Asylum applications increase in Netherlands

The Christian Democrats and the conservative VVD are alarmed by the increase in the number of applications for asylum in the Netherlands in the first six months of this year. The number of requests in the first half of this year is just as high as for the whole of 2007.

The VVD thinks there is a link between the increase and the general amnesty for former asylum seekers introduced in mid-2007. The Christian Democrats think that it has been caused by stricter asylum procedures in other European countries such as Sweden.

MP Sybrand van Haersma Buma wants Dutch asylum procedures tightened. Green Left MP Kees Vendrik stresses that historically the number is relatively low.

Source: Radio Netherlands, 31 August 2008