The rules governing asylum seekers who are refused permission to stay in the Netherlands for no fault of their own should not be changed.

This is the conclusion of a report published on Monday by the government’s advisory commission on refugee affairs ACVZ.

Asylum seekers who through no fault of their own cannot return to their country of origin can be issued with a residence permit if they comply with a host of conditions.

Labour party leader Diederik Samsom promised party members he would have the conditions relaxed. The commission sees no reason for this, Nos news reports.

Willing return

Commission chairman Adriana van Dooijeweert said it is seldom the case that asylum seekers cannot return to their own country. ‘Most countries will take their citizens back, certainly when they return willingly,’ she said.

The commission does advise the government to give a temporary residence permit to people waiting longer than a year for documents from their embassy or consultate.

Waiting times for documents are often much longer, says the commission. One asylum seeker waited for 13 years.