Dutch news in brief, 1 November 2005

Smit calls for right to bear arms

Michael Smit, the leader of the right-wing party Nieuw Rechts, has called for members of the public to be allowed to defend themselves with weapons. Smit believes people should have the right to defend their homes, offices or shops with pepper spray, a baseball bat, a gun or other items. “Self-defence is allowed, but possession of a weapon is not. So if you are attacked you must rely on your fists while the criminal can always choose to use a weapon to make it easier to rob you,” Smit said.

Liberals block ban on glorifying terror

The Liberal Party (VVD) has upset its Christian Democrat (CDA) coalition partner by opposing a bid by Justice Minister Piet Hein Donner (CDA) to make it illegal to glorify acts of terrorism. MP Jozias van Aartsen, leader of the VVD in parliament, singled his party’s opposition to the move during a party meeting on Monday evening. D66, the smallest of the three government parties, has already come out against Donner’s plan.

Man killed by train

A 34-year-old man from Raalte in Overijssel Province was killed on Monday evening when he was hit by a train at a level crossing in the town. The victim was apparently attempting to cross the tracks with his son, 8, prior to the arrival of an approaching train. His son was uninjured. Train services between Raalte and Nijverdal were suspended for 90 minutes after the accident.

Connie’s ‘cancer cure’ to be tested

The Health Inspectorate and the Food and Consumer Products Safety Authority (VWA) have ordered an investigation into the ‘Haelan 951’ drink that celebrity Connie Breukhoven is promoting as medicine against cancer. The WVA said that if the product is a food supplement, it can not be called a medicine. If it is a medicine, it has to undergo a registration process, a VWA spokesperson said. The KWF cancer association has expressed serious doubt about whether the drink has any effect on cancer.

Subject: Dutch news