Ter Apel, has sent a letter reminding its ministry and the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) of their responsibilities. The letter states that the COA must arrange the reception and that the state is ultimately responsible.
René Paas, the King’s Commissioner in Groningen, believes the cabinet should declare a crisis situation to ensure that reception places are organised without delay.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
