European Parliament condemns Dutch anti-immigrant web site

photo - European Parliament Audiovisual Unit

The resolution says the web site run by MP Geert Wilders’ Freedom Party is incompatible with European values such as “human dignity, freedom, equality, rule of law and respect for human rights and threatens the foundations of the EU, which represents pluralism, non-discrimination , tolerance, justice, solidarity and freedom of movement ".

The motion was adopted by a huge majority of members of the European Parliament (MEPs), Thursday, prepared jointly by the six largest political groups.

The Geert Wilders web site invites Dutch citizens to send in information on criminal activity by central and eastern European workers in the Netherlands.

Yet these workers, says the resolution, "contribute to economic growth in the Netherlands," and cites research by the University of Rotterdam to that effect.

MEPs called for an investigation into whether the web site has caused "incitement to hatred and discrimination" following reports last week of cars with Polish registration plates being burnt and vandalised.

The MEP’s resolution also "strongly urges the Dutch Prime Minister Marek Rutte to condemn and distance himself from this regrettable initiative."

The Dutch prime minister has so far failed to condemn the web site, saying that it is run by an independent political party.

The Freedom Party however currently supports Rutte’s right wing minority government in the Dutch parliament.

The resolution also notes that "the Dutch government's policy commitment to European integration has weakened in recent years", which is reflected in the government's position on issues such as the enlargement of the border free Schengen zone to include Romania and Bulgaria. (pg)