Photo : REUTERS/Eva Plevier
IN FOCUS
Protests in the Netherlands: Three factors in perspective
The National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) reported 153,957 positive coronavirus tests, where 69 percent belonged to the unvaccinated group. In recent weeks the total number of new cases has doubled. To address the threatening Covid situation, the government imposed partial lockdown measures for three weeks for shops, sport, and catering. It has mandated the green pass, social distancing, and vaccination drives. The rise of infections in the Netherlands comes as a surprise as 84 percent of the population has been vaccinated and still sees a surge in new covid cases.
Following the imposition of stringent Covid restrictions, protestors gathered in Rotterdam, the Hague, and Amsterdam. They threw rocks and fireworks on police in denial of the levied restrictions. It has also issued an emergency order in the eastern state of Enschede due to continued protests. On 22 November, Netherlands police shot four people who sustained life-threatening injuries and arrested 28 people.
Why protests?
First, the partial lockdown. The closing of restaurants, pubs, and theatres early in the evening does not only impact the social life of the young Netherlanders but has a larger impact on the small businesses in terms of revenue. Many youngsters have recorded their concerns of feeling mentally stressed due to the absence of real interactions and on doing everything from home. Whereas for the micro and small business entrepreneurs, going to lockdown conditions means supply chain challenge and loss of revenue.
Second, distrust of the people in government. The rise in the number of protestors or anti-vaxxers is due to the poor handling of the Covid crisis by the government. On 19 November, the health minister said that the Netherlands was "very far away" from code black in hospitals. Code Black is a situation where the hospitals run out of beds to admit patients. But as far as the doctors, they have remarked that they are nearing the situation already. In another case, two covid patients have been transferred to German hospitals which have better intensive care facilities than the Netherlands. These two examples indicate the inefficiency of the government in treating its citizens.
Third, anger amongst the studying youth. Apart from the worry of delinking their social life's, In the course of the pandemic, many youths started studying. As per the statistics of the Netherlands, the pass percentage was very high as the final exams were cancelled. With a gap of one year, many opted to study increasing joint student debt. The debt increased to EUR 24.4 billion at the start of 2021 which was seven per cent more than the previous year. The issue is, students who had richer parents were able to sustain with their financial support. But students whose parents were not able to afford their education were a concerning factor
What's ahead?
Recently the government, in a move to ease down the tension in the protests, has announced to reopen its borders from 30 April 2022 to allow foreigners. Under this New Zealanders residing in other countries will be allowed to enter from 13 February. Both the category people will be allowed to enter under fulfilling the "fully vaccinated" condition, post which have to isolate for seven days and later will be allowed to enter the country. The Covid-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins stated that "the safest approach to ensure risk is carefully managed."
References
"Rotterdam police clash with rioters as Covid protest turns violent," BBC, 20 November 2021
"Dutch hospitals preparing for "code black" scenario," NL Times, 22 November 2021
"Student debts increasing due to coronavirus," NL Times, 24 November 2021
"New Zealand to reopen to vaccinated visitors," BBC, 24 November 2021
IN BRIEF
By Joeana Cera Matthews and Vaishnavi Iyer
HUNGARY
ECJ forbids disciplinary proceedings against judges seeking its guidance
On 23 November, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruled a verdict that allowed for the bloc's national judges to solicit the guidance of the ECJ judges, in the endeavour of which they should not be stopped. This follows condemnation received by the Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his Fidesz party aiding the deterioration of judicial independence. The case which was referred to the ECJ due to the lack of translators and interpreters at the Pest Central District Court had a criminal proceeding happening against a Swedish national being tried in Hungary. The Hungarian Supreme Court deemed the appeal as unlawful and initiated disciplinary proceedings against the judge. The Luxembourg-based chamber maintained: "EU law precludes disciplinary proceedings from being brought against a national judge on the ground that he or she has made a reference for a preliminary ruling to the Court of Justice… The principle of the primacy of EU law requires the lower court to disregard the decision of the supreme court of the member state concerned." (Richard Connor, "ECJ rules Hungary can't punish judge for seeking EU court guidance," Deutsche Welle, 23 November 2021)
SWEDEN
Magdalena Andersson becomes first female Swedish Prime Minister, only to resign shortly
On 24 November, following a parliamentary vote, Magdalena Andersson (54) was appointed as the Swedish Prime Minister – making her the first female to have held the post. She won the vote in a tight competition by a margin of a single vote. Andersson has earlier served as finance minister and is presently the leader of the Social Democrats. She is backed by the Social Democrats' coalition partner, the Greens. Prior to the vote, she had efficiently managed to bring the Left Party to her side by striking a deal with them. Other opposition parties preferred to let her win by abstaining from voting over opposing her. The outgoing Prime Minister Stefan Lofven had resigned on 10 November after he lost a parliamentary vote of confidence. Lofven, a Social Democrat too, had served seven years in office. ("Magdalena Andersson voted in as Sweden's first female prime minister," Deutsche Welle, 24 November 2021)
THE UNITED KINGDOM
Cyberflashing to be made illegal
Nadine Dorries, Culture secretary stated that "cyber-flashing" could potentially be included "within the scope" of the Online Safety Bill. Cyber-flashing occurs within public spaces with perpetrators using Wifi and Bluetooth networks to send obscene pictures. Online platforms violating the privacy and security of customers will face criminal sanctions. The UK prime minister, Boris Johnson in recommendation by the Law Society demanded a specific offence be created for cyber flashing. Cyber-flashing is already a criminal offence in Scotland but is not yet illegal in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. ("Cyber-flashing likely to become a criminal offence - Dorries," BBC, 24 November 2021)
Whistleblower exposes abuse of detainees at the Brook House
A BBC Panorama documentary revealed the abuse and ill-treatment of detainees in the Brook House removal centre. The centre houses foreign nationals having rejected asylum claims and immigrants who have served prison sentences. The capacity of the centre is upto 500 men with the security of a Category B prison. Callum Tulley, a former Brook House officer conducted a secret filming exposing the widespread harsh abuse, drug use and bullying by officers. The mental health of the detainees is a major concern among the inquiry to be conducted by the Counsel. Out of the 109 hours, four hours have been classified as "key evidence". Fourteen G4S members resigned or were dismissed upon the release of the documentary. The G4S contract system was unique in its nature of the Home Office providing for GBP1 million worth of "penalty" for detainee escapes and suicides. Short-staffing was common with footage showing : "bravado, mockery, macho behaviour and banter, which may have normalised disdain for and even violence towards detained persons". The second phase of inquiry is to be conducted next year with a conclusion by spring. However, the immigration system is not under the ambit of the inquiry. (Tom Symonds, "Brook House detention centre whistleblower 'abuse' inquiry begins," BBC, 24 November 2021)
MP denied carrying baby in the Parliament
After receiving an email from the private secretary to the chairman of the Ways and Means committee, Labour's Stella Creasy criticized the rules on "behaviour and courtesies". She tweeted about the Parliament's unacceptance of her "well behaved, 3-month old, sleeping baby". Addressing the larger issue of maternity cover and the lack of similar decorum rules for "anyone who isn't a man of a certain age from a certain background". Contrary to the rules issued for Creasy, MP Alex Davies-Jones reported that she was granted permission to breastfeed her child in the chamber. Laing termed the rules set for the speaker and deputy speakers at the House of Commons and Westminster Hall, to be "bad for our democracy". She requested a review of the rulebook and encouraged other mothers to participate in politics through her This Mum Votes campaign. She stated that mothers in the mother of all parliament had taken a backseat. She encouraged the parliament to facilitate more "mums at the table" stating: "I've had a baby, I haven't given up my brain or capacity to do things." (George Bowden, "No babies allowed in Commons, MP Stella Creasy told," BBC, 24 November 2021)
CLIMATE CHANGE
EU lawmakers approve reformed Common Agricultural Policy
EU lawmakers overlooked calls to vote down the Common Agricultural Policy(CAP). The bloc adopted the reformed Policy, which will provide GBP 270 million in aid directly to European farmers. The deal will be taken into effect from 1 January 2023 and will continue till 2027. The deal, covering a third of the EU budget, is expected to meet the climate sustainability goals and rural development goals set by the EU. However, the reforms have been met with backlash from the green parties. The overall sentiment from the green parties state that the reform is neither in alignment with climate goals and would neither benefit the farmers. The deal as proposed by most scientists would not be meeting the EU's Green Deal goals and would further fuel the climate crisis. The deal is set to benefit only bigger farming consortiums. The CAP reform is set to have global consequences around the farming sector, food security trade, and biodiversity. Most MEPs applauded the reforms which are set to reward the farmers for their performance. Commissioner Wojciechowski stated: "The new CAP strikes the right balance between flexibility for the Member States and assurance on the CAP expenditure". Swedish climate civist, Greta Thunberg has called for the EU to vote CAP down. (Priyanka Shankar, "EU lawmakers pass Common Agricultural Policy deal — but green critics sound alarm," Deutsche Welle, 23 November 2021)
MIGRATION
Poland-Belarus border standoff: EU set to impose coordinated sanctions on Belarus
On 23 November, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at a session of the European Parliament said that the EU stood in solidarity with its members of Poland, Latvia and Lithuania. Denying the existence of a 'migrant crisis', she reiterated: "This is not a migration crisis. This is the attempt of an authoritarian regime to try to destabilize its democratic neighbours." The latest plans include "blacklist(ing) all means and modes of transport involved in trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants." A new package of sanctions with the US, Canada, and the UK are being coordinated by the EU. Urging the necessity of the same, she commented: "We agreed that to counter this behaviour, it is important to coordinate our sanctions and to work with countries of origin and the airlines that are transporting migrants to Minsk." ("Belarus: EU to target firms trafficking migrants with 'blacklist'," Deutsche Welle, 23 November 2021)