Protests are planned in the Netherlands in response to a motion accepted by the Dutch parliament to keep records on cultural and religious norms and values of Dutch people with a migration background. This move has sparked outrage among anti-racism campaigners, with a public petition calling for the motion to be withdrawn. The largest party in the government is run by the anti-Islam MP Geert Wilders, adding further controversy to the situation.
Critics of the motion believe that it is racially motivated and reinforces a divisive “us and them” mentality. Mpanzu Bamenga, an MP for the progressive Democrats 66 party, called it a “new social low” with racist undertones. The motion has also stirred up memories of the Holocaust, with some comparing it to Nazi registration of Jewish individuals.
The political climate in the Netherlands is already tense, with debates around integration and segregation intensifying after recent incidents of violence, including antisemitism. Rightwing politicians have accused Dutch Muslim ethnic minorities of failing to integrate, nearly causing the coalition government to fall apart in November.
While the VVD MP behind the motion has clarified that it is not a call for a register but for more research on integration, critics argue that the framing of the motion is problematic and could lead to further discrimination. The tension surrounding this issue underscores the deep divide within Dutch society and raises questions around the treatment of individuals with a migration background.
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