• Sharifa Bagelloi

  Local editor

You must be registered with the municipality, have housing, such as work, a bank account, and health insurance. This was not self-evident for a group of about eight hundred people who had sometimes lived in the Netherlands for years, but were born Dutch in Suriname before independence. This afternoon, the House of Representatives will vote on a proposal to grant these illegal immigrants a residence permit; Which is likely to lead to a majority.

After Suriname’s independence in 1975, many Suriname residents lost their Dutch citizenship. They had five years to apply for a Dutch passport. For various reasons, this did not happen and did not work for this group of people. The ages of the group vary from 48 to 80s.

This group of former Dutch people has been drawn to attention for years, including by the Regenboog Groep, ASKV, human rights initiatives, and the Stichting Comité. Outgoing The Council of Ministers had planned to grant those involved legal status, but after the fall of the government, the proposal ended up on the shelf.

In April, one hundred unregistered Surinamese seniors applied for a residence permit because there was no quick prospect of a settlement. Now the issue is back on the political agenda. This afternoon the group will hear whether they are one step closer to obtaining a residence permit. Part of this group from ASKV will travel together by bus to The Hague this afternoon to attend the vote on the proposal put forward by Henri Bontenball (CDA).

Jayant Ganesh (53) is also present this afternoon. His parents did not apply for Dutch citizenship for him. “Because of the lack of information,” says Ganesh. “I think they were completely oblivious to that.” In 2000 he immigrated to the Netherlands. “I did not feel accepted in Surinamese society, because I had a ‘different’ orientation.” Although Ganesh has few rights in the Netherlands, he felt at home and safer here almost immediately, he continues.

“There is a special policy for former Dutch citizens, but Syrians are strictly excluded from it,” says Eva Bizem, a lawyer for this group of illegal immigrants. “I think it is smart, flexible and strong that they have all shown patience. In recent years, they have great confidence in arriving at a good solution, even though things seemed to be going wrong.”

Lydia Renfrom, 50, sees “light at the end of the tunnel.” She was one year old when Suriname gained its independence. Her parents also did not apply for Dutch citizenship because, according to Renfrom, they were not aware of this possibility. She has been living in a shelter in Amsterdam since 2022.

Renfrom says being undocumented has had a huge impact on her mental health. “It’s tiring to feel anxious and anxious over simple things, like not being able to recognize myself. This makes it difficult for me to concentrate and makes me forgetful.”

Since Renfrom is not allowed to work for pay, she has volunteered to cook at a retirement home in the past. “Caring for people is my passion. When I get a residence permit, I want to pursue a training course in healthcare.” When asked if Renfrom felt Dutch, she answered emphatically: “Of course! I’m part of Dutch society.”

Lucien Bossi (59 years old) has lived in Amsterdam for more than thirty years and will head to The Hague by bus this afternoon. “A residence permit will be a relief for me. I want to be able to work and I want my freedom.” Posey says he doesn’t feel like he’s being taken seriously because he can’t fully participate in society. “They tried to make a joke out of me.” Although most of his family lives in the Netherlands, Bossi hopes to one day make a trip to Suriname to see his family there again.

The House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the proposal this afternoon. Last week, a narrow majority in the House of Representatives supported reaching a settlement. If the proposal is adopted, which is expected, it will be up to the new government with its intended Immigration Minister Fabre (PVV). Yesterday she distanced herself from the term “repopulation” she had used.