Dutch Cabinet Introduces New Measures to Tighten Asylum Policy

(MENAFN) The Dutch government on Friday announced its first steps toward tightening asylum regulations after emergency asylum legislation failed to secure approval in the Senate, according to reports.

Under the new plans introduced by Prime Minister Dilan Yesilgoz-Zegerius’ administration, authorities aim to speed up the process of declaring certain foreign nationals undesirable while also reinforcing border monitoring measures.

Dutch Asylum Minister Eddy van den Brink reportedly said the government would modify current legislation through a memorandum of amendment instead of drafting entirely new laws, explaining that this approach would allow the changes to move forward more quickly.

The proposed measure is aimed at asylum seekers involved in criminal activity within the Netherlands.

According to reports, individuals labeled as undesirable who refuse to leave the country could face prison sentences of up to one year.

The policy is also expected to extend in the future to individuals entering from countries outside Europe.

“We do want to offer people asylum, but not if you commit a crime,” Van den Brink said.

The measure would cover offenses carrying potential prison terms of at least two years, as well as repeated crimes that collectively meet that level of punishment.

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