A court in Rotterdam ruled on Friday that Turks with a residence permit may not be compelled to attend integration courses, reports Trouw.

Two Turks brought the case because they do not agree with the 2007 integration law that obliges immigrants to attend the courses. European Union citizens are exempt.
The court ruled that the obligation to attend these courses is against the non-discriminatory ruling contained in Turkey’s associate membership of the EU. This says Turkish citizens may not be charged more for a residence permit than other EU citizens. And integration courses are expensive.
It is also in conflict with an EU decision from 1980 that member states may not introduce new regulations that would hamper Turkish workers in the jobs market. The court ruled that a compulsory integration course would do so, says Trouw.