Dutch plan tougher asylum policy against migrants

Unpublished
Amsterdam - The Netherlands is to toughen its asylum policy by cutting off food and shelter for people who fail to qualify as refugees. Failed asylum seekers would be limited to "a few weeks'" shelter after being turned down, if they do not agree to return home. They would then either be deported or sent away to fend for themselves. From November, the center-right coalition of Prime Minister Mark Rutte, which competes for votes with the popular, anti-immigration party of Geert Wilders, wants to close 30 regional "bed, bath and bread" shelters where asylum seekers have been able till now to get help on the basis of need. Under the plan, six national centers applying the stricter guidelines would provide only to people who agree to leave. The proposal prompted a clash between Rutte's ruling right-wing Liberals and their junior coalition partner, Labour, that nearly toppled the government in April. On Friday, the U.N.'s Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination added to outside criticism of the Dutch policy, saying basic needs of migrants should be provided unconditionally. "As long as they are in the Netherlands, they have to enjoy minimum standards of living," said Ion Diaconu, who helped write the U.N. report. (FA)

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