Mayors demand that the government develop stricter rules against cults

The 14 mayors in the Twente region have issued an urgent letter to the national government, calling for stricter regulations on cults. Among other things, they want cult leaders and abuse to be dealt with more firmly and are calling for the establishment of a new reporting center.

“Municipalities are receiving signals about destructive cults, but current legislation offers insufficient tools to respond effectively,” they wrote to outgoing ministers David van Weel (Justice) and Daniëlle Jansen (Health).

Regional media outlets recently reported that there have been allegations of abuse for years at the Pater Pio Foundation, a controversial Christian group in Tubbergen. According to the mayors, such reports “underline the relevance and urgency of this issue.”

The Cabinet is working on a bill to tighten regulations on cults. The Twente officials are supportive but believe that municipalities should be given more leeway to act earlier when signs of wrongdoing emerge, in order to protect their residents.

At present, there is a lack of coordination in addressing abuses within cults and following up on reports, the mayors stated. According to them, the Public Prosecution Service, inspectorates, and police operate too much in isolation due to the absence of a clear point of contact.

They also fear that, because of the lack of strict regulations, the Netherlands could become a safe haven for cults. Nearby countries such as France and the United Kingdom already have stricter laws in place, and Belgium is also working on such legislation, the officials noted.