Structural Panic: The new asylum laws - Netherlands on lockdown, humanity on pause

There are those moments when politicians not only fillet society but also put it in the freezer. The new asylum laws, just rushed through the Lower House, are one such low point. While the cabinet has already fallen, the machine continues as usual: stricter rules, fewer rights, more panic. Structural panic? Absolutely. But at the state level.

What is going on?

Last week, the House of Representatives voted in two laws that turn asylum policy in the Netherlands on its head: the Asylum Emergency Measures Act and the Two-state system. Once, the Netherlands was a country where, if you had to flee, you could have a little hope. Now it seems mostly a country where, above all, you shouldn't want to stay too long.

• Temporary residence permits to be shortened from five to three years. After those three years, you can hope the IND grants you another round, otherwise you may still leave.

• Permanent residence permits? Those will soon no longer exist. Uncertainty as the new norm.

• Post-travel becomes almost impossible: only married partners and minor children are still allowed to come. Family reunification? Only if you meet the right family form.

• Two-state system: there will be a distinction between refugees who are personally persecuted (who get slightly more rights) and people fleeing war (who get mostly fewer rights).

• Second asylum applications are discouraged: if you don't tell everything right away or have the right papers, your application will not be processed.

• Criminalisation of illegality: Those without papers could soon be jailed. And those who help them will also be at risk - although that has been put “on hold” for now following protests by the NSC and SGP, among others.

Panic as policy

The message is clear: The Netherlands wants a grip on migration. But in practice, it mainly means more uncertainty, more stress, more people without prospects. Like extinguishing a burning house by locking the front door. Municipalities, aid organisations and even the Council of State warn: this policy is not only inhuman, it is legally shaky and practically unworkable.

And yet, the House voted in favour. Because panic is contagious, especially as elections approach. Humanity? That's on pause for now.

Now what?

The laws have yet to pass through the Senate, so there is still hope. But the trend is set: The Netherlands is opting for closed-mindedness, uncertainty and structural panic. Time for DWARS to turn existential panic into action. Because when politicians lose their heads, we must keep our hearts.