Asylum Distribution Law: 75,000 shelter spaces will be ready by July 1, COA expects

The Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) expects that 75,000 new reception places will be ready for use by July 1. That is three-quarters of the target stipulated in the Asylum Distribution Act, NOS reports.

Of the 75,000 new places, approximately 40,000 are in longer-term shelters and 35,000 are for emergency reception. The COA is relieved, saying that the implementation of the distribution act offers a “clearly workable perspective on a stable reception landscape.”

“This is good news because it brings more peace and stability,” said COA chairman Milo Schoenmaker. The COA is still in talks with many municipalities about opening asylum shelters.

In recent weeks, protests at information evenings about prospective shelters devolved into violence in several places. Earlier this week, the riot police had to intervene in Uden. Earlier this month, protesters tried to violently force their way into an information meeting in a sports hall in Best and threatened the mayor. And before that, protesters pelted the town hall with eggs and burning torches while demonstrating against an asylum center in Berlicum. There were also demonstrations by angry residents in Bussum, Bedum, and Roosendaal.

The violent protests are having an effect. An investigation by EenVandaag found that at least 14 municipalities have paused or scrapped plans for asylum shelters in recent months under pressure from angry residents. According to the program, that amounts to almost 3,000 reception places scrapped or postponed indefinitely.

Schoenmaker stressed the importance of having good correspondence with locals when it comes to sheltering asylum seekers. “The fact that this is important is also evident from current events. We are now seeing strong resistance in several palaces during the decision-making process. That is very undesirable for everyone,” he told NOS. “We know from experience that there is rarely any resistance once our locations have been open for a while.”

The Senate adopted the Asylum Distribution Act in January last year. The heavily contested law is intended to relieve pressure on the structurally overcrowded registration center in Ter Apel by forcing all municipalities to take in a fair share of asylum seekers. The intention was to create almost 100,000 reception places by July 1.

Asylum Minister Marjolein Faber (PVV) wants to scrap the distribution law, but so far, that has come to nothing.