International

Ministers Kaag and Bijleveld resigned in September because of the slow evacuation of Afghans who risked their own lives working for the Netherlands. State Secretary Broekers-Knol was involved in this as the person responsible for refugee policy but felt she could stay on.
After an interview last weekend, in which Broekers-Knol again showed unwillingness to implement the wishes of the House, SP MP Jasper van Dijk had had enough: 'A State Secretary who constantly impedes the evacuation, and juggles with figures has lost the SP's trust. Three strikes and you are out. That is why I have tabled a motion of no confidence.'

SP senator Tiny Kox has been nominated as chairman for the parliamentary assembly of the Council of Europe in 2022 and 2023. Following the rotation agreement between the five political groups, it is now up to the left-wing group to nominate a candidate.

ManiFiesta, the festival of solidarity, was organised for the 11th time this year by PVDA, the SP's Belgian sister party. The SP was also present, to raise awareness about the fight against nuclear weapons, among other things.

As of next year, new American nuclear weapons will be placed in Volkel. At the Volkel airbase, Dutch pilots are now ready to use the B-61-11 with their F-16s. The F-16s and its bombs are being replaced. Those bombs are for the F-35, which are equipped with the new B-61-12.

Despite the closure of Kabul airport, thousands of people are left in Afghanistan who are eligible for evacuation. The chances of them still getting to the Netherlands is small, especially after the horrific attacks that resulted in more than 85 deaths.

In 2007, the Dutch army was deployed at the battle of the Afghan Chora. 'The image we have of this military action is not sustainable,' say Jasper van Dijk and Jip van Dort.

It took many debates and proposals, but now the government has finally been convinced. Approximately 10,000 so-called 'amnesty recipients' will finally receive a passport after a 14-year wait. The people who were granted amnesty are the group of refugees who fell under the general amnesty in 2007. Due to bureaucracy, they did not receive a passport, which hindered their existence. They had a residence permit but no passport.

For decades, thousands of people at Defense had to work unprotected with hazardous substances. Many have become seriously ill or have passed away. Defence announced compensation, but for many victims that compensation is no more than 'a tip'. They shared their story at an emotional meeting preceding the debate in the House of Representatives. SP Member of Parliament Jasper van Dijk was present and brought their stories to the House. Van Dijk: 'It is heartbreaking to hear stories about people who are not believed by Defence. Or when you hear how much suffering they go through, but hardly get any recognition for it. These people have been plunged into misery by Defence and deserve generous compensation.”

Denouncing President Erdoğan’s onslaught on the democratic opposition in Turkey, The Left in the European Parliament, together with the Unified European Left at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe - chaired by SP-senator Tiny Kox - urge the EU to speak out against authoritarian repression in the country as leaders gather for this week’s summit in Brussels.