From Rory Watson and Anthony Browne in Brussels
The Times March 24, 2006 www.timesonline.co.uk

IMMIGRANTS arriving in Europe could be forced to sit a test demonstrating their knowledge of their host country under plans unveiled yesterday by interior ministers from the European Union’s six largest members.

The proposed exam, to be designed by a group of experts, is based on schemes being introduced in some European countries, but could eventually be extended to all 25 EU members.

It is the latest step in the development of a common immigration policy in Europe, part of which aims to ensure that immigrants accept Western values and become integrated into the host society. The issue has gained approval after a series of terrorist attacks, amid fears that Islamic extremism is gaining a foothold in some Muslim communities.

The exam would be part of a new integration contract that the ministers from Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Poland proposed at a two-day meeting in northern Germany.

In addition to making sure that new arrivals are aware of the rights and obligations that come with moving to a new country, the contract would test their knowledge of Western values, and of the host country’s language and main institutions. It would also determine whether they had sufficient means of finance to support themselves.

Charles Clarke, the Home Secretary, said: “What we agreed very strongly was that the values of our societies — democracy, respect for other faiths, free speech, the rule of law, free media and so on — are values which we would expect everybody wanting to settle in these countries to respect.”

Asked if immigrants who broke the contract could be deported, Mr Clarke replied: “That would be an issue that could arise.”

The meeting agreed that a working group would now flesh out the elements of the potential integration contract that was first raised by Nicolas Sarkozy, the French Interior Minister. It is expected to draw heavily on France’s own experience: it has operated a national welcome and integration contract since 2004 after running pilot projects the previous year.

The Home Office has already introduced contracts involving exams and ceremonies for people seeking full British citizenship. A spokesman said that although there were no immediate plans to change those arrangements, the Government was examining the possibility of introducing English language tests for any immigrant wanting permanent residence in Britain without taking out citizenship.

Several European countries have introduced tests for immigrants. After the 9/11 attacks, followed by those in Madrid and London and the murder of the Dutch film-maker Theo van Gogh, there has been growing alarm at the growth of parallel communities that feel alienated from the West.

This month the Netherlands began applying some of the world’s toughest entry laws, requiring potential immigrants to take language and culture exams and study up to 375 hours in their home country before emigrating.

To prepare them for Dutch liberal values, they will also have to watch a film with scenes of a topless woman and featuring gay men kissing.

HOLLAND TESTS IMMIGRANTS WITH A GAY KISS
By: Bruce Mutsvairo, The Associated Press

AMSTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) - The camera focuses on two gay men kissing in a park. Later, a topless woman emerges from the sea and walks onto a crowded beach. For would-be immigrants to the Netherlands, this film is a test of their readiness to participate in the liberal Dutch culture.

If they can't stomach it, no need to apply.

Despite whether they find the film offensive, applicants must buy a copy and watch it if they hope to pass the Netherlands' new entrance examination.

The test -- the first of its kind in the world -- became compulsory Wednesday, and was made available at 138 Dutch embassies.

Taking the exam costs $420. The price for a preparation package that includes the film, a CD ROM and a picture album of famous Dutch people is $75.

"As of today, immigrants wishing to settle in the Netherlands for, in particular, the purposes of marrying or forming a relationship will be required to take the civic integration examination abroad," the Immigration Ministry said in a statement.

The test is part of a broader crackdown on immigration that has been gathering momentum in the Netherlands since 2001.

Anti-immigration sentiment peaked with filmmaker Theo van Gogh's murder by a Dutch national of Moroccan descent in November 2004.

Both praise and scorn have been poured on Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk, the architect of the new test and other policies that have reduced immigration by at least a third.

"If you pass, you're more than welcome," Verdonk said. "It is in the interest of Dutch society and those concerned."

Not everyone is happy with the new test.

"Today is a black day for the people intending to bring their partners to Holland," said Buitenlandse Partner, a lobbying group for mixed Dutch/immigrant couples.

Dutch theologian Karel Steenbrink criticized the 105-minute movie, saying it would be offensive to some Muslims.

"It is not a prudent way of welcoming people to the Netherlands," said Steenbrink, a professor at the University of Utrecht. "Minister Verdonk has radical ideas."

But Mohammed Sini, the chairman of Islam and Citizenship, a national Muslim organization, defended the film, saying that homosexuality is "a reality."

Sini urged all immigrants "to embrace modernity."

A censored version with no homosexual and nude material had been prepared because it is illegal to show such images in Iran and some other countries, filmmaker Walter Goverde said.

"With all the respect I have for all religions, I think people need to understand that Holland has its own liberal side as well," he said.

After viewing the film, which is available in most languages, applicants are then quizzed on important Dutch factoids such as the number of provinces that make up the Netherlands; the role played by William of Orange in the country's history; and Queen Beatrix's monarchial functions.

There are some major exemptions. EU nationals, asylum-seekers and skilled workers who earn more than $54,000 per year will not be required to take the 30-minute computerized exam.

Also, citizens of the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan and Switzerland are exempt.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press [3/15/06]

Gay film to test Dutch migrants

AMSTERDAM: Two men kissing in a park and a topless female bather are featured in a film that will be shown to would-be immigrants to The Netherlands.

The reactions of applicants will be examined to see whether they are able to accept the country's liberal attitudes.

From Wednesday, the DVD -- which also shows the often crime-ridden ghettos where poorer immigrants might end up living -- will form part of an entrance test, in Dutch, covering the language and culture of Holland.

Those sitting the test will be expected to know which country Crown Princess Maxima comes from (Argentina) and whether hitting women and female circumcision are permitted.

Muslim leaders in Holland say the film is offensive.

"It really is a provocation aimed to limit immigration. It has nothing to do with the rights of homosexuals. Even Dutch people don't want to see that," said Abdou Menebhi, the Moroccan-born director of Emcemo, an organisation that helps immigrants to settle.

"They are trying to find every pretext to show that people should not come to The Netherlands because they are fundamentalist or not emancipated," he said. "They confront people with these things and then judge them afterwards."

Famile Arslan, 34, an immigration lawyer of Turkish origin, agreed. "I have lived here for 30 years and have never been witness to two men kissing in the park. So why are they confronting people with that?" she said.

She accused the Government of preaching tolerance about civil rights while targeting non-Westerners with harsh and discriminatory immigration curbs.

The new test -- the first of its kind in the world -- marks another step in the transformation of Holland from one of Europe's most liberal countries to the one cracking down hardest on immigration.

Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk, known as Iron Rita, has introduced compulsory integration classes, higher age limits for marriage to people from abroad and the removal of residency permits if immigrants commit petty crimes.

She has also talked of banning the burka.

The measures were prompted in part by outrage over the 2004 murder of filmmaker Theo Van Gogh, who had made a film about the oppression of women in Muslim communities.

Applicants will sit the exam at one of 138 embassies around the world. They will answer 15 minutes of questions and those who pass the first stage will have to complete two "citizenship" tests over five years and swear a pledge of allegiance to Holland and its constitution.

The Centre-Right Government of Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende believes the tests will provide an objective way of assessing the suitability of applicants by gauging how well prepared they are to make the transition to Dutch life and their willingness to integrate.

Dirk Nieuwboer, a Dutch journalist based in Istanbul, said the multiple-choice cultural test included a question about how to behave in a cafe if two men at the next table started kissing.

"There was another question about which former Dutch colony a particular spice came from," said Nieuwboer.

"Most Dutch people don't know these things."

The Sunday Times March 13, 2006 www.theaustralian.news.com.au

Dutch set 'blue movie' entry test

The Dutch have set a tough new test for would-be immigrants.

A new film tests applicants' readiness to participate in the liberal Dutch culture, as the camera focuses on two gay men kissing in a park, before a topless woman emerges from the sea and walks on to a crowded beach. If they can't stomach it, no need to apply

Whether or not they find the film offensive, applicants must buy a copy and watch it if they hope to pass The Netherlands' new entrance examination.

The test - the first of its kind in the world - has been made compulsory and is available at 138 Dutch embassies around the world. Taking the exam costs £240.

"Immigrants wishing to settle in The Netherlands for, in particular, the purposes of marrying or forming a relationship will be required to take the civic integration examination abroad," the immigration ministry said in a statement.

The test is part of a broader crackdown on immigration that has been gathering momentum in The Netherlands since 2001.

Not everyone is happy with the new test. Dutch theologian Karel Steenbrink criticised the 105-minute movie, saying it would be offensive to some Muslims.

There are some major exemptions. EU nationals, asylum-seekers and skilled workers who earn more than £31,000 per year will not be required to take the 30-minute computerised exam.

Also, citizens of the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan and Switzerland are exempt.

Mohammed Sini, the chairman of Islam and Citizenship, a national Muslim organisation, defended the film, saying that homosexuality is "a reality". Sini urged all immigrants "to embrace modernity".

Turkey Reacts to Language Restriction in Netherlands

Immigrants asked to speak Dutch in Netherlands

THE HAGUE: Dutch Immigration Minister Rita Verdonk has sparked a new controversy in the national debate about integration of immigrants after saying this weekend that only Dutch should be spoken on the streets here.

“Speaking Dutch in the street is very important. I receive more and more e-mails from people saying they feel unheimisch (ill at ease) in the street,” Verdonk said at a weekend congress of her liberal VVD party about integration. The minister’s comment seemed to contradict her own Dutch-only call, since she resorted to using the German word “unheimisch”, which translates loosely into “ill at ease” but has no direct translation in Dutch.

“I want to set up a code of conduct about what we as Dutch people feel is important if you live here,” she added.
The minister, whose plans for obligatory tests of Dutch language and culture paid for by prospective immigrants recently got the green light from the parliament, now wants to set up a code of conduct that will forbid the use of a foreign language in the streets of the Netherlands.
According to the popular De Telegraaf daily a majority of parliament, consisting of the ruling CDA Christian Democrats, VVD and the opposition right-wing fringe party LPF, supports Verdonk’s plans but says it should be up to municipalities to decide if they want to put into place the code of conduct.

Dutch port city Rotterdam recently presented such a code of conduct for its inhabitants. Rotterdam, where half of the population is of immigrant descent, adopted a code of conduct with seven points set up to regulate contact between its inhabitants.
The Rotterdam code states that Dutch should be the official language used “in school, at work, in the street and in community centres”.
“An informal code will not change people’s behaviour,” progressive Christian daily Trouw writes yesterday, recalling that the Rotterdam code says people “should do” something, but does not require the “must do” it.

In the Hague, where the municipality is fighting to keep the siege of several international institutions currently based there, the authorities are none too taken with the idea, according to Pieter van Woensel, the VVD’s local alderman for international affairs.
“I think it is not very likely that it will be a success,” he told the NRC-Handelsblad paper.
Confronted with the media controversy about her plans, Verdonk on Monday told Dutch public radio that people would not be forbidden from using their native language if it is not Dutch.

“There will not by a law or some sort of language police,” she said. “What is important is that foreigners who want to permanently reside in the Netherlands use Dutch as the language of communication.”
Last week the Dutch, the Dutch parliament approved plans to have prospective immigrants take obligatory Dutch culture and language tests, for 350 euros ($430) a pop. But the government is not making any preparatory courses available beyond a film presenting the Netherlands and providing examples of the tests.

Recently Dutch public television broadcast a programme in which various groups residing in the Netherlands sat the tests - among them native-born Dutch nationals, Chinese restaurant owners and so on.
They all failed. – AFP

Politicians heap ridicule on Verdonk's language drive

AMSTERDAM — "Oh no. Minister Verdonk doesn't allow me to speak English in public anymore," MP Bert Bakker joked during a parliamentary debate in The Hague on Monday afternoon.

Bakker, a member of the junior government party D66, promised to adhere to the language initiative Verdonk wants to include in a code of conduct to enhance the Dutch identity. But in response to a question from a colleague, Bakker said: "That goes without saying."

Parliamentarians were discussing the new well-being legislation (WMO) on Monday but references to the 'Verdonk code' made repeated appearances.

Moroccan-born MP Naïma Azough of the green-left Groenlinks talked about the "extreme make over" being planned by the health ministry to the law that deals with the welfare of senior citizens, people with disabilities and the chronically ill.

MP Margot Kraneveldt of the populist LPF party asked about the "bling, bling" of the new law. Bakker categorised the legal changes as "pimp my law".

Other parliamentarians also got into the spirit, with references to "go, no go" (the point at which a final decision would be taken on whether to implement the changes) and "comply or explain".

Though whimsical, the behaviour during the debate illustrates the political opposition Verdonk faces in trying to compel everyone to speak Dutch in public.

Verdonk, a member of the Liberal Party (VVD), outlined her idea for a code of conduct to strengthen the Dutch national identity at a conference of the VVD's youth wing at the weekend. The young Liberals rejected her proposal immediately.

She told journalists afterwards she believes allochtonen (non-native Dutch residents) have a need for rules that illustrate what is expected of them.

Copying the Rotterdam Code, which was unveiled by political leaders in the port city on Friday, Verdonk said her national code would emphasise the need for everyone to embrace non-discrimination and equality between men and women.

Verdonk said she often heard autochtone (native Dutch people) say 'you have settled in the Netherlands and therefore you have to speak Dutch. Full stop.' The minister claimed this definition was "also liberal" because her party wanted to ensure people "felt safe".

Some of her party colleagues don't agree. Pieter van Woensel, the VVD's Alderman for International Affairs in The Hague, characterised the obligation to speak Dutch in the street as "not very likely" to succeed.

Laetitia Griffith, a VVD member of the Amsterdam's executive council, also dismissed the idea. She said people must have the right to speak the language of their choice in public – as long as it did not cause a nuisance.