(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Many adults in the Netherlands support granting amnesty to some immigrants, according to a poll by Maurice de Hond. 52 per cent of respondents favour a general pardon for the asylum seekers who have been in the European country for more than six years.

In October 2006, Dutch immigration minister Rita Verdonk said she would allow homosexual asylum seekers from Iran to stay in the Netherlands legally, citing "pressing reasons of a humanitarian nature." Verdonk had announced in March that these persons would be deported, but recanted after a letter issued by Human Rights Watch (HRW) pointed out that homosexuals face great risks in Iran.

Dutch voters renewed the Second Chamber in November 2006. The governing Christian-Democratic Appeal (CDA) of minister president Jan Peter Balkenende secured 41 seats. In February, a coalition encompassing the CDA, the Labour Party (PvdA) of Wouter Bos, and the Christian Union (CU) of Andre Rouvouet was assembled.

Last month, the three coalition parties agreed to grant a general amnesty to asylum seekers who have been in the Netherlands for more than six years. Asylum seekers who lied about their identity or background in their application "only once" would still be admitted.

Official statistics released last month revealed that the Netherlands is one of the few European countries where the number of asylum applications was higher last year than in 2005. In all, 14,500 people requested safe haven, making the Netherlands the fifth most popular destination for refugees in Europe.

Polling Data

A parliamentary majority supports a general amnesty for asylum seekers who have been in the country for more than six years. Asylum seekers who lied about their identity or background in their application "only once" will be admitted. Do you support or oppose this general amnesty?

Archive Search

Over 19,500 Polls
Search the Angus Reid Global Monitor Polls & Research archive.