Dutch anti-racists are planning a demonstration to protest the parliament’s decision to conceal information about immigrants. This follows the parliament’s approval of a motion aimed at preserving details about the cultural and religious norms and values of Dutch individuals with immigrant backgrounds. Additionally, there is a public petition calling for the withdrawal of this decision.
A memorandum submitted to parliament by the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy, a member of the ruling right-wing coalition, states that the government has mandated the preservation of details regarding ethnic minorities. The memorandum asserts, “Data on norms and values can provide insights into cultural integration.”
Progressive MP Mpanzu Bamenga called the decision a “new low in social standards.” He had previously filed a lawsuit against the Dutch Border Police to challenge racial profiling. In an interview with The Guardian, Bamenga stated, “The entire proposal stems from a racist premise. It assumes a ‘them and us’ dynamic, suggesting that ethnic minorities are a problem that needs to conform to our standards and values. It is an entirely arbitrary decision.”
Some attribute the new decision to the violence that erupted after the soccer match between the Israeli team Maccabi Tel Aviv and Ajax Amsterdam. The incident sparked widespread controversy, particularly among right-wing groups that viewed it as anti-Semitic. In response, right-wing parties accused ethnic and Muslim minorities of failing to integrate, which ultimately led to the resignation of the state minister and two deputies who opposed the discrimination that characterized the debate.
According to political science professor Tom van der Meer, the framework of the decision has serious consequences for the frustration of citizens with an immigrant background. “There are studies based on samples that emphasize privacy and voluntary participation, and studies that do not look at individuals,” said der Meer.
The Jewish-born theater director, Gili Zijlstra, described the decision as reminiscent of the Holocaust, when Jews’ data was being recorded. Zijlstra pointed out the widespread antisemitism across all social classes, stating, “It seems that the motivation behind this is that only others – referring to migrants, Muslims, and people of non-Dutch origin – are the ones guilty of antisemitism, homophobia, or misogyny.”
Bente Becker from the People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy, who drafted the motion, expressed her dismay if the disruption impacted individuals. She clarified that the motion was not a call for registration, but rather a request for further research on groups within parallel societies, where some individuals with an immigrant background do not fully embrace Dutch values, such as constitutional democracy and gender equality.
According to the Guardian, Becker stated, ‘It’s not about investigating one group while ignoring the rest of the Netherlands. It’s about engaging in discussions on integration based on actual societal dynamics rather than just instincts.’
During the weekly press conference, Prime Minister Dick Schoof announced that the government would approach the motion with caution, considering its social sensitivity. “It should be clear that the cabinet will not monitor the opinions of individuals with a migrant background,” he stated. He also proposed that the motion be included in a five-year research project focused on the entire population.
