Nieuws van de afdeling

31 October 2014

Drowning people must be rescued, whether you’re Italy or the EU

On 1st November the Italian government will cease its large-scale commitment of its own navy to the rescue of refugees threatened by death as their ships founder in Italian waters. Eight European Union member states, including the Netherlands, will take over some of the tasks needed, but will have to do what they can with a third of the money previously available. The operation, moreover, will be performed under the aegis of Frontex, the service responsible for guarding the EU’s exterior frontier, and as such is not specifically directed at saving the lives of drowning people. Amnesty International is hugely concerned about the situation now arising. The SP shares these concerns. Italy must fulfil its international obligations and continue to perform active rescue operations. The member states and the European Commission must now step up the pressure on Italy and not wait for the next shipwreck with hundreds of victims. At the same time a structural solution must be sought, in cooperation with Italy, for the enormous numbers of migrants and refugees looking to enter the EU via Italy. Work must at last be started on the establishment of a European asylum centre.

31 October 2014

The need for jihad

From free democracy to violent jihad is a big step. Yet there are in our country young people taking this step. Jihadism evidently provides for a need. A doctrine that explains everything, including your own failings. Why you don’t succeed at school, or at your work. Why your parents don’t understand you, why you became a criminal. An ideology that connects everything you do to something that’s much bigger. Everything you say, what you eat, how you dress, is linked to a huge and eternal right. You can tell your friends your father, or the imam, the truth. You can liberate yourself by sacrificing yourself in a violent struggle.

29 October 2014

Harry van Bommel: Foreign Minister must recognise Palestinian state

Van Bommel: Get serious about a two state solution by recognising Palestine (photo: Rusty Stewart, CC by-nc-nd/2.0)

Good examples should be followed: the Netherlands must emulate other European countries and recognise the Palestinian state, argues Harry van Bommel.

23 October 2014

Mission impossible in Mali

Fleeing Chinese guards, broken toilets, the UN as 'black-box'. The Mali military mission is no bed of roses. SP Member of Parliament Jasper van Dijk paid a working visit to Dutch soldiers. Below are his impressions.

22 October 2014

SP votes to reject Juncker team

The SP delegation in the European Parliament today voted against the appointment of the new European Commission under the leadership of Jean-Claude Juncker. Explaining the decision, SP delegation leader Dennis de Jong said ‘The Juncker team is unfortunately no break with the past. Budget fetishism, which has led to the current economic stagnation in Europe, will simply be continued. Moreover, Juncker has announced that in the policy areas of energy, foreign affairs and defence he wants more Brussels rather than less. Also, this team consists once again of people who are never satisfied with how much power they have. No heed has been paid to the message which those who voted in the European elections sent: less power to Brussels.’

22 October 2014

Van Bommel: Use of cluster bombs in Ukraine unacceptable

The use of cluster munition in populated areas is under all circumstances unacceptable. This was SP Member of Parliament Harry van Bommel’s reaction to the news that the Ukrainian army had deployed these weapons. Van Bommel is urging the Dutch government to reprimand Ukraine.

International