Opposition parties, green-left GroenLinks, Labour PvdA and the ChristenUnie are co-operating on a parliamentary motion to restrict housing rent increases to 2.2 percent. It is expected that housing corporations will increase rent by 3 percent from 1 July, but GroenLinks hopes to attract the support of government party Christian Democrat CDA to gain a necessary majority for its motion in the Lower House. MPs cannot force, however, a lower rent increase and it is hoped that the motion will prompt Housing Minister Sybilla Dekker to reach an agreement with tenants and landlords on a 2.2 percent rental increase ceiling.

Teen arrested after gun threat at school

Nijmegen police arrested a 17-year-old youth on Tuesday for allegedly threatening a 16-year-old student with a gun at school on Monday. Two other 17-year-olds were also arrested and police believe the victim had been involved in a dispute with the suspects. The youth lodged a report with police about the alleged threat during a lesson break and a firearm has been seized. The incident comes after a 16-year-old student shot and killed a teacher in The Hague last month.

Juvenile courts demand more rehab funding

Dutch Juvenile courts are demanding more funding for youth rehabilitation projects. Concern has been raised about the fact that money has been allocated for prison construction for juveniles in recent years, but not for the youth welfare system, Radio Netherlands reported. Judges working in juvenile courts claim the stress placed on punishment rather than rehabilitation is worrying. Justice Minister Piet Hein Donner has also admitted too many problem children are being detained without having committed a crime.

Boys arrested over paid sex blackmail

Two teenage boys from Zevenhuizen have been arrested for allegedly trying to blackmail a man with photos of a visit to a prostitute. The 15 and 16-year-old boys — who were aware of the man’s visit to a prostitute in Naaldwijk — were arrested on Monday. Both suspects are accused of breaking into a school last month and writing racist statements on school walls. They will appear before a judge on Thursday.
 
[Copyright Expatica News 2004]

Subject: Dutch news