International

Support for an ad hoc tribunal to try those responsible for the war against Ukraine is good news. But quick action is called for. The proposal to set up an ad hoc tribunal to provide trial for the 'crime of aggression' was first made by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe last year. International law, blatantly violated in the illegal invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022, already provides for the prosecution and trial of most crimes related to this war.

SP senator Tiny Kox is elected for a second term as the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. Kox received 175 of the 223 votes cast and managed to be elected for the second time with a large majority of votes.

At the annual SP Peace Day in Amersfoort, experts talked about war and peace in Europe. Led by SP MP Jasper van Dijk, a variety of speakers talked about the war in Ukraine, opportunities for peace in Europe, human rights and multilateralism.

The war in Ukraine rages on and is claiming many victims. Nevertheless, one day there will be a cessation of hostilities. How should the International Rule of Law proceed after that? What are the chances for a new European security order? 

Almost half of all Dutch people are turning the heating down or even turning it off altogether, even as temperatures outside are plummeting. Many people face financial difficulties because of increased costs. The SP believes there should be compensation for households, but the current price cap is not the solution. For this reason, SP MP Renske Leijten is putting forward proposals to organise compensation in a fair way. 

'The investigation into Dutch support for the Syrian opposition underlines what the SP and various media have previously stated, parliament was lied to', says SP MP Jasper van Dijk. This is the conclusion of the investigative report of the Cammaert Committee. The government was not honest about the aid programme, which did indeed violate international law and the principle of non-intervention: 'Some elements of the support contravene the prohibition on violence to a limited degree.'

In the recent sports budget debate, the SP argued that sports clubs and facilities such as swimming pools must not close due to increased energy tariffs. We need a rescue plan for sports, says SP MP Michiel van Nispen. The Minister's plan is really too little.

Tiny Kox, president of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) made the following statement concerning the verdict issued in the MH 17 court case.

Housing associations are no commercial companies and therefore should not pay an extra tax intended for tax-evading multinationals. This is the proposal of SP MP Sandra Beckerman. Today, the Lower House will debate the housing budget. Housing corporations are institutions authorised by the minister to regulate our public housing system, and they should be working on lowering rents, improving and making homes more sustainable and building new houses.