Protests are spreading across the Netherlands over a law forcing municipalities to accept quotas of asylum seekers.
Prime Minister Rob Jetten has responded by condemning “intimidation, violence, and vandalism” during the demonstrations, but his remarks drew criticism for failing to address why many residents are protesting in the first place.
NieuwRechts columnist Sander Sassen said the PM’s “nauseating” comments featured “not a word about understanding the legitimate concerns of the residents,” and asked:
Is their safety not a priority? Where do you think that resistance and that popular fury come from?
Earlier this month, women marched through the town of Apeldoorn to protest plans for a new asylum centre. One participant said she had attended “for safety,” and described facing “whistling, shouting,” and other intimidating behaviour in public.
In 2024 alone, officials registered 16,200 incidents of verbal threats, self-harm, physical aggression, and violence at migrant reception sites—an increase of 21% on 2023’s figure. NieuwRechts reports that while most cases involved property crimes, more serious violence remains a recurring problem.
PVV leader Geert Wilders is calling on municipalities to take legal action against the asylum distribution law.
Jetten has announced his intention to “crack down hard on people who think they can get their way through violence or intimidation. Because they make it impossible for residents to make their voices heard in a normal way.”
Wilders later responded that the PM “has zero understanding of millions of citizens who are utterly fed up,” adding: “The resistance will only grow as a result.”