Nieuws van de afdeling

8 February 2006

WTO tries to force GM food down our throats

SP Member of Parliament Krista van Velzen has described as “idiotic” the World Trade Organisation's attempt to prevent the exclusion from the European Union of certain genetically modified organisms and foods containing or manufactured from them. “Countries in Europe must be able to decide for themselves whether they want to allow products whose effects on public health and the environment are unclear,” she said.

8 February 2006

Van Bommel demands effective protection for Dutch soldiers in Uruzgan

Despite the promises made by armed forces commanding officer Dick Berlijn that soldiers in Afghanistan would enjoy the highest level of security possible, they will not in fact be housed in armoured barracks. Armoured cabins will be used on the base in Uruzgan for the command centre, the dining hall and the infirmary, but not for the rooms in which Dutch soldiers will sleep.

6 February 2006

Increase in flow of workers from central and eastern Europe is disrupting labour market

The growing numbers of people from central and eastern European countries seeking employment in the Netherlands is leading to serious disruption of the labour market, exploitation and the forcing from the market of ever more Dutch workers, small employers, and self-employed people, according to a survey conducted by the SP. Yet the government is planning to make borders still more open in the near future. According to SP Member of Parliament Jan de Wit this will lead to even greater problems, including for the tens of thousands of young people currently being trained for work in the building industry and transport sector. Measures must be taken to put an end to exploitation and unfair competition.

2 February 2006

Military adventure won't bring peace to Afghanistan

“In politics there is no greater responsibility than that involved in the sending of military forces to a war zone,” said SP foreign affairs spokesman Harry van Bommel during the debate over the military mission to Afghanistan. “It's a matter of risking human lives for the benefit of oppressed people. The Netherlands has available well-equipped armed forces capable of achieving this. It's a difficult decision to weigh up.”

1 February 2006

SP questions EU accession for Romania and Bulgaria

The SP today proposed that approval of the treaty admitting Romania and Bulgaria to the European Union be delayed, foreign affairs spokesman Harry van Bommel arguing that it would be “illogical and undesirable to move to ratification at the present time”.

27 January 2006

European military police forerunners of European army

In the opinion of SP Euro-MP Erik Meijer, the European Gendarmerie Force (EGF) inaugurated in Italy last Monday will be the forerunner to a soon-to-be-established European army. Mr Meijer was speaking on the European programme of BBC World, broadcast on Saturday and again on Sunday. Also taking part were the French General Philippe Morillon and the British Tory Euro-sceptic Charles Tannock. In addition to this panel discussion involving Members of the European Parliament, the programme outlined the aims of the new European militarised police force which is intended to be in a position to send an 800-strong unit at thirty days' notice to anywhere in the world where trouble flares.

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