There is great dissatisfaction among some of the asylum seekers who have been staying at Landgoed Velder near Boxtel since Tuesday, but when the municipality gives them the choice of ‘stay or return to Ter Apel’ on Thursday evening, they decide to stay anyway. Their complaints are said to have been largely resolved, although emotions are running high several times on Thursday.
Omroep Brabant heard several audio recordings made on Thursday morning and afternoon by one of the asylum seekers, Mohammed Hardan, at Landgoed Velder. Video material made at the location was also viewed.
No hot water
There is great dissatisfaction among a group of asylum seekers. For example, there would be no hot water in (some) shower rooms and the internet would falter or not work at all. There is also dissatisfaction with the location of the estate, some asylum seekers refer to it as a ‘prison’ because it is so isolated.
“This place is not for people, we are treated like animals here,” said one of those present during the consultation with the municipality on Thursday morning. “It is also about the health of our children, would you let your children sleep here?”, a woman asks someone from the municipality of Boxtel. Most of it is in English, some speakers are translated.
‘I am a refugee myself’
You can hear on the recordings that the mood is sometimes running high. Silence must be requested several times. The wish of the group of asylum seekers is clear: they want to go to another place. Some threaten to stay outside until the situation has improved, others indicate that they want to engage a lawyer.
Representatives of the municipality and other non-asylum seekers present say that they understand the situation on the recordings. “I am from Afghanistan, I am also a refugee, you are right,” said one of them. “We want to arrange everything for you,” says another.
Back to ter Apel
On Thursday afternoon at 5 pm there will be a second meeting between the municipality and the group of asylum seekers. Some improvements are discussed here, for example hot water would be available in all shower rooms within an hour. It is also promised that everyone will be able to use fast WiFi. “We’ve arranged everything you asked for, except that you have to walk a long way to the shower rooms.”
For some attendees it is not enough, they stick to their wish to leave. The municipality is clear: “There is only one solution: you go back to Ter Apel”, it is said. The municipality has indicated that it wants to arrange a bus so that they can leave on Thursday evening. Ultimately, there is no enthusiasm for that option, none of the refugees wants to return to Groningen.
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