A dire scenario: Refugees soon left alone to navigate the asylum process
Budget slashed from €34 million to €13 million
On 2 January, Minister Faber announced a cut of more than 50% to the budget for our Legal Protection Programme. The message was rigid and firm: you will receive €13 million to proceed activities instead of the €34 million required to keep doing your work. No gradual phase-out has been granted. Just an abrupt, devastating blow.
Frank Candel, Chair of the Dutch Council for Refugees said: 'Halving the budget overnight, whilst the ministry expects our output to remain unchanged, puts us in an impossible position. Our backs are against the wall. This is not just unworkable – it is bad governance. The government must uphold basic principles of fairness and accountability.’
A legal obligation
Refugees like everyone else have the right to independent legal assistance and representation. Since 2010, the Dutch Council for Refugees has fulfilled this legal European mandate.
This mandate includes consultation on the asylum process, clarifying refugees’ rights and responsibilities and offering help in preparing the required documentation for the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) to name a few.
Left alone and vulnerable
The consequences of Minister Faber’s decision are heartbreaking, especially for those refugees who will be left to navigate the complex asylum process entirely on their own. There will be no helping hand, listening ear or guiding light to support them through the maze of our bureaucracy.
'The staff of the Dutch Council for Refugees helps me understand things I don’t know.’ explains Zakaria, a young man from Syria currently residing on an asylum boat in Zaandam. ‘They are the connection between refugees, the IND and the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) and without that support, everything will fall apart.’
Our regional manager Anne Els Jansen also shares her concerns: ‘We’re present at reception centres to provide information sessions, legal support and consultations. In addition to that, we also offer a listening ear and identify vulnerable individuals. This vital work is now at risk.’
Even longer delays
Beyond the human impact, Minister Faber's decision has practical consequences. Refugees will have to go to the IND hearings without proper preparation.This will most likely lead to many more initials rejections, as these hearings are daunting and tough. Applicants are required to share deeply personal and sometimes traumatic experiences under pressure; something that could be very hard to do without proper guidance.
‘After the initial rejections, asylum seekers have right to appeal, hence increasing the number of cases in the judicial system.’ Frank Candel explains. ‘A positive appeal means the process must start all over again’.
This snowball effect will strain the IND as well as the judiciary and asylum systems. Longer waiting times, increased costs for emergency shelters and a heavier burden on society are inevitable.
Policies that backfire
Minister Faber’s decision will only exaggerate the chaos in the asylum system and increase costs for society. In other words, the right-wing government’s measures are counterproductive and short-sighted.
Negotiations with the minister have failed, leaving us no choice but to take legal action to challenge this decision. This dire scenario cannot become a reality. Refugees need our support now more than ever.
Don't leave refugees behind
The government is taking away refugees' rights and letting the asylum system break down even more. Soon, we may no longer be able to guide refugees through the zasylum process or help with family reunification. Refugees are paying the price.