DutchNews.nl - MPs refuse to handle anti-immigration motion

In an extremely unusual move, MPs blocked a motion from Geert Wilders’ anti-immigration PVV party on Thursday evening, saying it was discriminatory and offensive.

The amendment called for a ban on the immigration of Muslims and was made by PVV MP Sietse Fritsma. MPs refused en masse to handle the motion.

The Socialists led the way with MP Jan de Wit rejecting the call for the motion as discriminatory, reports news service ANP. Labour described it as a scandal and Groenlinks said such a move did not belong in a constitutional state.

It is extremely unusual that parliament refuses to handle a motion, says ANP. After the debate, Labour MP Hans Spekman summed up the feelings of MPs: ‘We have said: up to here and no further’. ChristenUnie MP Ed Anker added: ‘It goes against the constitution. End of story.’

Fritsma said the MPs’ behaviour showed a lack of respect for a democratic party.

There has been increasing irritation among MPs over the past few months at the anti-Muslim stance of the PVV which many feel is unnecessarily provocative.

Earlier this week integration minister Ella Vogelaar launched a stinging attack on MPs who, she said, seemed to be involved in a contest to see who could be toughest on immigration issues.

PVV's counter-offensive against VVD's anti-migrant plans, I presume.

By Q | November 16, 2007 9:24 AM

It is just a political game with Rechts tegen links of, links tegen rechts to antagonize the other with outrageous statements for shock value. The media should ignore them when they act like juveniles.

By Sandra | November 16, 2007 10:42 AM

Respect for a racist party?
Never!
Undemocratic motion?
Yes!

Demanding freedoms and liberties for yourself makes them vaillable to all!

Limiting the freedoms, rights and liberties of others ends your own!

Oneliners, but all fitting on the racists in the PVV!

By Adrian Masters | November 16, 2007 4:38 PM

Geert Wilders is not a racist. He is Anti-islam religion immigrating to the Netherlands. Anti-islam = discriminatory. Racism Against someone because of their ethnic origins = Racism.

We cannot blame Geert Wilders for this Islamophobia that has spread all over Europe and North America and other Western Countries. I believe each and every one of us should take equal responsibility for this Islamophobia.

The radical terrorists that hijacked and perversed islam are to blame and we as a civilized society are also to blame for blaming all our troubles on one group of people, by our increasing alienation of certain groups of people because of their religion.

Those of us who are born and raised in the western side of the World that call ourselves civilized should stop looking at people differently, or assume that because one is a muslim that means he is a terrorist.

We must remember that Islam is simply a religion. It is a right to ones religious freedom in Western society. Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and be treated equally. Ignorant stereotyped Western mass medias do not help by constantly focussing on ones religious background and associating mostly that with a crime without bringing up other crimes that have nothing to do with Islam.

There once was a time when Islam and judaism and all other religions lived side by side peacefully. People like us who respond to these articles should encourage that peace once against and not add fuel to the fire by igniting the flames.

By Sandra | November 25, 2007 8:18 AM