No human is illegal: End Dutch complicity in the class war

On Tuesday, July 1st, the Dutch House of Representatives narrowly passed a PVV (The Party for Freedom) amendment that criminalises both undocumented residence and providing assistance to undocumented individuals. This marks a severe regression, one that directly undermines our values of solidarity, human rights, and democracy.

Criminalising Vulnerability

Many undocumented individuals are not without status by choice. They exist in legal limbo due to failed asylum procedures, war, or bureaucratic delays. Their “illegality” is often the consequence of circumstances entirely beyond their control. Criminalising this vulnerability is inhumane: it punishes victims instead of addressing root causes.

Outlawing Solidarity

This amendment doesn’t merely target undocumented people, it also criminalises acts of compassion. Offering medical care, shelter, or legal support now carries legal risks for doctors, volunteers, and aid workers. Such overreach will breed confusion, invite unnecessary prosecutions, and further erode humane refugee policies.

A dangerous precedent

This is no minor policy adjustment. It signals a perilous shift toward state control over civic engagement, defining who “deserves” help and who does not. Such policies fuel an “us versus them” mentality, deepening social fractures. History offers a stark warning: 85 years ago, aiding Jewish people was criminalised. We must remember this dark lesson: when helping the “unwanted” becomes illegal, no one is safe.

Call to action

We urge all political parties to:

Vote against both asylum bills in the House of Representatives and the Senate. Prioritise humanity over exclusion.
Protect those who offer aid. Volunteers and civil society organisations must operate without fear of prosecution.
Establish a humane migration policy rooted in solidarity, human rights, and fair procedures.

DiEM25 stands for a Europe of inclusion, solidarity, and democracy. We will persist in fighting for a just and humane asylum system.

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