Coalition party the VVD has proposed to make it a crime to rescue migrants from drowning at sea, despite international treaties making it an obligation.

The plan has a working majority in parliament, thanks to the support of cabinet partner the Christian Democrats (CDA) and the opposition PVV, FvD and SGP, according to NRC. However, the two smaller coalition parties, D66 and the ChristenUnie, are strongly opposed to the move. The issue has become a bone of contention in the Netherlands because of the Dutch-registered vessel Sea Watch 3’s role in rescuing migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean from north Africa.

Agi Hammerthief wrote:how do they propose to determine if those drowning are migrants?

Agi Hammerthief wrote:how do they propose to determine if those drowning are migrants?

Spearthrower wrote:Just boggles the mind. All these vaunted Western values are apparently paper fucking thin; they only apply to 'us' not 'them'.

Spearthrower wrote:

Agi Hammerthief wrote:how do they propose to determine if those drowning are migrants?

As it's got Christian party support, perhaps they're thinking of applying the old ways of determining a witch. If they sink and drown, they were innocent of being immigrants, if the float then they're immigrants and obviously they're doing just fine swimming, so let them swim home.

Blackadder wrote:

Agi Hammerthief wrote:how do they propose to determine if those drowning are migrants?

Pull them out, check their nationality and throw back the ones who don’t belong in that area?

I thought political insanity was largely a British phenomenon at this time. Clearly I was mistaken.

Spearthrower wrote:One benefit of a more robust democracy where there are more than 2 parties competing.

Ironclad wrote:That's pretty unpleasant, of course. Big issue with the 'saviours' though is that they'll collect leaking boatfulls from a mile or three from the coast of Libya to take them hundreds of miles north to 'safety'. They are complicit in illegal migration and should be considered to be directly endangering the desperate, making them think that a leaking boat stands a better chance.

Ironclad wrote:Yes. The world has got a lot smaller and people are willing to walk now and catch boat after boat until they succeed. Those in abject poverty, and those unwilling to wait for their own countries to provide a better future, will not be stopped. As a lousy analogy I have gotten in to Glastonbury festival maybe half a dozen times, I never paid once. I hitchhiked, walked miles of country lanes and would wait for a moment, I knew that once I was at that wall I would, somehow someway, get in, and I always did - there was no turning back.
In your photos I see two things - 1) a Syrian town reduced to rubble with a few people picking their way through the mess, and 2) an overloaded ship with African migrants. I see potential refugees, and I see likely economic migration.
For what it is worth.. eastern European countries have reported issues following their entry into the EU. Firstly they have suffered brain drain as their educated move away west for better opportunities and higher wages; they have their young people leaving also, again for new opportunities and exciting lifestyle. While the EU should enrich the new nation and provide money for infrastructure improvements (jobs and a better looking country), the young will leave anyway; after all, if you are young and seeking adventure, are you going to wait a decade for your country to provide it? No, why would you.
It may be said that immigration is good, and of course there are wonderful stories of success and economic boon. However, it has consequences for the host and the guest.
I personally think that the EU should think over their rules on free travel and maintain some balance for all member states. If they did this then Brexit could be broken, and EU would power forward.

Ironclad wrote:You see no value in anything I wrote, it seems Hermit. It is black and white for you huh: there are the liberal minded good guys, and there are the neo nazi wannabes.