Case study:Case study:The NetherlandsThe Netherlands

EU policies towards ethnic minorities

Winter semester 2006 – December 6, 2006

Typical Dutch village

Dutch flag

Country profile: basic stats Population: 16,339,385 (August 2006 est.)

Ethnic groups:

Dutch 81% (13,2 million)

Immigrants Western descent 8,5% (1,4 million)

Immigrants non-Western descent 10,5% (1,7 million) Of which 41% are born in NL “2nd generation”

Religions: (2002)

Roman Catholic 31%

Dutch Reformed 13%

Calvinist 7%

Muslim 6%

other 2.5%

none 40.5%

Immigrants of nonwestern origin:

Turks 2.3% (364.000)

Surinamese 2.1% (331.000)

Moroccans 2.1% (323.000)

Antilleans 0.8% (130.000)

Asylum 2004 9.8002005 12.350

History Prior to WWII: monocultural society

• Regional differences• Nationbuilding process• Emigration• Religious freedom, tolerance, and pillarisation

After WWII: immigration• Immigration• Multiculturalism• Political correctness• Dutch culture unifies• Cultural issues / segregation

History (cont.)

1950’s: immigration of Indonesiers • Ex-colony• Dutch language• Integration ease

1960’s: wave of immigrants from Southern Europe

• Spanish and Italians• Work• Stayed short

History (cont.)

1970’s: immigration of Surinamers • Ex-colony• Independency 1975• Dutch language

1960’s-1990’s: immigration of Muslims from Turkey and Marocco

• Work temporarily - stayed• Dutch aid• Generational differences

Politicians & Policies

PM Den Uyl (1970’s)• Immigrant policy• Prisma of multiculturalism, Political correctness• Dutch adaptation to immigrants• No debate about integration and immigration

PM Lubbers (1980’s) • Prisma of multiculturalism, Political correctness• No debate about integration and immigration• Neutral policy: no adaptation • Reunification of broader familie • “Bride import”

Politicians & Policies (cont.)

PM Kok Bolkenstein (1990’s)• No debate about integration and immigration• Politicians agree to avoid immigration debate• Political correctness continues, but… • Concepts of political correctness and

multiculturalism show signs of problems

Gap between politicians and public opinion widens fast

• Slow decrease of immigration• Bolkenstein, first politician who mentions

immigration issues

Politicians & Policies (cont.)Fortuyn (2002)

• massive support for Fortuyn

• Critized Islamitization of Netherlands Wanted certain degree of assimilation Wanted integration and not segregation

• BUT also had many ideas not connected to integration, immigration, or Islam smaller-scale organisation of public services, moral standards, liberal Critized (politic) elite

• Moved Dutch political spectrum to the right

• Created space for conservative parties

Politicians & Policies (cont.) PM Balkenende Verdonk (2000’s)

• Van Gogh murdered • Verdonk thougher on illegal immigrants• Less immigrants• Political correctness of 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s replaced by

open debate about integration and immigration• Introduction of “Rotterdam policy”

Wilders (VVD own party / 2006)• Wilders & Pastors first real conservative parties• No veils in public functions• Immigration stop of non-Westerners• Change constitution Christian, Jewish, and humanistic

roots to remain dominant• 5 year stop of mosques and Islamic schools• Close radical mosques, expel radical imams• Forbid the wearing of bhurkas

Politicians & Policies (cont.)

Current general opinion• Main task is integration, pluralism, repair balance:• The immigrants should:

- master the Dutch language

- participate in Dutch society

- contacts between ethnic groups

- acknowlegde Dutch norms & values

- activily create their own chances, supported

by opportunities given by the government

Elections 2006 Traditional parties lose:

– Christen D.: 44 41 -3– Labour: 42 33 -9– Liberals: 28 22 -6– D66: 6 3 -3

Right and left win:– Socialists: 9 25 +16– Wilders: 1 9 + 8– (Verdonk): 620.000 votes 9 seats

Government Coalition possibilities:– Christen / Socialist Chr.Dem, Labour, Soc.

most likely: 3 parties & 99/150 seats– Christen / Liberal / Conservative Chr.Dem, Liberals, Wilders not

so likely: 4 parties&76/150

Integration & Immigration policy

Coordination:

• Ministry of Justice

• Ministry for Immigration and Integration

Minister is Verdonk / part of Justice

• Goals of ministry:• Better integration• Restrictive entrance policy • Combat illegals and effective remigration policy 

of illiegals 

Integration & Immigration policy

ETA The Equal Treatment Act (1994) The Equal Treatment Commission (semi-judicial)

Newcomers Integration Act (1998)/ Wet inburgering nieuwkomers

“Stranger Act” / Vreemdelingen Wet (2000) “Live Together Act” / Wet Samen (2004)

Replacement National Network Diversity

Rotterdam Act (2006) Integration Act / Wet Inburgering (2007)

What are the “problems”?

“No integration, society is segregated”

Ethnic minorities live in biggest cities, city centers, high density (80%)

Ethnic Dutch live in suburbs

Increasing tension between

the two groups

Muslim irritations

Discrimination in the job market

Criminality statistics in media prejudice immigrants, mainly Moroccans & Turks

Generalization of terrorism to whole Muslim population

Electoral gains of conservatives

Less tolerance from Dutch

Criminality Statistics

The official statistics of criminality

Dutch irritations Culture problems:

• Equal rights women• Liberal democracy• Handshake• Murder of honor not acceptable• Holocaust

Islamitization of NL High costs, low benefits: health care costs,

social care expenses, integration difficulties Murder van Gogh Irritations towards political correctness of

70s/80s/90s

The EndThe End

Thank you for your attention !

Questions?

Niet-westers = non-western foreignerWesters = western foreignerAutochtoon = native Dutch1e generatie = 1st generation2e generatie = 2nd generation3e generatie = 3rd generation