Areas of Work

International Day Against Racism

A Roma Rap

...produced in the Netherlands for the International Day Against Racism, 21 March 2012

______________________________

STATELESS DRIVEN TO DESPAIR

Here is a film about the causes of the statelessness among the Roma in the Netherlands and especially the consequences thereof now and in the future of their children. How did things ever get to this stage, with people becoming stateless, and how does this affect children’s rights? Based on two Roma families, the Roma self-organisation Triana and Defence for children, the pressing situation of almost 1000 Roma families in the Netherlands that are trying to survive becomes painfully clear. Since they do not know their nationality, they usually have no right to housing and social security benefits, they are not allowed to work and cannot take out a health insurance.

The film was financially supported by:
• Stichting Democratie en Media
• Gemeente Utrecht
• Stichting Steunfonds Juventute
• KerkinActie

Click on the picture to watch the movie...

For more info in Dutch, click Roma: stateloos maakt radeloos

__________________________________

Statement from the Conference on Persons converted from Islam to Christianity in Asylum Procedures

Asylum policy in the Netherlands regarding the persecution of Christians, distinguishes two problematic aspects that deserve the particular attention of the church. First of all, the failure to appreciate the many problems with which especially converts have to face in their countries of origin. Secondly, the judgement whether an asylum seeker is really a (converted) Christian, is – in practice – essentially made arbitrarily.

For detailed information, please read the Statement from the conference in Utrecht on persons converted from Islam to Christianity in asylum procedures. More information on the conference and presentations in English can be found on:
http://www.kerkinactie.nl/Particulieren/Actueel/Nieuws/Geloofsvervolging-onvoldoende-meegewogen-in-asielprocedure--n7072.