A bitter war has broken out in two Brabant villages over plans to accommodate 50 refugees in the area, with supporters having their homes vandalised by anti-immigration campaigners.
Slogans using words such as teef (bitch) and hoer (whore) were scrawled on the walls and windows of homes in Bokhoven and Engelen, near Den Bosch, where the council’s plans have been the focus of heated protests and riots.
One couple, who gave their names as Rob and Ingrid, told Omroep Brabant they were not outright supporters of the plan, but had called for an open debate about the implications.
“We understand that people in De Vutter [the location of the proposed shelter] have real concerns,” Rob said.
He accused opponents of the scheme of trying to shut down the discussion through intimidation and violence. “A few months ago Ingrid called in our village newspaper for us to stand together as a village and organise things properly,” he said.
“That open approach has meant that the media and others have put us on the side of the actual supporters and our name has been circulated by extreme opponents.”
Spreading law
The municipality announced in April it wanted to house 50 boys and girls aged between 15 and 18 on an industrial site in the area, to meet its obligations under the so-called “spreading law” that requires councils to share the responsibility for accommodating asylum seekers.
Demonstrations that were held outside community meetings turned to riots as stones were thrown and fireworks were let off.
Police in riot gear with dogs cleared away a group of 100 protesters, some of whom tried to block the A59 motorway, and arrested two people during two nights of violence.
In May the council announced it was postponing the decision so it could hold more community information sessions. Two days later an explosion damaged the building where the refugees were due to be held.
Rob said it was clear from camera footage that the attacks on his home had been carried out by a group of youths.
“Once the police have caught the youths, we would like to have a conversation with them,” he said. “They probably have no idea how it affects you emotionally when you go through this.”
Syrians attacked
In a separate incident, police in Geesteren said a family of asylum seekers from Syria had been targeted several times by vandals and had their car set on fire after moving in to the village earlier this year.
The family, whose children are aged six, three and one, were allocated the house after being granted settled status, four years after they first arrived in the Netherlands.
Windows in the property have been smashed three times since March and on Sunday night their car was set ablaze. Police are treating the incident as arson, but say locals are too anxious to come forward with information.
Community silence
“The anxiety means people don’t dare to talk to us,” local police spokeswoman Chantal Westerhoff told NOS. “What I mean by that is that we have no tips at present or indications of who caused this.”
The mayor of Tubbergen, Anko Postma, whose municipality includes Geesteren, said extra protection was being arranged for the family.
“This must have a big impact on a family just as they are trying to build a new life here,” he said. “We are in contact with them and are looking at what support they need.”
The father, Al Arab, told NOS he was considering leaving the village because he was worried his family were becoming a burden. “Maybe it’s better if we go. Our dear neighbours are getting scared,” he said.
