Outgoing Minister of State Erik van der Burgh (Asylum) will allow asylum seekers to sleep in the waiting areas of the registration center in Ter Apel again in the future if the alternative is to spend the night outside. “As long as I remain foreign minister, I will do everything I can to prevent people from sleeping outside in the cold,” he said. Radio NOS 1 News.

Van der Burgh’s response to an article in devotionHe mentions that he ordered asylum seekers dozens of times to spend the night in waiting rooms. This is despite the fact that it has been pointed out several times as a security risk by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND).

It was only when the Justice and Security Inspectorate came up with a solid report at the end of last year that it was decided to end the night shelter in waiting areas. The report stated that “rapid, safe and effective escape” in the event of panic or fire is impossible. The inspection stated that allowing people to sleep in waiting areas “is unacceptable and must be stopped immediately.”

Van der Burgh maintains that he was aware of the risks. “But it was a matter of choosing between a stomach ache or a headache. There were very few places to sleep, so you had to choose. Otherwise people would lie outside.”

The Secretary of State initially gave permission daily, but later weekly and monthly.

Sometimes up to 150 asylum seekers, including children, slept in the rooms. In the fall of 2022, thirty minors remained in the rooms for several days.

According to Van der Burgh, these spaces could only be used if no alternative was available. But according to the newspaper, that statement does not match the fact that Van der Burgh sometimes granted permission for a month in advance.

The Secretary of State now says he initially decided on a daily basis whether asylum seekers could spend the night in waiting areas. “But if you’re busy tidying up until late at night every day, and you say at 10pm a few nights in a row: ‘Go and set up the waiting areas.’ Then people don’t get rest until 1am or 2am.”

In order to fairly distribute the reception of asylum seekers across all municipalities, the Council of Ministers approved the Dispersal Law. This came into effect on February 1st. But the formed parties intend to abolish this law.

Van der Burgh: “Whether the law is published or not, we will remain jointly responsible for ensuring that no one has to sleep outside on the grass. This means that municipalities, because it is not possible anywhere else, have to step up their efforts.”