MP: Teach asylum seekers about LGBT, women's rights

PvdA parliamentarian Ahmed Marcouch wants asylum seekers to visit the Resistance museum, feminist magazine Opzij and gay interest group COC so that they can experience Dutch norms and values first hand. He also wants them to get Dutch language lessons as soon as they arrive in the country. The Labor parliamentarian said this to NPO Radio 1 on Thursday. "What we should avoid is making the same mistake as with my father's generation," Marcouch said. "Thinking that people will go back, while they remain. You must be clear about the asylum procedure on whether someone may remain, but language lessons from first reception also means someting for social stability. It is complicated both for the environment of the asylum center and for the refugees themselves if they do not learn the Dutch language and norms." Marcouch believes that a visit to the Resistance museum can teach refugees why antisemitism is "unacceptable" in the Netherlands. And a visit to Opzij can make clear how important equality of men and women is in the country. Insight into the present Netherlands can be enhanced by learning about the past, according to the parliamentarian. That integration from first reception will cost extra money is unavoidable, Marcouch said to Radio 1, which is something that State Secretary Klaas Dijkhoff of Security and Justice wants to avoid. "It is necessary, otherwise we will regret it later." According to the PvdA parliamentarian, the majority of his colleagues in the Tweede Kamer, lower house of parliament, is enthusiastic about his ideas to adapt the integration policy.