Over 117,000 signatures delivered to the Senate:'Vote against the harsh asylum laws'
Remember the harsh asylum laws that were approved by the House of Representatives?More than 117,000 people signed our petition against these harmful measures. OnTuesday, we delivered the petition to the Dutch Senate, the only body that can still stopthe laws from being adopted.
'These laws will not work'
'It is clear: these laws will not work,' said Sjoerd Warmerdam, Director Strategy & Public Affairs at the Dutch Council for Refugees, addressing members of the Senate.
'This is the moment to show that the rule of law is not a formality, but a responsibility. Your vote will determine whether fundamental rights are protected. Use that power.'
What happens if the Senate approves the laws anyway?
If the Senate votes in favour of the harsh asylum laws, the new rules will take effect immediately.
Three serious consequences:
1. Less security for people already in procedure. People who are currently in the asylum procedure would suddenly only be eligible for a 3-year residence permit instead of 5 years. The permit could also be withdrawn during that period, creating constant uncertainty. The pathway towards a permanent residence permit becomes much harder.
2. Families will be kept apart for longer. Dependent adult children, unmarried partners, foster children and dependent young adults would no longer fall under family reunification rules. This means families who expected to reunite may be separated for much longer.
In addition, people who already have protection status would have to wait two years before they can even submit a family reunification request. They would also need to prove they have their own income and housing; something that is extremely difficult given the current housing crisis.
3. More chaos and pressure on the asylum system. These laws would not only affect refugees, but also Dutch society more broadly. They are likely to increase pressure on the courts and on the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). Procedures could take even longer, meaning people may remain in emergency shelters for extended periods; a situation that is both harmful and costly.
Personal testimonies shared with senators
Bouchra, who fled Syria, told senators what these laws would mean for her:
'When I arrived here, I was highly motivated to learn Dutch, but I have already been waiting for 1 year and 3 months. Maybe I will be sent back to my home country. It is very hard to integrate into Dutch society when I don’t know whether I will be allowed to stay. It makes me afraid.'
Sourour, who is staying in an asylum reception centre and waiting for family reunification with her son, shared: 'These asylum laws create a lot of fear. It may become impossible for me to see my son if the law changes. It is easy to write a law, but it has huge consequences for human relationships and for the rights of people and children.'
Thank you for your support
We are grateful for the strong public support against these harsh asylum laws. Never have so many people signed our petition in such a short time. We hope the Senate will vote for humanity and the protection of fundamental rights.
Support refugees
People forced to flee leave everything behind in search of safety. Your support helps us defend refugees’ rights and ensures they get the guidance they need. So they can take part in society from day one and build a future of their own. Make a difference today.
