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Netherlands: political refugees questioned

01 May 1991

On 13 April, the Dutch research bureau "Jansen & Janssen" in co- operation with the "Landelijk Steunpunt Vluchtelingen" (national support centre for refugees) published a booklet on the security service's efforts to recruit informants among political refugees. An extensive investigation into some 70 cases of recruitment in which refugees, lawyers, journalists and civil servants were interviewed, showed that the Binnenlandse Veiligheidsdienst (BVD) and her local branches in the police departments frequently resort to subtle pressure and intimidation to obtain co-operation of the asylum seekers. The BVD has access to all the information that the refugee has given to the aliens department in order to get recognized as a political refugee. The potential recruits were offered money, luxuries, and in several cases recognition was immediately given once the victim promised to inform on his fellow political activists or on specific political situations in his home country. On the other hand people that clearly refused to comply were declared illegal although they had extensive proof of being a bona fide political refugee. Jansen & Janssen also give details on the way in which sensitive information on refugees has been directed back to the country of origin to be used by the not-so-democratic security services against the returned refugee and his affiliates. The publication has had quite some attention in Holland, Belgium and Germany. Social Democrat parliamentarians have questioned the minister of the Interior and television stations in Holland have given the matter extensive air coverage. De Vluchteling Achtervolgd (The refugee pursued) Fjodor Molenaar/Buro Jansen & Janssen Amsterdam Uitgeverij Ravijn, 1991 86 pages dfl. 8 50. Address: Buro Jansen & Janssen Singel 268 1016 AC Amsterdam.