Case study: The 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% ( ) Surinamese 2.1% ( ) Moroccans 2.1% ( ) Antilleans 0.8% ( ) Asylum 2004  

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  –Wilders:1  9+ 8 –(Verdonk): 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 End Thank you for your attention ! Questions?

Niet-westers = non-western foreigner Westers =western foreigner Autochtoon = native Dutch 1e generatie = 1st generation 2e generatie =2nd generation 3e generatie = 3rd generation