It is a new setback for the government, which came up with this politically sensitive proposal under great pressure, and is also in a hurry to improve the reception of asylum seekers.
Responsible
The idea of the new distribution law of State Secretary Eric van der Burg (Asylum) is to give municipalities and provinces more responsibilities in the reception of asylum seekers. Until now, the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) has had to look for a municipality that wants to cooperate in a reception location. Soon they will be responsible for arranging space for a certain number of people.
In itself, the Council of State thinks it is a good idea that a new law is made, but it would still be better not to submit the proposal in this way. This way of working is not temporary, but structural in nature and aims to achieve a sustainable future perspective for asylum reception. In that case, the law must be put together more carefully, as can be read in the advice.
According to the Council of State, it is still too unclear who will be responsible for what. Municipalities can offer reception places themselves in exchange for a money bonus, but if not enough places are found, they also have to sit down again to arrange extra places. According to the Council of State, more aspects of this law have not been elaborated sufficiently, for example with regard to the responsibilities that will soon be assigned to the various governments and organizations.
In addition to ambiguity, this will also lead to mutual strife instead of the solidarity that the cabinet hopes for, the important advisers warn. And there are still too many questions about the money. The Council of State also immediately makes a proposal for a system that could work. There are already similar rules for the housing of people who are allowed to stay in the Netherlands after an asylum application. That is easier to arrange. In addition, the two aspects of asylum reception are better aligned.
Thorough
Whether Van der Burg will change the law is still the question. His spokesperson says that the ministry is pleased that sound advice has been provided quickly. “Our commitment is to send the bill to the House of Representatives as soon as possible. We are not anticipating the content and how, what, when.”
