MIL Publishing Engine 1

Source: Government of the Netherlands

News item | 12-11-2021 | 20:45

To enable society to reopen as fully and as safely as possible after these three weeks, while keeping the infection rate manageable, the government is working to make coronavirus entry passes mandatory by law in additional sectors and the workplace. Preparations are also being made to allow businesses to choose whether to apply a 2G or 3G entry policy. Parliament will have to approve any such legislation.

Short-term measures

• Everyone must stay 1.5 metres from others in areas or venues where a coronavirus entry pass is not required.
• Face masks are mandatory in areas or venues where a coronavirus entry pass is not required.
• Businesses providing non-essential goods and services, such as clothes shops, contact-based services such as hair salons, and casinos must close at 18.00.
• Food and drink venues and shops selling essential goods, such as supermarkets, pet shops and chemists, must close at 20.00.
• Coronavirus entry passes and assigned seats are mandatory in food and drink venues.
• Events must end at 18.00. Coronavirus entry passes and assigned seats are mandatory, and there is a limit of 1,250 visitors per space.
• The mandatory closing time does not apply to artistic and cultural performances, for instance in cinemas, theatres and concert halls.
• Spectators are not allowed at professional or amateur sports events. There are no further restrictions for sports.
• People are advised to work from home unless that is impossible.
• No more than four visitors are allowed in your home in a day.
• If someone in your household tests positive for coronavirus, that person must self-isolate, and everyone else in the household must self-quarantine, whether they are vaccinated or not.
• In secondary vocational (MBO) and higher education (HBO and universities), the maximum group size, not including staff, is 75 people per room. This does not apply to spaces where examinations are sat.

A complete overview of measures, conditions and exceptions can be found on the page ‘Measures in brief’. 

Financial support will be available for businesses directly affected by these new coronavirus restrictions, such as retailers and food and drink venues. The government will provide more details about this support for businesses next week.

These new measures come on top of the measures that already apply, including the basic rules, mandatory face masks and the coronavirus entry pass system. Get tested if you have any symptoms of COVID-19, even if you’re fully vaccinated.

Proposed longer-term measures

If we succeed in reversing the current trend in the weeks ahead and the number of positive cases falls, the government believes it will be possible to reopen society as fully and as safely as possible. We will then be able to roll out the coronavirus entry pass system more widely. Legislation is being drafted that will make coronavirus entry passes mandatory for most shops and for venues like zoos and amusement parks. The legislation will also allow employers to check coronavirus entry passes in the workplace. The government had already announced these legislative proposals last week. A new proposal is being added to these. The government wants to give businesses subject to the coronavirus entry pass system the ability to choose between a 3G door policy (proof of vaccination or recovery, or a negative test result) with assigned seating, and a 2G policy (proof of vaccination or recovery only) without assigned seating. This legislative proposal will be sent to parliament as soon as possible.

Vaccine booster campaign to begin sooner

The COVID-19 vaccine booster campaign is starting (in Dutch only) on Friday 19 November for people aged 80 and over who can come to a vaccination centre themselves, care home residents aged 18 and over, and healthcare workers who come into contact with patients. A booster is an extra dose of vaccine that people get on top of their initial vaccinations. This ensures a high level of protection against serious illness and helps reduce the number of hospital admissions.

Source: Government of the Netherlands

News item | 04-11-2021 | 12:28

Ministers Grapperhaus (Justice and Security) and De Jonge (Health, Welfare and Sport) reported the above to the Lower House in a letter today. They will work with growers and the relevant mayors to establish a start date for delivery to coffee shops during the so-called transition phase of the experiment. The municipalities now need to join forces with the growers and the surrounding communities to decide on the most appropriate farm set-up and communication about it for the location in question.

Important planning factors

In the period ahead, several factors will be important for planning, such as the time needed to prepare the growing locations and obtain permits under the Environmental and Planning Act. There has to be enough hemp and hashish to supply the coffee shops, and the quality and diversity of the products has to be right too.

The transition phase

During the transition phase, the participating coffee shops will be able to sell the hemp products grown by the cannabis-growing farms – as part of the experiment – as well as any products they were already allowed to sell before. The weed-experiment phase will start after the transition phase and will continue for four years. During the experiment phase, participating coffee shops will only be allowed to sell hemp and hashish supplied by the designated growers as part of the closed coffee shop chain.

The aim is for the designated growers to meet the conditions applicable and for the transition phase to start at some point in the second half of 2022. Once the start date has been determined, ongoing monitoring will take place to see whether the planning is realistic and identify opportunities for acceleration.

Prospective growers

In the coming period, it will be possible to select a maximum of three growers to join the current seven designated growers in the weed experiment. This selection procedure is still ongoing. When designing the weed experiment, the government decided that a maximum of ten cannabis growing farms could participate, which would ensure that supply was efficient.

Source: Government of the Netherlands

News item | 02-11-2021 | 19:15

Greater focus on the basic rules

First of all, it is important that everyone continues to follow the basic rules, even if they have been vaccinated. The better we do this together, the less the virus can spread and the fewer restrictive measures will be necessary. The basic rules have proved successful in preventing infections.

The basic rules:

• Get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms: stay at home and get tested by the municipal health service (GGD), even if you’ve been vaccinated.
• If you test positive, stay at home and avoid contact with others, even if they have been vaccinated.
• 1.5 metres is a safe distance. Protect yourself and others.
• Don’t shake hands.
• Wash your hands thoroughly and regularly.
• Cough and sneeze into your elbow.
• Ensure a good flow of fresh air indoors.

Working from home and advice for travel

From 3 November 2021, the current advice for working from home will be tightened. From that date onwards, you should work from home for at least half of your normal hours. We know that working from home is an efficient way to combat the spread of coronavirus. It helps to reduce the frequency of contact between people.

If you do have to go to work or you go on a trip during your leisure time, avoid busy places while travelling and go outside peak hours.

Face masks mandatory in more places

From 6 November, face masks will be mandatory again at more locations. You must once again wear a face mask in all indoor public spaces where coronavirus entry passes are not required. This includes:

• inside all buildings accessible to the public and in covered areas where coronavirus entry passes are not required, such as:
  • supermarkets, shops, libraries, play and gaming venues, amusement parks, etc.; 
• on public transport, at stations (including shops at stations), on platforms and at bus and tram stops;
• at airports and on aircraft;
• when moving around secondary vocational schools (MBO) and higher education institutions (HBO and universities). You can take your face mask off when seated;
• where necessary, in the case of contact-based professions. This applies to both the client and the service provider.

You must wear a face mask in these places. If you do not, you risked being fined €95.

Coronavirus entry pass required at more places

From 6 November, coronavirus entry passes will be required at more locations. Using the entry pass system reduces the likelihood of the virus circulating at these locations. Only admitting people who have recovered from COVID-19, have been vaccinated or have tested negative considerably lowers the risk of infection for all visitors. Although the system cannot rule out the possibility of becoming infected, it does ensure that people can come together as safely as possible. It also helps to keep most locations open at full capacity.

It is important that all locations where a coronavirus entry pass is required scan the pass and check the person’s ID. All visitors must show their personal QR code and a valid form of ID.

Coronavirus entry passes are required from 6 November: 

• at establishments serving food and drinks, both indoors and in outdoor seating areas, except for takeaway;
• at casinos;
• at cultural locations such as theatres, music venues and cinemas;
• at locations where there is a continuous flow of visitors in sectors where coronavirus entry passes are already required. This includes museums and historic buildings;
• at events with a continuous flow of visitors who do not have an assigned seat, such as fun fairs and certain sports events;
• at events such as festivals and live performances, whether or not visitors have an assigned seat;
• at business events, such as trade fairs and conferences;
• for spectators at professional and amateur sports matches and competitions. Spectators under the age of 18 at amateur sports matches and competitions are exempt from this requirement;
• when taking part in organised sports activities from the age of 18. This includes gyms, group lessons, football and swimming. This applies to participants and spectators at all indoor and outdoor sports facilities, including sports canteens and clubhouses;
• when taking part in artistic and cultural activities from the age of 18, such as music and painting lessons and singing, dance and theatre rehearsals.

Organised activities for children aged under 18 are exempt from the coronavirus entry pass requirement.

You can get a coronavirus entry pass if you are fully vaccinated, have valid proof of recovery or a negative result from a coronavirus test taken less than 24 hours before entry. For people without proof of vaccination or recovery, getting tested for entry will remain free of charge.

You can generate a coronavirus entry pass using the CoronaCheck app on your mobile phone. You can also show a coronavirus entry pass on paper. Staff at hospitality establishments and organisers of events, sports matches and cultural activities can download the CoronaCheck Scanner app, so that they can easily check the validity of entry passes.

Booster vaccinations

From December, booster vaccination rollout will begin for everyone aged 80 and over who can come to a GGD vaccination location. All adult residents aged 18 and over at care institutions that have their own medical service will also be offered a booster vaccination from that time. These people can get an extra dose on top of the two doses they have already received (or after one dose in the case of the Janssen vaccine) as additional protection against serious illness and hospitalisation. From January, people aged between 60 and 80 will be invited to receive a booster vaccination, with the oldest people in this group being invited first. From next month, a booster will also be offered to healthcare workers who have direct contact with patients.

Looking ahead

The government is preparing other measures that may need to be taken in the near future if we cannot curb the trend in infections. At locations where visitors are required to show a coronavirus entry pass, such as in the hospitality sector, the government wants employers to ask their employees to also show a coronavirus entry pass. In addition, we want to make it possible for employers in other sectors to opt for coronavirus entry passes. This option should also be open to the healthcare sector, for both staff and visitors. And finally, the government wants to be able to introduce coronavirus entry passes at other locations that large numbers of people visit on a daily basis, such as non-essential shops, as well as zoos and amusement parks. These measures must be able to be used specifically in towns and villages with a low vaccination rate and a high number of infections and hospital admissions.

These measures are being prepared in consultation with parties such as employers and employees. They also require parliamentary approval. The situation will be reassessed on 12 November following advice from the Outbreak Management Team (OMT).

Source: Government of the Netherlands

News item | 14-09-2021 | 19:08

Coronavirus entry pass is extra safeguard

The coronavirus entry pass system is being introduced for locations that will get busier when the 1.5 metre distancing rule is lifted. The aim is to keep the risk of transmission as low as possible while enabling people to socialise as safely as possible. The system also plays an important part in allowing most locations to open at maximum capacity – and to stay open.

As of 25 September, the coronavirus entry pass system will apply to bars and restaurants (but not takeaways), events (such as festivals, concerts and professional sports matches), and cultural venues (such as cinemas and theatres). Whether people have a fixed seat or not, and whether the location is indoors or outdoors, everyone aged 13 and over will have to show a valid coronavirus entry pass to gain admission. Everyone aged 14 and over will also have to show their ID along with their coronavirus entry pass.

All hospitality establishments must be closed between midnight and 06.00. All events will once again be allowed, but visitors will have to show a coronavirus entry pass. Events held outdoors, or indoors with fixed seating, are not subject to a maximum number of visitors or a compulsory end time, but they must close at midnight. Events held indoors without fixed seating can receive up to 75% of the maximum number of visitors and must be closed between midnight and 06.00. The government is developing support measures for nightclubs and discos and for events that are subject to capacity limitations. The details will be announced as soon as possible.

You can get a coronavirus entry pass if you are fully vaccinated, have valid proof of recovery or a negative result from a coronavirus test taken less than 24 hours before entry. For people without proof of vaccination or recovery, getting tested will remain free of charge.

You can generate a coronavirus entry pass using the CoronaCheck app on your mobile phone. Staff at hospitality establishments and organisers of events, sports matches and cultural activities can get the CoronaCheck Scanner app, so that they can easily check the validity of entry passes.

Basic rules still apply

Many measures have been lifted and we have gotten many of our freedoms back. But the virus has not gone away. It’s still important to keep following the basic rules, even if you’re fully vaccinated. Staying 1.5 metres from others is no longer mandatory, but is now an urgent advice. As long as the virus is circulating, giving each other space is common sense, and 1.5 metres is a safe distance that’s proven to help prevent transmission of the virus. Just like the other basic rules: washing hands, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, not shaking hands, staying home and getting tested by the GGD if you have symptoms, and ensuring a good flow of fresh air indoors.

The advice to work from home unless that is impossible is being modified. The advice is now: work from home if you can, and go to the office if you must. It’s up to employers and employees to make satisfactory arrangements on hours worked at home and at the office.

Face masks mandatory on public transport and at airports

Face masks are still mandatory in airports (in any case the airside area and any other locations designated by airport management, such as arrival and departure halls), on aircraft, trains, buses, trams and metros, in taxis and on other commercial passenger transport. Face masks no longer need to be worn in train stations and at bus, tram and metro stops.

Education

As of 25 September, the maximum group size of 75 people in secondary vocational and higher education will be abolished.

Face masks no longer need to be worn outside classrooms and lecture halls at institutions for secondary, secondary vocational and higher education.

If there is an isolated positive case in a daycare group or primary school class, it is no longer mandatory for everyone in the group or class to self-quarantine and get tested.

Third dose and booster shots

People with a severe immune system disorder will receive an invitation from their attending doctor to get a third vaccine dose.

The vaccines are still very effective in preventing serious COVID-19 and death, so the Health Council of the Netherlands advises against booster shots for the general population at this time.

Travel

The rules on self-quarantining for people travelling to the Netherlands will change as of 22 September. Vaccinated travellers from very high risk areas such as the United States or the United Kingdom no longer have to self-quarantine on arrival in the Netherlands. Prepare your journey well. Before you leave, check the travel advice on wijsopreis.nl (in Dutch) and reizentijdenscorona.rijksoverheid.nl/en.

The government remains alert

The above measures will enter into effect on 25 September and will apply until further notice. If the number of hospital and ICU admissions remains low for a longer period of time, the government will lift some of the measures still in place. But the government will remain alert. If there is a sudden spike in the number of people admitted to hospital or the ICU, extra measures may be needed. The government will try to take targeted measures where possible. The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and the government are staying alert to the emergence of new coronavirus variants.

Source: Government of the Netherlands

News item | 03-09-2021 | 09:00

Changes to list of safe countries within the EU

Within the EU, Germany and Hungary will be designated high-risk areas. This means that travellers from these countries will need to show a COVID certificate (proof of vaccination or recovery or a negative test result) when travelling to the Netherlands. This requirement will come into effect on 6 September 9:00. Consult the travel advice (in Dutch) to find out what documents you need to show.
 

Changes regarding countries outside the EU

As of 4 September 0:01 the following countries will be designated as a very high-risk area:

• the United States
• Israel
• Kosovo
• Montenegro
• North Macedonia 

Measures

• This means the EU entry ban will apply to these countries. People travelling from these countries will only be able enter the Netherlands if they are fully vaccinated or fall under one of the exemption categories for the EU entry ban.
• They are also required to quarantine for 10 days on arrival as of 4 september 9:00.
• As of 6 September 9:00, they must also show a negative test result. Proof of recovery or vaccination will no longer be sufficient.

Lebanon: high-risk area

Lebanon will be designated a high-risk area and fall under the EU entry ban as of 4 September 0:01, with fully vaccinated travellers exempt from the entry ban. The current COVID certificate requirement will remain unchanged.

Changes regarding countries where there is a variant of concern

As of 4 September 0:01 am, the category ‘very high-risk area where there is a variant of concern’ will cease to exist. Additional measures had been in place for the 16 countries in this category (South Africa and countries in South and Central America). As of 4 September 0:01 these countries will be moved to either the category ‘high-risk area’ or the category ‘very high-risk area’.

Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay will be designated high-risk areas. Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Panama, Suriname, Venezuela and South Africa will be designated very high-risk areas.

As of 4 September 0:01, travellers who have been fully vaccinated or fall under one of the exemption categories for the EU entry ban will be able to enter the EU. The requirement for some travellers to show two negative test results will be lifted. However, other requirements still apply. People travelling from a high-risk area must show a COVID certificate (proof of vaccination or recovery or a negative test result) and the health declaration. People travelling from a very high-risk area must show a negative test result (proof of vaccination or recovery is not sufficient) and the health declaration, and must comply with the mandatory quarantine requirement.

The EU travel ban will come into effect at 4 september 0:01, the mandatory quarantine requirement at 4 september 9:00 and test obligations at 6 september 9:00.

Source: Government of the Netherlands

News item | 13-08-2021 | 19:10

30 August: 1.5 metre rule to be lifted in MBO and higher education settings

In the new academic year, students can attend on-site teaching at MBOs, HBOs and universities. The 1.5 metre rule will no longer apply here. There will, however, be a number of additional conditions in place to ensure on-site learning can take place in a responsible way. This includes a maximum group size of 75 people and the use of facemasks outside lessons and lectures. Preventative self-testing is still strongly advised.
It is in students’ best interests to be taught on site. Lifting the 1.5 metre rule will help ensure the new academic year gets off to the best possible start.

Other measures extended

All other measures will be extended until 19 September inclusive. In restaurants, bars and cafés, guests must have an assigned seat and these establishments must still close at midnight. Live and screened entertainment is not permitted. Nightclubs and similar venues will remain closed. The measures in place for events will also be extended. The credit guarantee scheme for events and supplementary compensation scheme for events will therefore be extended until 19 September inclusive. The advice to work from home as much as possible and to avoid travelling at peak times will remain in force. 

Free-of-charge testing for people travelling abroad will be extended until 30 September inclusive. Appointments can be made through Testenvoorjereis.nl (choose English). 

Intended from 20 September: 1.5 metre rule to be lifted everywhere

The government plans to lift the 1.5 metre rule across the rest of society from 20 September. Most other restrictions will also be lifted at the same time. Nightclubs and similar venues will still remain closed at this stage, however.

From 20 September the coronavirus entry pass system must be used at restaurants, cafés, bars, events (such as festivals and sports events with spectators) and cultural venues (such as cinemas and theatres) where more than 75 people are present. This applies both indoors and outdoors, regardless of whether guests have an assigned seat. People can generate a coronavirus entry pass if they have been fully vaccinated, have valid proof of recovery or have a negative test result for a test taken less than 24 hours before entry to the venue in question. People who need a negative test result to create an entry pass can currently get tested for free. From a date yet to be determined they will have to pay a contribution towards the cost of their test.

Before taking the decision to lift the 1.5 metre rule in MBO, HBO and university settings, the government asked the Outbreak Management Team to issue an advisory opinion. It will do the same before deciding whether or not to take the next step in September. Vaccination coverage and the infection rate will be decisive in this regard.

The government hopes it will be possible to stop using the coronavirus entry pass system within the Netherlands and to lift remaining restrictions as of 1 November.

Getting vaccinated without an appointment

The government is doing its utmost to make getting vaccinated against coronavirus as simple as possible. At a number of municipal health service (GGD) vaccination centres it is now possible to get a first dose without an appointment. An overview of these walk-in vaccination centres is available on Prikkenzonderafspraak.nl. 

Basic rules still apply

Following the  basic rules remains as important as ever, even if you have been vaccinated. This means staying 1.5 metres away from others (until this rule is lifted), washing your hands, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, staying at home and getting tested if you have symptoms and ensuring a good flow of fresh air indoors.

High vaccination coverage does not mean coronavirus has gone away. It will continue to circulate in the Netherlands and elsewhere, and new variants may develop. That’s why it is important that everyone who has symptoms gets tested, even if they have already been vaccinated. This will allow us to keep track of the virus and stay alert to any sudden increases in the infection rate.
 

Source: Government of the Netherlands

News item | 27-06-2023 | 16:25

A dispute or legal problem can happen to anyone. Life events, such as the ending of a relationship, losing a job or a conflict with an employer, but also everyday activities, such as making purchases, often have a legal aspect. In most cases, managing that legal dimension does not pose any problems. When a legal problem or dispute does arise, however, not everyone is able to find a suitable solution. Minister Weerwind aims to change that.

Minister Weerwind:

“Everyone should be able to resolve a legal problem or dispute in an accessible, lasting and appropriate way. This is about so much more than going to court. An appropriate solution can also be found with the help of a mediator, by making payment arrangements or by submitting the dispute to a disputes committee. This is why I am taking steps to strengthen not only the process of going to court, but also the use of these options.”

Concrete measures

To strengthen access to legal services, Minister Weerwind is taking additional measures on top of ongoing initiatives. These measures focus on improving the availability of information, increasing the accessibility of (legal) advice and support, and lowering the threshold for obtaining a decision from a neutral body, such as the courts.

Information on solutions to common legal problems and disputes should be accessible, understandable and objective. This is why, for example, the central government website is being updated. To encourage the use of mediation, from 1 March, when referred from the judiciary, mediation will be free of charge for the first two and a half hours. This initial fee will apply for two years and, if it is successful, will become structural. In addition, Minister Weerwind intends to increase the use of restorative justice so that victims and suspects or convicts can discuss and remedy the effects of a (potentially) criminal offence more often. To achieve this, Minister Weerwind is investing an additional €1.2 million.

Another measure Minister Weerwind is taking is to reduce court fees. This comprises fees paid by everyone who wants to bring a case to court. These fees will be reduced by around 13.5 per cent compared to the prevailing price level for most cases. Citizens and businesses can also submit their dispute to a dispute resolution committee. This is a low-threshold approach to dispute resolution. The Stichting Geschillencommissies voor Consumentenzaken (Foundation for Consumer Disputes Committees) plays an important role in this. The subsidy to this organisation will be structurally increased by €260,000.

Approach

Minister Weerwind consulted numerous parties, such as the judiciary, representatives of the legal professions and interest groups, to identify bottlenecks and possible measures to complement existing initiatives to strengthen access to justice. A survey was also conducted among citizens and entrepreneurs who have faced legal issues. Minister Weerwind indicated that the measures announced are a first step. A continued effort will be made, in collaboration with parties, to further strengthen access to justice.

Source: Government of the Netherlands

News item | 26-06-2023 | 16:30

For vocational and continuing education of convicts, 5 million euros will be allocated. This will enhance the collaboration between the Judicial Organisation and labour organisations and improve the education offered to prisoners. In addition, 5 million euros will be allocated to collaboration between various parties. These funds can be used, for example, to improve knowledge exchange between staff of prisons, probation officers, municipalities and care & security houses. An additional 2 million euros will also be allocated to municipalities in their guidance of convicts towards work or housing. With this, municipalities can also assist in other basic conditions, such as arranging an identity document, healthcare (insurance), debt assistance and building a sound social network.

‘After a misstep, everyone deserves a second chance. The extra investment will help inmates properly return to society outside prison walls. In this way, we prevent them from falling back into crime and offer them prospects to rebuild their lives in a good and honest way,’ Minister Weerwind stated.

Proof of identity

As of 1 September, detainees can apply for a Dutch ID card from prison, even if they are registered in a different municipality. Municipalities in which a prison is located will be authorised to this effect. For successful reintegration, it is important that prisoners have proof of identity while they are still serving their prison sentence. Without ID, for example, it is not possible to find work or accommodation. This new procedure prevents detainees from leaving prison without a valid proof of identity. This measure was established in close collaboration with the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations.

Source: Government of the Netherlands

News item | 26-06-2023 | 13:00

I n 2022, 83,080 asylum seekers were residing at a COA location or crisis emergency shelter. Of this group, 7% were involved in an incident of verbal aggression (such as swearing and threats), physical aggression (such as hitting, and kicking), non-verbal aggression (such as aggressive attitude or gestures), verbal suicide threats or self-destructive actions. Among asylum seekers in reception, 3% were suspected of a crime. Nationalities with relatively high numbers of suspects are Algerian (44%), Moroccan (33%) and Tunisian (31%). The WODC concludes this and more in its report.

State Secretary Eric van der Burg:

“With the increase in the number of asylum seekers, nuisance and crime rates are also rising. Each incident is unacceptable and is one too many. We must join forces with the organisations in the asylum chain and the Public Prosecution Service and ensure that asylum seekers are not given room for misconduct.”

Cracking down on misconduct

Against asylum seekers who abuse the Netherlands’ hospitality and cause nuisance and/or behave criminally, a firm approach is appropriate. Organisations in the asylum chain are working hard to quickly process asylum applications from people who cause nuisance and to ensure return to the country of origin or transfer to the responsible Dublin Member State after a rejection.

For asylum seekers who commit crimes, the Public Prosecution Service applies an expedited approach. This makes it clear to the accused that committing a crime has immediate criminal consequences. Where possible, accelerated or super-expedited proceedings are applied. Local government, the asylum chain and society must be confident that crimes will not be tolerated.

Providing prompt clarity on asylum applications and bringing suspects quickly to trial for crimes must ensure that potentially disruptive individuals are discouraged from still entering the Netherlands.

Preventing nuisance

The impact of persons causing nuisance on the surrounding area is great. Prevention is therefore essential, for instance by deploying street surveillance teams, as in the municipalities of Westerwolde, Cranendonck and Delfzijl, and by facilitating municipalities in local initiatives. A targeted approach remains necessary to keep reception locations safe and liveable for asylum seekers, staff and local residents alike. One example is the deployment of COA’s Ambulatory Support Team for locations where nuisance occurs and intensive supervision of residents who display (potentially) disruptive behaviour by COA-trained employees.

Greater insight into the motives of residents who cause nuisance helps to more effectively implement prevention and measures. The corresponding survey is expected to be published before the end of the year.

Source: Government of the Netherlands

News item | 26-06-2023 | 07:00

Instructional materials for sexually abusing children have been circulating the so-called dark web of the internet for some time. These describe, among other things, how to ‘hunt’ for children, seduce a child and gain a child’s trust. Such a manual puts children at risk as it provides a breeding ground for the child abuser to make his move.

Sexual abuse of children is one of the most devastating forms of crime for the victims and those around them. Children have a fundamental right to a safe environment in which to grow up. It is horrific and unacceptable that people are engaged in sharing advice on how to abuse children. Abusive situations – offline and online – must be stopped. In this process, we must also prevent children from ending up in abusive situations to the greatest extent possible,”

said Justice and Security Minister Yesilgöz-Zegerius.

The minister therefore deems it vital to increase early action against potential child abusers. The new penal provision broadens the tools for early action.