Brabant town says no to asylum center; Three arrested

By Janene Pieters on February 19, 2016 - 13:00
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Anti-asylum center flyer in Heesch, 16 Feb 2016 (Photo: @NataschavanH/Twitter). (Anti-asylum center flyer in Heesch, 16 Feb 2016 (Photo: @NataschavanH/Twitter))

There will be no asylum center in the Brabant town of Heesch. The municipal council of Bernheze voted against it on Thursday, RTL Nieuws reports. 

Several dozen protesters gathered outside the town hall to demonstrate against the asylum center, though everything remained relatively calm. three people were arrested.

The municipality of Bernheze initially plan to house up to 500 asylum seekers in Heesch for up to 10 years. After violent protests and threats, that plan was taken off the table. The municipality then discussed smaller shelters. This proposal also did not make it.

The municipal council does want to provide accommodation to more refugees - asylum seekers with a residency permit. They plan to accommodate 1.5 to 2 times more refugees than required by law.

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