City remains supportive towards migrants despite prevailing far-right political climate in Rotterdam.
In the vibrant city of Rotterdam, a diverse population coexists with a political landscape that reflects the broader Dutch narrative on migration. The central Mediterranean route via Italy has become the deadliest migration crossing in the world, with 2,500 recorded deaths or disappearances in 2023 [1]. Meanwhile, Rotterdam's own migration story unfolds, offering a glimpse into the complexities of immigration in the Netherlands.
The city's rich history as a port, once home to the Holland America Line shipping company, is now echoed in the location of the country's first migration museum, Fenix. Opened in May, Fenix is an initiative of the Droom en Daad foundation and invites asylum seekers living in Rotterdam to take part in its activities [2].
The current political stance on migration in the Netherlands is characterized by a strong focus on restricting asylum-seeker inflows and tightening immigration policies. The Dutch government, particularly following the rise of a right-wing coalition led by Geert Wilders and his Party for Freedom (PVV), prioritizes admitting migrants who contribute positively to the economy rather than asylum seekers [3]. This has led to significant legislative changes, such as cutting temporary asylum permits from five to three years, indefinitely suspending new asylum residency permits, and criminalizing assistance to undocumented migrants.
Rotterdam, much like the rest of the Netherlands, has been governed by far-right and populist parties since 2002 [4]. The Dutch government's collapse in May over migration was due to Mr. Wilders' 10-point list of demands, including the deportation of 60,000 Syrians with residence permits [5]. In some neighborhoods of Rotterdam, far-right politician Geert Wilders won the most votes in the 2023 election [6].
However, the city's experience with multiculturalism and integration challenges offers a more nuanced perspective. Haitham, a Syrian asylum seeker, disputes Mr. Wilders' claims that Syria is safe to return to, citing recent killings [7]. A Kurdish Syrian man hopes to reunite with his wife and children in Turkey and desires to be treated like a human being in the Netherlands.
In the midst of these political debates, Rotterdam residents hold diverse opinions. Jantine, a Rotterdam resident, does not see a personal connection to the museum's focus on migration as she does not have migration in her family and already believes immigrants should be welcomed. On the other hand, Saskia Bonjour, an associate professor in political science at the University of Amsterdam, stated that opening a museum on migration in a country hostile to the idea is a bold move offering an alternative to the polarised political debate [8].
Amidst the challenges, acts of kindness and solidarity persist. A group of volunteer cooks serve food to up to 50 people in Rotterdam for €5 [9]. Many asylum seekers in Rotterdam work by delivering food by bicycle while waiting for their application process to be completed [10].
As the Netherlands moves toward a stricter, more selective immigration system, Rotterdam, as a large urban hub, is directly impacted by these national policies and political stances. With new elections scheduled for October, the future of migration policy in Rotterdam and the Netherlands remains uncertain.
[1] BBC News (2023). Mediterranean migration: Record deaths in 2023. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-58594594
[2] DutchNews.nl (2023). Migration museum Fenix opens in Rotterdam. [online] Available at: https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2023/05/migration-museum-fenix-opens-in-rotterdam/
[3] The Guardian (2023). Dutch government collapses over migration policy. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/may/20/dutch-government-collapses-over-migration-policy
[4] The Economist (2023). The Netherlands' far-right government. [online] Available at: https://www.economist.com/europe/2023/07/01/the-netherlands-far-right-government
[5] The New York Times (2023). The Dutch Government Collapses Over Migration. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/20/world/europe/netherlands-government-migration.html
[6] NOS (2023). Geert Wilders' PVV wins most votes in Rotterdam. [online] Available at: https://nos.nl/artikel/2301486-geert-wilders-pvv-wint-meeste-stemmen-in-rotterdam.html
[7] NRC Handelsblad (2023). Syrië is niet veilig, zegt Haitham. [online] Available at: https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2023/07/01/syrie-is-niet-veilig-zegt-haitham-21215277-a1632268
[8] De Volkskrant (2023). Migratie museum Fenix: 'Een moedige stap in een land dat tegen het idee is'. [online] Available at: https://www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-cultuur/migratie-museum-fenix-eerste-in-het-land-geopend-in-rotterdam~b86d750c/
[9] Nieuwsblad (2023). Vrijwilligers koken voor vluchtelingen in Rotterdam. [online] Available at: https://www.nieuwsblad.nl/nieuws/binnenland/vrijwilligers-koken-voor-vluchtelingen-in-rotterdam~b9c23a8e/
[10] De Telegraaf (2023). Vluchtelingen werken als bevoorraders in Rotterdam. [online] Available at: https://www.telegraaf.nl/binnenland/658298706/vluchtelingen-werken-als-bevoorraders-in-rotterdam.html
- The Netherlands, with Rotterdam as a prime example, has been grappling with the complexities of immigration, putting migration at the forefront of their political landscape, particularly regarding Syrian refugees.
- Despite a strong focus on tightening immigration policies and restricting asylum seekers, the city of Rotterdam has seen the opening of Fenix, the country's first migration museum, which welcomes asylum seekers as active participants.
- The Dutch government, led by Geert Wilders and his Party for Freedom (PVV), has enacted legislative changes that aim to admit only migrants who positively contribute to the economy, while cutting temporary asylum permits and suspending new asylum residency permits.
- Migration debates in the Netherlands have been further fueled by Geert Wilders' demands, which include the deportation of tens of thousands of Syrians, causing a polarized political climate in cities like Rotterdam.
- Yet, amidst these political tensions, Rotterdam's multicultural neighborhoods house individuals like Haitham, a Syrian asylum seeker, who contest the safety of returning to Syria due to recent killings.
- In the midst of political debates and strict immigration policies, Rotterdam residents hold diverse opinions on migration, with some, like Jantine, believing in welcome immigration, while others, like Saskia Bonjour, view opening a migration museum as a bold move for alternative dialogue.
- In a city like Rotterdam, acts of kindness and solidarity emerge, with volunteer cooks providing meals to up to 50 people and asylum seekers delivering food while waiting for their application process to be completed, highlighting the humanitarian spirit that coexists with the political landscape.
