MPs want sanctions against Libya

MPs on Wednesday called for tough action against Libya following the violent clampdown on anti-government protesters.


Parliamentarians broke off their winter recess to attend an emergency debate on the situation in the Middle Eastern country.
‘I do not have the illusion that this debate means we can influence events in Libya but there are enough questions that need answers,’ CDA MP Kathleen Ferrier told website nu.nl.
Sanctions
Labour MPs called for a range of sanctions against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, including a freezing of interests, flight ban and a possible complaint to the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
A large part of Gaddafi’s fortune is safe in Ridderkerk, just south of Rotterdam, the Volkskrant reported on Wednesday. The paper says an office on the Wolweverstraat is home to the Libyan state oil firm Tamoil as well as Verenex Energy, which extracts oil and gas in Libya, France and Canada.
The European Union is also discussing the situation in the Middle East on Wednesday afternoon. The UN Security Council demanded an end to the violence on Tuesday, while the Arab League suspended Libya.
Asylum seekers
Meanwhile, left wing MPs also called for a moratorium on the deportation of failed asylum seekers to Libya.
Labour MP Hans Spekman said it would be incomprehensible that the Netherlands continue to send people back to Libya while evacuating its own citizens because of the dangerous situation there.
A spokesman for immigration minister Gerd Leers told news agency ANP there are very few Libyan would-be refugees in the Netherlands and admitted that under present conditions it would be almost impossible to deport them anyway.

Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation