|
|
|
Prepare yourselves, Dutch minister tells migrants |
By Alexandra Hudson
A FILM featuring a sunbathing woman and men kissing to show immigrants what awaits them in the liberal Netherlands is aimed at instilling Dutch values, Dutch Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk said.
The small European country of 16mn imposed some of the world’s toughest national entry laws this week to ensure that newcomers are equipped with what Verdonk says are vital integration skills in a country that, politically at least, has lost its “anything goes” image.
“If you want to come and live here than we expect you to learn the language ... It comes across as a hard line but it is a line that shows more respect for people then just leaving them to their own devices,” Verdonk told Reuters in an interview.
The film is compulsory viewing for prospective immigrants, preparing them for new Dutch language and culture exams that require up to 375 hours of study in their home country, and on which their chances of residency depend.
Some Muslim and immigrant groups are outraged at what they see as “shock tactics” used in the film, which they say could deter potential immigrants.
Verdonk, a 50-year-old former prison governor known for her hard-headed approach to her job, dismisses such criticism.
“What we are trying to do in the film is show the Netherlands in as realistic a way as possible, and it is perfectly possible that you’ll see homosexuals kissing here or a topless woman sunning herself on the beach,” she said, adding that an edited version has been prepared for countries such as Iran where such images are banned.
“It is important that you not be afraid to make clear demands of people – that they subscribe to our European values, that they respect our laws, and learn the language.”
Only potential migrants from outside Europe, North America and Australasia must take the test, which costs 350 euros ($417).
The immigration minister has become the public face of a series of tough new laws passed by the centre-right government, which has pledged to expel failed asylum seekers, convict members of militant Muslim groups, and tackle parallel societies created by rising social and religious tension.
Her department is also studying whether it can implement a ban on the burqa. Parliament approved the ban in December.
Dutch society is still reeling from the murder of filmmaker Theo van Gogh by a Dutch-Moroccan in 2004 and a series of death threats against lawmakers which provoked an anti-Muslim backlash. Key politicians now live under armed guard.
The murder of anti-immigration populist Pim Fortuyn in 2002 also forced the country to examine the question of integrating immigrants and swept the centre-right to power the same year.
“It was always thought there was a multicultural society here and tolerance, but it was actually indifference ... before Fortuyn we were not really able to talk about the problems, it was not politically correct,” said Verdonk.
Her stance has earned Verdonk, known as “Iron Rita”, praise and condemnation in almost equal measure. Last year shots were fired at her office but she was also voted the country’s most popular politician.
“I’m much stricter than my predecessor. I talk about citizenship exams, I make demands of people ... many people find that scary and don’t know what to expect,” she said.
Verdonk says neighbouring European countries face the same problems and are watching with interest as the Netherlands tries to reform immigration rules while also curbing discrimination.
“The Netherlands is not a completely stable country but nor are many other Western European countries,” she said.
Verdonk does not mind her reputation for toughness. “But the constant portrayal of me as someone without a heart and someone who doesn’t think of people just isn’t true.” – Reuters |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
