CDA votes against strict asylum laws, 'criminalization of illegality unacceptable'

 

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https://nos.nl/artikel/2573326-cda-stemt-tegen-strenge-asielwetten-strafbaarstelling-illegaliteit-onacceptabel

Yesterday, 11:22

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Updated yesterday, 12:02

CDA votes against strict asylum laws, 'criminalization of illegality unacceptable'

 

The CDA will not agree to the two stricter asylum laws. For the party, it is unacceptable that in one of the laws, the Asylum Emergency Measures Act, illegal residence of foreigners is punishable, as is the assistance to people who are staying illegally in the Netherlands.

 

"We think it is important that there is more control over migration, but this affects our principles and our values," says CDA leader Henri Bontenbal. "The fact that people who offer help are punishable is a totally impassable road for us."

 

Yesterday, the House of Representatives voted in favor of the amendment of the PVV to make illegality a criminal offence. "We were willing to support the law, but because of this we are now withdrawing support," says Bontenbal.

 

Bontenbal thinks it is "blunder" that the government parties agreed to the change in the law, as a result of which the CDA can no longer go along with it:

 

The CDA therefore also votes against the two-status system, which should make a distinction between types of refugees. Bontenbal follows the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND), which believes that the law is not enforceable. "The lesson that has always been taught in parliamentary inquiries is that we have to listen to the executive organizations," he says.

 

Exciting whether asylum laws will make it

Now that the CDA does not agree to the asylum emergency measures law, it will be very exciting whether it will make it in the Senate. There, a majority now requires the vote of all small one-man factions, such as OPNL and Fraction-Kemperman, to get the law through.

 

A majority in the House of Representatives is also not yet certain, NSC is still needed for that. That party has been in favor of the law so far, but it is still unclear what they will vote for now that illegality is also punishable according to the law.

 

The House of Representatives will vote tomorrow on the two asylum laws. Whether the two-status system will be introduced is also very uncertain. It is not yet known what many parties will vote for tomorrow, so it is unclear whether there is a majority.