The integration of immigrants into Dutch society is improving but segregation is increasing in some neighbourhoods and in schools, integration minister Eberhard van der Laan told MPs on Tuesday. The minister (Labour) sent an annual report with integration statistics and a letter with the government’s vision to parliament. Claiming immigrants should have the desire to…
The Islam Democrats (ID) party, which has held a seat on the Hague municipal council since 2006, has denounced the municipality’s decision to cancel gender segregated swimming used mostly by Muslim women. City officials made the decision on the basis that men and women should meet while exercising, while supporters of the separate swimming have…
An opposition movement against the Dutch cabinet’s support for mosques has failed. The Home Affairs Ministry and Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG) assert that government subsidies for religious organizations are permissible on the basis that it fosters integration. The failed opposition bid was supported by the conservatives (VVD), Party for Freedom (PVV) and centre-left D66,…
Scores of religious state schools could be set up in Yorkshire by parents, local communities or religious groups under a Tory government with “formidable checks” in place to stop the spread of extremism. The Conservatives want to make it easier for parents, charities and trusts to set up their own new schools to meet the…
Renowned French-Algerian writer Malika Mokeddem has stated that she opposes the Italian government’s move to introduce separate classes for immigrant children, saying that it would ghettoize them, and “gives the children a bad self-image” in addition to sending a negative image of Italy. Mokkedem said that the children need to integrate, and do so not…
