This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-europe-15533921
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Netherlands divided over Angolan teen asylum seeker | Netherlands divided over Angolan teen asylum seeker |
(about 1 hour later) | |
By Anna Holligan BBC News, The Hague | By Anna Holligan BBC News, The Hague |
The case of an 18-year-old Angolan asylum seeker has proved tricky for the Dutch parliament, as politicians debate whether Mauro Manuel should be given the right to remain in the Netherlands. | |
The teenager has become something of a celebrity here, appearing on chat shows and on the front pages of almost all the daily newspapers. | The teenager has become something of a celebrity here, appearing on chat shows and on the front pages of almost all the daily newspapers. |
His case has captured the public imagination and is being used to highlight what some believe is a huge flaw in the Dutch asylum system. | His case has captured the public imagination and is being used to highlight what some believe is a huge flaw in the Dutch asylum system. |
At the moment there are around 75 children fighting similar battles to be allowed to stay in the country. | At the moment there are around 75 children fighting similar battles to be allowed to stay in the country. |
Now that Mauro has turned 18, under Dutch immigration law he must be deported. But his supporters argue it is not that simple. | Now that Mauro has turned 18, under Dutch immigration law he must be deported. But his supporters argue it is not that simple. |
On Tuesday Dutch MPs rejected two motions that would have given him a Dutch residence permit. | |
Next week they are expected to vote on a compromise motion which would allow him to stay until he hears if a temporary, four-year student visa has been granted. | |
'Integrated' | 'Integrated' |
Mauro Manuel was stashed on a plane by his mother, who feared her young son would struggle to survive in their war-torn homeland of Angola. | Mauro Manuel was stashed on a plane by his mother, who feared her young son would struggle to survive in their war-torn homeland of Angola. |
When Mauro arrived in the Netherlands he was picked up by police and eventually fostered by a family in the southern Dutch province of Limburg. | When Mauro arrived in the Netherlands he was picked up by police and eventually fostered by a family in the southern Dutch province of Limburg. |
Eight years on Mauro is taking a vocational course at college, he is a decent footballer and his foster parents have recently had a son who Mauro counts as his little brother. | Eight years on Mauro is taking a vocational course at college, he is a decent footballer and his foster parents have recently had a son who Mauro counts as his little brother. |
He even speaks fluent Dutch with the unmistakable Limburg drawl. | He even speaks fluent Dutch with the unmistakable Limburg drawl. |
The president of the Green Party, Henk Nijhof, was so angered by the thought of his country expelling someone who he believes is so integrated in the community he started a campaign to support the family. | The president of the Green Party, Henk Nijhof, was so angered by the thought of his country expelling someone who he believes is so integrated in the community he started a campaign to support the family. |
"Enough is enough and we have to stop this," he said. | "Enough is enough and we have to stop this," he said. |
"Rules are rules, but you cannot switch off your heart and your brain. You must remember what's good and what's right and this is just not right." | "Rules are rules, but you cannot switch off your heart and your brain. You must remember what's good and what's right and this is just not right." |
Political opposition | Political opposition |
Last week, Dutch Immigration and Asylum Minister Gerd Leers ruled that Mauro had no right to stay in the Netherlands. | Last week, Dutch Immigration and Asylum Minister Gerd Leers ruled that Mauro had no right to stay in the Netherlands. |
Despite significant political opposition Mr Leers acknowledged that there were many others in Mauro's situation and therefore he could not make an exception. | Despite significant political opposition Mr Leers acknowledged that there were many others in Mauro's situation and therefore he could not make an exception. |
The case is further complicated by the existence of the increasingly influential anti-immigration Freedom Party (PVV) leader Geert Wilders. | The case is further complicated by the existence of the increasingly influential anti-immigration Freedom Party (PVV) leader Geert Wilders. |
Mr Wilders has led calls for Mauro to be deported and has threatened to stop lending support to the leading Liberal Party if they allow him to stay. | Mr Wilders has led calls for Mauro to be deported and has threatened to stop lending support to the leading Liberal Party if they allow him to stay. |
In the Netherlands the coalition government relies on support from the populist PVV to get many of their policies through parliament. | In the Netherlands the coalition government relies on support from the populist PVV to get many of their policies through parliament. |
So the withdrawal of that support could have damaging repercussions and some have suggested it could even force elections. | So the withdrawal of that support could have damaging repercussions and some have suggested it could even force elections. |
It depends now on the Christian Democratic party - so far two of their members have agreed to back Mauro's right to remain. | It depends now on the Christian Democratic party - so far two of their members have agreed to back Mauro's right to remain. |
If two more do the same it could potentially be enough to force a change in the current law. | If two more do the same it could potentially be enough to force a change in the current law. |
However, if another fundamental Christian group supports the government it will mean a small majority in favour of forcing Mauro to be repatriated. | However, if another fundamental Christian group supports the government it will mean a small majority in favour of forcing Mauro to be repatriated. |
Supporters | Supporters |
The United Nations children's agency, Unicef, has also intervened, stating that if the teenager were to be uprooted now, at a time when he is fully established and integrated in Dutch society, it would be a contravention of the UN Convention on Children's Rights and "seriously impair" his development. | The United Nations children's agency, Unicef, has also intervened, stating that if the teenager were to be uprooted now, at a time when he is fully established and integrated in Dutch society, it would be a contravention of the UN Convention on Children's Rights and "seriously impair" his development. |
A representative for the Dutch children's ombudsman Marc Dullaert said it was a "shocking" case and that if Mauro Manuel were deported he would fight the decision at the European Court in Strasbourg. | A representative for the Dutch children's ombudsman Marc Dullaert said it was a "shocking" case and that if Mauro Manuel were deported he would fight the decision at the European Court in Strasbourg. |
On Tuesday Mauro was joined by about 700 supporters and celebrities at the Dutch parliament to submit a petition signed by more than 55,000 people who believe he should be given the right to remain. | On Tuesday Mauro was joined by about 700 supporters and celebrities at the Dutch parliament to submit a petition signed by more than 55,000 people who believe he should be given the right to remain. |
A guitarist who performed at the protest said: "We're here for the same reason as everyone else - we don't want Mauro to go. | A guitarist who performed at the protest said: "We're here for the same reason as everyone else - we don't want Mauro to go. |
"It's a really horrible situation. He's been to school, he speaks Dutch, he is Dutch." | "It's a really horrible situation. He's been to school, he speaks Dutch, he is Dutch." |
Mauro himself has made a final plea to the politicians who hold his fate in their hands. | Mauro himself has made a final plea to the politicians who hold his fate in their hands. |
"I promise I will always try to be an asset to the Netherlands," he said. | "I promise I will always try to be an asset to the Netherlands," he said. |
"Please let me stay here forever. My future is in the Netherlands. I would like to be an example to others and work for Dutch society all my life." | "Please let me stay here forever. My future is in the Netherlands. I would like to be an example to others and work for Dutch society all my life." |