Asylum seekers removed from Oosterpark

The asylum seekers that left their temporary accommodation in of Vluchthaven penitentiary at a judge’s orders, have now been removed from Oosterpark.

Police cleared the park Wednesday night, after authorities reported that about two groups had taken refuge there. The 100 asylum seekers who have been wandering through Amsterdam since 2012 when their asylum requests got concluded, got permission last November to move temporarily into the VLuchthaven penitentiary. This stay was supposed to be for six months, but as they refused to leave when the time was due, a Judge ruled that they had till 11.00pm Wednesday night to leave. They left the penitentiary Wednesday afternoon and set up camp in Oosterpark. “It’s rainy weather and they are out on the street. This is terrible,” said Marjan Sax who is assisting the people. A couple of tents were erected for them, but they were removed Wednesday night. The police operation was carried out without incidents and the asylum seekers were transferred to Muiderkerk, near the park. Sax said they had initially been concerned when they were instructed that they had to leave the park before 11.00pm, but they calmed down when they realized they could spend the night in the church. “It’s a beautiful, modern church with fantastic sanitary arrangements,” she said. The further fate of the asylum seekers would be decided today.