Dutch PM's 'dreadful silence' over anti-immigrant website
by Joseph Daul
It has been more than a month since Europe's solidarity was again challenged, this time by the launching of a website by the Dutch Party for Freedom, or PVV, that criticises immigrants and instigates hatred against European citizens from central and eastern Europe.
For the majority of the European Parliament, this website goes against the fundamental values of human dignity, freedom, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights. European Union citizens should feel at home in all 27 member states. Problems can be solved by dialogue and not by looking for scapegoats.
Immigration is a very sensitive field. We should not stir up fear and prejudice by providing answers that are too easy, and quite often false. We know very well that discrimination, racism and xenophobia have led to the darkest pages of our history. If we allow this site to run unhindered – if we let political parties instigate hatred – we open the door for others, in other countries, to do the same to their minorities.
What is even more dreadful is the silence of the Dutch Prime Minister, Mark Rutte. I deeply regret that the prime minister of a great democracy like the Netherlands did not feel it important enough to come personally to the European Parliament when it debated issues of discrimination and racism that were being encouraged by a partner in his parliamentary majority. I expected more of the head of the government of one of the founding member states of the EU.
And what I find incredible is that the Dutch government he leads is not willing to condemn such a website, one which is untruthful. Everywhere in Europe, the economy has taken advantage of the mobility of workers from central and eastern Europe. Both employers and representatives of Dutch trade unions have stated that they are of essential importance for maintaining the productivity in some of the vital sectors in the Dutch economy.
Every year these European citizens contribute at least €1.8bn to the Dutch economy, and deliver €1.2bn in tax revenue to the government. Across the EU the impact of migration from central and eastern Europe has raised the GDP by 0.44 per cent. In today's time of crisis that is a much needed contribution to our economies.
But beyond the economy: what message does the Dutch prime minister hope to relay by not condemning the PVV website? That the single market is only about goods and services but not about workers? That there are good or bad workers depending on the passport they hold? The single market is not a one way street. Its rules are as applicable to one as they are to another. They apply to goods, to services, to financial transactions and to workers. I often say that for me the EU is more than a single market, it is also, especially, a community of values.
We expect a more European attitude from the Dutch government. I call again on Mark Rutte to condemn and distance himself from this deplorable initiative. At the same time, as mentioned in the resolution adopted by the parliament last week, the European Commission and the EU Council have to do their utmost to stop the spread of xenophobic attitudes such as those expressed on this website and to ensure the effective implementation of the framework decision on racism and xenophobia in all member states.
The Irish philosopher Edmund Burke said: "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." My group will never remain silent when it comes to defending our European values.
Joseph Daul is chairman of the centre-right European People's Party group in the European Parliament
The EU should do more to make itself an attractive destination for migrants, so that it can meet labour shortages and address its demographic challenges, home affairs commissioner Cecilia Malmström says
Although I agree with the rejection of the supposed intention of the PVV-website - it is quite odd that nowhere in the text of the PVV-site is there a reference to or call for discrimination. I might be wise for commenters to translate the site of the PVV into their own language. What I really abhor is the fact-free-politics most MEP's have shown when considering this case. The quite silly and missing-the-point resolution of the EP did and will do absolutely nothing but help chairman Wilders in his surge for power.
According to Dutch law (and, for that matter, law in most EU countries) there is no prohibition against asking for negative experiences. In this case: are there jobs that could have been done by Dutch living on welfare? What Rutte most likely doesn't want, is to help Wilders by drawing attention - positive or negative - to the PVV. Furthermore: this is the site of a political party, not the site of our government. Reflecting on this site means that it can be asked of our PM to reflect on any site that is politically sensitive. Previous actions of the EP have shown that the it is on a disputable path of interventions in national affairs, thereby, destabilising the political situation in member states.
The arrogance of conveniently 'forgetting' that our PM will come to your (quite pointless) debate but at a later moment. The EP has only power to politely invite. It all points to the fact that this has more to do with political powerplay, than with concern for the European project. And why not invite Wilders himself? It is quite odd that you incriminate the whole of the Netherlands, instead of interrogating the real villain. It will only fuel the already quite negative attitude in the Netherlands towards the failing European project.
A.J. Stoffels - Leiden, Netherlands
The PVV and Mr Wilders thank you as they are up two seats in the latest poll, while they were on a slow but steady decline before this EP soap opera began. I won't repeat all the factual mistakes in the EP position and of Mr Rutte's position but be clear to say that this has done absolutely nothing but help and boost Mr Wilders' popularity. In the Netherlands any discrimination or racism or group hate is banned by law.If the website of the PVV is discriminatory as the EP claims then a judge in the Netherlands would have it taken offline.The EP should not attempt to confront the PVV as they come out the loser and Mr Wilders the winner.
Roland - Velsen , Netherlands
I find it odd that euro politicians always claim that massive immigration is adding to a countries GDP, they never mention the loss to the countries losing their expensively trained professionals or the rise in the stress on social services and increasing unemployment rates in the richer countries. Overall the freedom of movement forced on to us by politicians, without a mandate to do so, has caused more problems than the advantages claimed by these self serving politicians. These days, when things go wrong the phrase lessons will be learned is rolled out.
Well, it seems that the lessons learned from the causation of the Second World War haven't been learned. How long will it be before the disenfranchised unemployed of a country start to blame the mass influx of foreigners taking their jobs and getting free housing and money from the state begin to start to hate the intruders and blame them for everything that is wrong in their lives.
This sort of race hate is always just below the surface, and no matter how much people tell us we are Europeans - we are very different nations, and always will be.
Barry Davies - United kingdom
Our European values. What, pray, are they? I travel around Europe and no-one has ever been able to tell me.
Istro_German - Mainz
Factor in the bad side, Jo, such as crime, the lack of knowledge of language, not caring less about our laws etc. It's the bad immigrants that get people angry. Many groups do not want to integrate.
David
