Dutch dither over affirmative action

Anti-Racist Alliance Spring 1995 © Number 1 © 40p © DUTCH DITHER OVER AFFIRMATIVE ACTION

by Mellouki Cadat The murder of a young black man, Kerwin Duinmijer, by a racist IB skinhead commemorated every year on August 20th - has become the first symbol of the violent exclusion of the million plus Black and migrant people in Dutch society.

Dutch liberals still cling to the old myth that, unlike their European neighbours, they have kept to their traditions of tolerance and warm entente. Unassailable proof is their government’s positive action and integration policies. But the stark reality of the Dutch Black communities is best expressed by recent unemployment statistics, which put them at the bottom of the heap. While current unemployment among white Dutch has reached 11%, the figures for unemployed Black people (Surinamese, Arubans & Curacaese, Moluccans, Moroccans, Turks) are 35 %. And to rub salt in the wound, the Dutch media, under pressure from the far-right, have indulged in what amounts to a witch hunt against refugees and positive action, all under the guise of "freedom of speech" and "breaking the old anti-racist taboos".

Unfortunately these debates, with their unmistakable hints of Powellism, revealed the true nature of the old myths of Dutch tolerance. Once you scratch the surface you find a profoundly insecure population, entrenched in its privileges, and reluctant to give in even to the puny reforms of positive action, quotas and contract compliance.

In the end, the spectacle of Dutch intellectuals airing their troubled consciences only played into the hands of the far right and fascists who increased their strength at the elections in cities like Rotterdam (14% of the vote) and Amsterdam (from 10 up to20% in some districts). There are now 80 anti-democratic, racist municipal councillors in the Netherlands, and three extremist MEPs from the Centrum Democraten were elected in May 1994.

However the fight back is well under way. Black leaders, as far as they are politically independent, are openly critical of the Dutch institutions, and are waging a courageous fight to force the implementation of public policies on positive action and integration in the centres of economic and political power. Some gains were made - notably the right to vote in local elections and the extension of the welfare system. But on the whole, very little has changed. ♦ Nederland bekent Kleur (The Netherlands Confesses/Shows the Colour) is the main antiracist, grass-roots umbrella organisation. It has become the main initiator of anti-racist mobilisations and activities. This year the highlight of their campaign will be a concert in Amsterdam during an anti-racist week from March 21st -26th.

Nederland bekent Kleur is a member of the Anti-Racist Network for Equality in Europe.

Mellouki Cadat is its Vice-President.

" While some of them will hunt you down To kill the rest of you The others will hold festivals To have something to do And even while they make of you The very first to die Because of age-old Dutch racism We both know it’s a lie" Maurice Di, Kerwin, the poem, 25 August 1984 The Anti-Racist Network for Equality in Europe comprises the largest anti- racist organisations in Europe: Anti-Racist Alliance, SOS Racisme (France), Nero e Non Solo (Italy), ARCI (Italy), SOS Razzismo (Italy), SOS Racismo (Spain), SOS Racismo (Portugal), SOS Racisme (Denmark), Nederland bekent Kleur (The Netherlands), KMAN/ARGAN (The Netherlands), MRAX (Belgium), La voix des femmes (Belgium), VISA (The Netherlands), SOS- Rassismus, Berlin (Germany), Aktion Courage (Germany), Harmony (Ire- land), Appel des 250 (France), NURO (UK) • The Anti-Racist Network for Equality in Europe was formally launched at a conference in London last year jointly organised by the ARA and the Association of London Authorities.

Among the keynote speakers were Mme Danielle Mitterrand, Tony Blair and Pauline Green MEP. EUROPEAN ANTI-RACIST NETWORK LAUNCHES 1995 CAMPAIGNS 1995 will be a year of challenges for the anti-racist movement throughout Europe. This was the unanimous view of delegates to the General Assembly of the European Anti-Racist Network for Equality in Europe who gathered in Brussels to elect their Secretariat for the forthcoming year and hammer out a programme of campaigns. In the run up to the Intergovernmental Conference in 1996, the Assembly has agreed to prioritise a campaign to amend the Maastricht treaty to include provision on race matters. As it stands, the Treaty studiously avoids any mention of race policy letting the European Union off the hook regarding legislation on these matters. The Network has set up a working group to build on the work already done by a Committee of Experts and finalise a set of amendments which will be put to a European consultative conference due to take place in Rome in July 1995. This Conference will include anti-racist groups, Black, migrant and refugees organisations, jurists, politicians and academics. The ARA is currently preparing submissions on free movement within the European Union, and on the prohibition of discrimination. Other priorities include an event to mark the abolition of borders by the Schengen signatory countries and a roundtable with MEPs in Cannes at the onset of the French presidency of the European Union. This will help consolidate the Network programme of work with MEPs from all parties. Finally, a project for an international antiracist youth camp in Italy this summer was submitted by Nero e Non Solo and approved by the Assembly. Since then, SOS Racisme (Spain) have decided to enlarge their annual Summer camp near Barcelona to make it an international event capable of hosting in excess of 1500 young people. ♦ The ARA has been elected to the seven strong Secretariat of the Network and is doing the administration work. ♦ The ARA has also been elected to represent the Network at the Council of Europe in all matters dealing with race and xenophobia.