International

The influence of the European Union on Dutch criminal law is growing ever greater, according to Arda Gerkens, Member of Parliament for the SP. Gerkens is calling on the Minister of Justice to take a more critical stance in relation to EU with a direct bearing on the country's criminal law. “The SP is in favour of European cooperation in dealing with cross-border criminality," says Gerkens. "The EU should not, however, prescribe what is or is not a criminal act, or the extent of the punishment which any such act should attract. That is a national responsibility."

To prevent the European Council on Refugees in Europe (ECRE) being deprived of funds, SP Member of the European Parliament has fired off an urgent letter to the European Commission. The Commission's decision to deny ECRE funds is described as 'incomprehensible' by De Jong, given that the umbrella group offers a voice to all of Europe's refugees' organisations. In the European Union the human rights of refugees are already under pressure, a situation which can only grow worse should ECRE's voice be silenced.