New appeal to Dutch to take in child refugees from Greek camps
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More than 100 (former) politicians, aid organizations, scientists, doctors, representatives of churches and mosques, municipalities and prominent people jointly appeal to the cabinet to evacuate single children from the Greek refugee camps. The call for care for unaccompanied refugee children in the Netherlands has never been so great.
Widely supported
From Ed Nijpels, (former minister and party leader of the VVD), Job Cohen (Labor Party), Jan Terlouw (former party leader, minister and deputy prime minister D66), Herman Wijffels (CDA) to the Young Democrats; the message to the cabinet is widely supported by political leaders and former politicians from both government parties and the opposition.
Urgent appeal by Jan Terlouw
Jan Terlouw in a video message: “Greece is asking the countries of Europe for help, that is quite right. A number of countries are already helping the Greeks. But in the Netherlands we are not yet ready. We are one of the wealthiest, richest, best organized countries of Europe. That is why I call on the government to reach out to your heart and receive these children. “
In Groningen, Mayor Schuiling (VVD) will also make an appeal to the cabinet on the roof of Forum Groningen at the symbolic time of 11:58 (two to twelve) to receive 500 single refugee children in the Netherlands.
Benevolent municipalities
The group of municipalities that say they are prepared to receive refugee children is also continuing to grow. 43 municipalities have now joined the coalition of benevolent municipalities. For example, the municipalities of Rhenen, Harderwijk and Midden-Groningen joined in recent days. Many other municipalities, including Leiden, Amsterdam, Utrecht, The Hague and Rotterdam, have already preceded them in recent weeks. Municipalities where parties such as the CDA or VVD are part of the Executive Board also vote in favor of joining the coalition, such as Schiedam, Houten, Den Bosch, Breda, Haarlem and Vijfheerenlanden.
Unacceptable refusal
Germany, Luxembourg, France, Portugal, Ireland, Finland, Croatia, Lithuania, Belgium, Norway and Bulgaria take responsibility for a total of 1,600 children and thus respond to Greece’s cry for help to provide a safe haven for 2,500 refugee children. Drivers of the Dutch Refugee Council coalition, the Refugee Foundation and Defense for Children urge the cabinet to follow the example of the other EU member states. Time is short and the situation is urgent, the joint statement published Thursday said. “It is unacceptable for the Secretary of State to maintain that the solution lies in Greece. The Netherlands, must show solidarity with Greece and countries such as Germany and Luxembourg that already take care of some of the children. “
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