Minister told to adjust Somali asylum seekers policy

The Council of State has told immigration minister Gerd Leers he must adjust his deportation policy in the case of Somali asylum seekers, say press reports.


The instruction comes after around 80 Somalis began camping out on Monday night on the steps of the immigration service offices in Den Bosch in protest at their treatment.
The Council says the minister must take into account if Somalis have become too westernised to be sent back to areas under the control of the Islamic fundamentalist group Al-Shabab.
Too dangerous
Two weeks ago, the Council said Somalis cannot be deported to their own country because arriving at the capital city Mogadishu is too dangerous.
And in June 2011, the European court of human rights said Al-Shabab formed a high risk for westernised Somalis.
The Somali nationals were part of a protest camp outside the Ter Apel refugee centre in Groningen earlier this. They were subsequently moved to the Vught centre and have now been told they will be moved back to Ter Apel.
They are protesting at their treatment, saying having to report daily infringes their freedom of movement.
On Tuesday, Leers said if they do not like their treatment, they can go back voluntarily.

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