Netherlands bans 30 terrorist suspects

5 April 2006

AMSTERDAM — The number of foreigners denied residence in the Netherlands as undesirable aliens has more than doubled since 2000.

The power is mainly used against suspected criminals, though it is increasingly being applied to cases where a foreign resident is believed to have links to terrorism.

Immigration and Integration Minister Rita Verdonk declared 30 terrorist suspects to be undesirable aliens in the last 18 months, news programme ‘Nova’ reported on Wednesday. Sixteen of the suspects were deported. The remaining 14 had already left the country and were banned from returning.

‘Nova’ obtained the figures under the provisions of the freedom of information act (Wet Openbaarheid van Bestuur or WOB). In 2000, 974 foreigners were declared to be undesirable aliens. Last year 2,177 people were classified in this way.

A special unit has been operating within the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) since 2004 to deport people suspect of having links to terrorism. It has to date dealt with 30 people, who were identified as posing a potential security risk in the Netherlands.

Ten of the suspects are Algerian, six are Moroccan and nine are Asian. The group of undesirable aliens also includes four suspected members of the Dutch-Muslim terror ‘Hofstad’ group.

Verdonk has indicated she intends to make increasing use of the measure. “People who are a threat to public order and the security of the state don’t belong in the Netherlands. If I can declare them to be undesirable aliens, I will certainly do so, “she said.

The Immigration Minister has entered the contest to become election leader of the Liberal Party (VVD). The 40,000 members of the party will choose between her and junior Education Minister Mark Rutte next month. Verdonk is emphasising her ability to take decisive action, a skill she suggests Rutte lacks.

[Copyright Expatica News + ANP]

Subject: Dutch news