Outgoing minister David van Weel (asylum) has adjusted the bill that makes illegal stay in the Netherlands punishable. The adjustment ensures that help to people who stay illegally in the Netherlands are not punishable. As a result, the proposal will probably receive support from a majority.
Van Weel published the change in the bill on Monday. He had already announced the change after the Council of State had ruled two weeks ago that the original bill ensured that help to people who stay in the Netherlands illegally are also punishable.
A majority of the Chamber is for criminalizing illegality through the asylum measures law, but not if that means that help to people who stay illegally in the Netherlands will be punishable. NSC and SGP have a decisive voice in that majority. But they have difficulty in the original proposal “Mercy is punished”.
That was the case in the original bill after an amendment from the PVV. It stated that “people or organizations that help aliens who are illegally staying in the Netherlands are also punishable”.
Van Weel’s change gets that from the asylum measures Act. “Every form of help will soon be no longer punishable. Only the illegality itself,” the minister said in an explanation. The proposal is now about two weeks in consultation, so that stakeholders can respond to it. The Council of State then examines the adjustment.
Van Weel hopes that with the adjustment he will receive the Asylum Nood Act before the election reviews by the House of Representatives. Whether that succeeds in planning is just the question, the minister acknowledges. The Chamber can only treat it if the Council of State has spoken about it.
Caretaker Minister David van Weel (Asylum) Has Adjusted the Bill That Makes Illegal Residence in the Netherlands Punishable. The Adjustment Ensures That Assistance to Persons Residing Illegally in The Netherlands is not Punishable. This is likely to gain the proposal the support of a majority in parliament.
Van Weel published the amendment to the bill on Monday. He had Already Announced the Amendment After the Council of State Ruled Two Weeks Ago that the Original Bill also Made Assistance to People Residing Illegally in the Netherlands Punishable.
A Majority in Parliament is in favor of making illegality Punishable Through the Emergency Asylum Measures Law, But Not If It Means That Assistance to People Residing Illegally In The Netherlands Is Punishable. NSC and SGP Have a Decisive Vote in That Majority. However, they struggle with the fact that “mercy is punished” in the original proposal.
That was indeed the case in the original Bill following an amendment by the PVV. IT stated that “Persons or Organizations That Help Foreigners Residing Illegally in the Netherlands to Go Into Hiding are also Punishable.”
Van Weel’s Amendment Removes That From The Emergency Asylum Measures Law. “Every Form of Assistance Will Soon No Longer Be Punishable. Only the Illegality Itself,” The Minister Said in An Explanation. The Proposal Will Now Be Open for Consultation for Approximately Two Week So That Interested Parties Can Respond To It. After that, The Council of State Will Consider the Amendment.
Van Weel Hopes That With The Amendment, He will get the Emergency Asylum Law Through the House of Representatives Before the Parliamentary Recess. Whether that will work out in Terms of Planning is Still Questionable, The Minister Acknowledges. The House Can Only Consider It Once The Council of State Has Expressed Its Opinion on It.