Motives for Asylum Seekers to Come to the Netherlands: Summary of an Expert Meeting (Motieven van asielzoekers om naar Nederland te komen: Verslag van een expert meeting)

• NCJ Number: 185712
• Author(s): C. Bijleveld; A. P. Taselaar
• Date Published: February 2000
• Length: 61 pages
• Sale Source: Netherlands Ministry of Justice
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Country: Netherlands
• Note: Document is in Dutch, with an English summary.

Annotation

This report summarizes a May 1999 meeting on pull factors that influence asylum seekers' choice of the Netherlands as country of destination.

Abstract

Experts at the May 1999 meeting noted that the Netherlands had a disproportionate share of the burden of asylum seekers and identified pull factors that influenced their choice. Those who travel independently often have vague notions of the Netherlands as a kind, democratic, aliens-friendly country with good social services. The presence of family and friends in the Netherlands is also considered a pull-factor for this group. In general, the push-factor is considered more important than the pull-factor for this type of asylum seeker. For those smuggled by professional organizations, the trafficking organization often chooses the country of destination. Duration of the procedure, quality of care, high success rate, and reputation of the Netherlands as a transport nation influence that decision. Meeting participants claimed that shortening the procedure would be an effective and safe measure, as shortened procedures are considered beneficial for the individual asylum seeker and unfavorable for professional smugglers. Tables, notes, figures, appendixes