Row over ‘dob-in’ website
Berlin – Ambassadors from 10 countries are to protest at a meeting with the Dutch Government today about a hotline set up by an anti-immigrant politician to record the ‘‘degeneration’’ of central and eastern Europeans.
Geert Wilders, who was cleared of incitement last year for his criticism of Islam, said that more than 40,000 people had responded to his website, which asks readers to submit examples of ‘‘nuisance, trouble, noise and drunkenness’’ caused by EU migrants from Poland, Hungary and neighbouring countries.
Wilders, the leader of the Freedom Party, remains unrepentant about the offence caused. But the row has grown into a diplomatic incident for the minority Rightwing government of Mark Rutte, who has refused to rebuke Wilders despite the growing criticism.
Rutte’s coalition relies on the Freedom Party’s support for its majority in the Dutch Parliament.
‘‘The statistics clearly show that our fellow citizens contribute significantly to the growth of the Dutch economy and the Dutch budget,’’ said the 10 ambassadors from countries including Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic in a letter released before today’s meeting with Uri Rosenthal, the Dutch Foreign Minister.
‘‘The truth also is that our citizens do not take jobs from the Dutch. This encourages negative perception of a particular group of EU citizens working in the Netherlands.’’
The letter called on the Dutch to ‘‘distance themselves from this deplorable initiative’’.
There are between 200,000 and 350,000 central and eastern Europeans living in the Netherlands under the EU’S freedom of movement policy.
Asked to respond to the diplomatic complaints, Wilders said: ‘‘My reaction to the ambassadors is mind your own business. This has nothing to do with your country.’’
But repercussions have begun, with local Poles launching a website, Pro-poles, so people can share ‘‘positive experiences with Polish workers’’.
Rutte was called on by the European Parliament yesterday to speak out. ‘‘We especially call on the Dutch prime minister to declare the position of his government on this issue and come before the European Parliament to explain his deafening silence,’’ said Joseph Daul, the European People’s Party chairman. ‘‘I am angered that anyone could attack fellow Europeans.’’