No more sleepers in Ter Apel and a quick end to the nuisance caused by ‘safelanders’. The Groningen provincial politics is tired of the ongoing incidents and gives The Hague one last shot across the bow.
CDA party chairman Robert de Wit received widespread support in the Groningen States on Wednesday for his proposal for a cry for help to the cabinet and the House of Representatives. He will present his colleagues with a final urgent letter for approval next week, but the text cannot be sharp enough for most groups.
‘Completely unacceptable’, ‘degrading’ and ‘to be ashamed of you’: the criticism of The Hague was not in the air when De Wit asked his colleagues to reserve space on the agenda for next Wednesday for a letter on legs.
Anger about the impending repetition of last summer: possibly outdoor sleepers again
Last summer it was already a shame for provincial politicians that asylum seekers had to sleep on the grass in front of the overcrowded asylum shelter in Ter Apel. The fact that Secretary of State Eric van der Burg, a year later, again takes into account outdoor sleepers from next month is a source of political anger.
Anger has been fueled by the recent series of serious incidents. In particular, a group of 100 to 200 asylum seekers who actually have no chance of obtaining residence status because they come from safe countries cause a great deal of inconvenience to the population. Ter Apelers complain about threats, intimidation and (shop) theft and the police are working overtime.
“Groningen has become the drain of the asylum system,” says BBB Member of Parliament Bas Wiegmans. Opinions differ in the States as to whether the government is now being taken by surprise by the increasing influx or whether it has allowed things to get out of hand by doing nothing, but everyone agrees on one thing: Ter Apel should no longer be left alone.
Ter Apel will get a stricter regime for troublemakers: process availability location
There were two bright spots to report on this on Wednesday. According to Wiegmans, Ter Apel will receive a so-called Process Availability Location or PBL as early as June 6. There, troublemakers are received under stricter supervision, with strict checks on the chambers and the obligation to remain available at all times for their asylum procedure.
As a result, safelanders are no longer expected to swarm over Ter Apel or the wider region. According to Wiegmans, the municipality of Westerwolde, which is heavily committed to the arrival of the PBL, hopes to be relieved of the nuisance within two to three weeks. Anyone who nevertheless shows criminal or aggressive behavior will be transferred to stricter surveillance locations elsewhere.
PvdA party leader Pascal Roemers is also optimistic. According to him, the arrival of the PBL is good for Ter Apel and for the residents of the asylum center. “Clearness comes faster and asylum seekers are more substantive with their procedure during the day.”
Extension of emergency shelter at TT Circuit Assen gives Ter Apel ‘pressure valve’
Roemers is also positive about the extension of the emergency shelter at the TT Circuit in Assen until October 1, announced on Wednesday. According to him, this offers a ‘pressure valve’ for Ter Apel, which is now only 20 places below its maximum capacity for 1980 residents.
Nevertheless, such temporary measures remain a matter of “sticking plasters,” says Inge-Astrid van Dijk, spokesperson for the Party for the Animals. “And it seems that the first-aid kit will remain in Ter Apel. But you can’t fix a festering wound with plasters. The government is responsible for solid and humane reception policy.”
To really alleviate the pain in Ter Apel, the so-called Distribution Act must be introduced as soon as possible, says deputy Tjeerd van Dekken. But the introduction of this will certainly not take place until 2024 after opposition in the House.
‘Groningen is doing the maximum with 3500 places, now it’s up to the rest of the country’
“This law is very necessary to ensure that the reception is distributed fairly among other provinces and municipalities,” argues Van Dekken. The Groningen municipalities are already making a maximum effort with 3500 reception places, he argues. “I do understand that there is resistance elsewhere to the reception of groups that cause nuisance. But we all have to show solidarity in this country.”