PRESS RELEASE – “Asielnoodmaatregelenwet” and Related Legislative Amendments

Justice Square Foundation (SJS) is a civil society organization founded by Turkish jurists living in the Netherlands to raise awareness of fundamental human rights and to fight against violations of these rights. Acting with the slogan “We stand for justice,” SJS completed its official establishment in May 2023 and has been operating in Amsterdam since July 2023. We share our work and projects at www.justicesquare.org and on X and Instagram at @JJusticesquare.

In addition to human-rights advocacy, with our volunteers and experts, and adhering to the Netherlands’ democratic values and human rights, we provide legal, social and humanitarian support especially to refugees in vulnerable situations; we contribute to their building a dignified life in their new country.

Why we speak today.

In the coming days, the Dutch Senate will consider two critical legislative proposals that will directly affect the country’s domestic legal order and its international human-rights obligations—Asielnoodmaatregelenwet (36 704) and Wet versterking regie volkshuisvesting (36 51). This package not only narrows the rights of refugees but also carries the risk of weakening the rule of law, democratic values and social peace.

As Stichting Justice Square, we are following these developments with great concern and, in line with our mission, we make a strong call on the Senate to reject the proposals.