The EU criticized the Netherlands for preferences for Ukrainians amid terrible conditions for other refugees
The situation facing refugees in the Netherlands has long been unacceptable and has worsened in recent months.
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Dunja Mijatović wrote about this in a letter to the government of the Netherlands, reports dpa.
Referring in particular to the Ter Apel refugee registration center, where hundreds of refugees were sleeping on the streets, Mijatović wrote that the current situation “does not even meet the minimum standards” stipulated by the European Convention on Human Rights.
She expressed concern about delays in providing adequate housing and called on the Dutch government to “take all necessary measures to ensure access to adequate housing, food, clean drinking water and sanitation, and to effectively protect people's right to health.”
Mijatović also expressed concern about what she called the "dramatic differences in the treatment of Ukrainians" compared to other nationalities. Discrimination must be prevented, she said.
She noted the death of a three-month-old baby in Ter Appelle more than a week ago, welcoming the ongoing investigation into the cause. Dutch authorities in The Hague said on Friday there was no foul play, but health officials were continuing their investigations.