There are reports of increased public unrest and problems, such as street intimidation, theft, and violence, involving Syrian youth in several Dutch cities,

 

Yes, there are reports of increased public unrest and problems, such as street intimidation, theft, and violence, involving Syrian youth in several Dutch cities, with some municipalities taking unprecedented actions like city-wide bans on groups of Syrian minors to address the issue. These youths often face long delays in the asylum process and a legal limbo without work or education, leading to frustration and potentially contributing to disruptive behavior.

 

Reported Issues:

Street Disturbance: Some Dutch cities, including Arnhem, Utrecht, and Groningen, have noted rising problems involving Syrian youth, such as public disturbances.

Specific Incidents: Incidents reported include street intimidation, theft, and violence.

 

Municipal Response: In an extraordinary move, one municipality imposed a city-wide ban on a group of Syrian minors to tackle disruptive group behavior.

 

Contributing Factors:

Legal and Asylum Delays:

Many of these youths are in an asylum process with long delays, leading to frustration and a lack of clear legal status.

 

Lack of Structure:

The youths, many of whom are unaccompanied, lack structure, work, and education, contributing to feelings of frustration and a potential spiral of further problems.

 

Frustration and Lack of Hope:

The combination of legal limbo, lack of opportunities, and the trauma of displacement can fuel frustration and a sense of despair, which may manifest in public disorder.

 

Displacement and Onward Mobility:

Frequent displacement between reception centers, combined with the pursuit of work and education, can also lead to instability for young refugees.

 

Official Action:

Mayors of cities like Arnhem have requested assistance and guidance from the national government to deal with the issues of troublemaking Syrian youth.

Some municipalities feel powerless to act decisively due to legal protections for unaccompanied minors, highlighting the need for national-level intervention.