The Hague - Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
In a strange move, a group of citizens in the Netherlands, frustrated by what they consider insufficient measures, have decided to stop cars on their own initiative. The move has sparked a government reaction, as it falls under the jurisdiction of the border police. The minister in charge called for an end to the checks. According to what was published by the European news network in Brussels, "Euronews", on Tuesday, a group of Dutch citizens equipped with high-visibility vests and lights conducted private checks on the German border near the state of Lower Saxony. The participants, numbering around a dozen people according to media reports, decided to take action on their own initiative, due to their dissatisfaction with the current immigration policy.
Videos of the operation have circulated on social media.
As expected, the initiative was applauded by right-wing populist Geert Wilders, whose PVVV party withdrew from the Dutch government a few days ago. Wilders had previously presented a ten-point plan that included measures such as completely closing the border to asylum seekers. However, his party's coalition partners refused to vote for the plan, causing the government to collapse.
Wilders is also banking on the polarizing issue of immigration in the upcoming October elections. He described the group's border control operation as a "fantastic initiative" and even offered to participate in subsequent missions.
Urgent appeal from the Minister of Immigration and Police
In contrast, Dutch Immigration Minister David van Wiel was less enthusiastic: "The frustration is understandable, but don't take the law into your own hands," he said, adding that the government already supports stricter asylum laws. "Let the police and border police do their job," van Wiel said.
The minister also stated that such steps should be immediately refrained from. In a statement obtained by De Gelderlander, the Dutch police said: "Such actions create extremely dangerous situations. This action is truly unacceptable."