Geert Wolters, Knight in the Order of Oranje-Nassau is angry with Minister Marjolein Faber (PVV) of Asylum & Migration. She opposes the giving of a royal ribbon to five former employees of the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) because this is ‘perpendicular to its policy’.
Wolters: “Apparently it must become an award from a minister and not from society.”
In 2010 he himself was knighted in the Order of Oranje-Nassau because of his many years of commitment as a volunteer. He was, among other things, chairman of the Jaarbeurs van het Noorden and held other board positions. He was also active in local politics, including as a councilor and alderman in the municipality of Noordenveld. “The award is an appreciation for the tasks that I have enjoyed fulfilling.”
An appreciation that he also grants others. The fact that the minister blocks this hurts him: “I hope that Prime Minister pushes his signature under control, something that normally only is a formality. If these people don’t get their ribbon, he may come and pick it up. Then I don’t need him anymore.”
King’s commissioners and mayors are also concerned about Faber’s choice nationally. Just like Wolters, they believe that refusing signs for a ribbon should not be a political instrument.
“We call on all those involved to respect the existing procedures and criteria and to keep the granting of Royal Awards free of political considerations. This is essential to preserve the value and meaning of these awards for society,” writes René Paas, King’s Commissioner in Groningen, on behalf of all his colleagues on LinkedIn.
Whether the former COA employees will eventually get a ribbon is still unclear for now. The final choice lies with the Council of Ministers. Schoof and Minister Judith Uitermark (Home Affairs) have now announced that they would like to sign for the ribbons of the five volunteers.