About seventy protesters gathered outside the Senate in The Hague to call on senators to vote against proposed asylum laws. Chanting slogans such as “Senators, make yourselves heard,” they also shouted “implementation ineffective” and “this offers no prospects for anyone”.
The demonstrators held placards quoting criticism from advisory and oversight bodies, including the Council of State and the Inspectorate of Justice and Security. The signs described the laws as “Contrary to human dignity”, stated that “Criminalisation not proven effective, on the contrary”, and labelled the proposals “Unworkable and unenforceable”. Several people carried signs reading “No human being is illegal”.
Frank Candel, chair of the board of VluchtelingenWerk Nederland, was also present in The Hague and expressed disappointment about what he sees as the growing politicisation of asylum policy. “It has been like that for years, but just when you think it can’t get any worse, they add another layer on top,” he said. “Even though there are some very serious points in it.”
Candel was referring in part to plans to criminalise illegal residence in the Netherlands.
@anp | NEWS BRAINPORT
