Ukraine-Netherlands:Time running out on Ukraine referendum - by Janene Pieters

The Dutch government is running out of time for finding a solution on what to do about ratifying the associatioin agreement between the European Union and Ukraine.

The deadline is November 1st. And it doesn't seem likely that a decision will be made on Friday, NU.nl reports.

"Today and in the coming days we are considerably going to talk about it", Minsiter Bert Koenders said, according to NU. "We still have a few days. We'll try to find a solution to the last moment."

Prime Minister Mark Rutte failed to find support among the opposition parties for a compromise. The compromise entails still ratifying the treaty, but also addressing the concerns of the voter majority that voted against the treaty in the Ukraine referendum in April.

The government wants a binding amendment added to the treaty which explicitly states that the treaty is not a prelude to EU membership for the Ukraine, that the Netherlands has the right to refrain from military cooperation and that extra money will not be transferred to the east European country. 

Note Almere Digest: The military component of this treaty is what most people who voted against it in the referendum are bothered by. The reason is simple: The majority of Dutch citizens don't want to continue to be part of US military adventures like the one the Netherlands is presently involved in the Middle East. A cruel and never ending war in Syria or Iraq, which is not only a total failure, but also costing the Dutch taxpayers millions of Euros, and the result of a massive flow of millions of refugees into  the EU.  

Read more: Time running out on Ukraine referendum | NL Times

The Netherlands: Dutch MP snubs Netanyahu, refuses to shake Israeli PM’s hand (VIDEO)

A Dutch politician has refused to shake the outstretched hand of Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on a visit to the Netherlands.

The awkward moment captured on camera shows Tunahan Kuzu standing alongside other politicians as Netanyahu approaches, before Kuzu snubs the Israeli leader.

Netanyahu is then seen shrugging in response and moving away.

Kuzu, who is a vocal supporter of Palestinian rights, has since justified his actions on Facebook, “the red carpet is rolled out” for Netanyahu while the bloodshed of Gaza had been forgotten, in reference to Israel’s war in in the Gaza Strip two years ago.

Read More: Dutch MP snubs Netanyahu, refuses to shake Israeli PM’s hand (VIDEO) — RT News

Netherlands Judiciary: Debt collection agencies poorly regulated and out of control

Dutch Collection Agencies are  out of control

Dutch consumers who find themselves in a debt collection process are not only harassed  by the debt collection agencies,who are poorly regulated in the Dutch judicial system, but will  usually end up deeper in debt.

This shocking finding has become evident from an analysis made by the Dutch Consumer Association (Nederlandse Consumentenbond) of complaints they received at their "Debt Complain Center hotline" which was opened in the spring of this year. On this Hotline more than 200 personal, often deeply disturbing and emotional stories, have disclosed how inhumane people are treated .

The Consumers Association says the situation is totally out of control and Bart Combée, Director of the Dutch consumer association says: “the human dimension in this process is completely lost.

When consumers want to contact the collection agency, they often get no answer or the door slammed in their face. If the collection train starts running, the consumer can usually not stop it, other than by paying”.

The most common complaints about the Dutch debt collection processes are, rapidly increasing and not clearly specified costs. Threatening letters about wage garnishment, foreclosure sales or lawsuits. Even while  the debt collection agencies re not empowered to do so, or when it only concerns a debt of a few euro's.

The Consumer Association wants the Judiciary to establish clear and precise regulations concerning the
procedures to be followed by Dutch collection agencies and also want the Judiciary to firmly intervene when collection agencies violate the rules. It also recommends that companies, collection agencies and bailiffs should be more accessible and willing to offer more customization to the process.

It also wants to see that the intimidating behavior of the collection agencies to be addressed immediately..

Bart Combée, Director of the Consumer association says: 'The human dimension is totally lost in this particular area of the law".

When consumers want to contact the collection agency, they often get no answer, or the door slammed in
their face.

In the Netherlands - once the collection train starts rolling, it wont stop, other than by paying, usually a lot more than expected. This regardless if one disputes a claim".

Dutch law on debt collection (under the hereditary responsibility clause)  even allows claims to be made to people whose debts are not theirs, but debts owed by family members ( parents) who had deceased  

These outdated Dutch legal laws, unfortunately, still remain on the Judicial books in the Netherlands The Dutch Consumer Agency  wants the Netherlands parliament to intervene in this matter but so far noting really concrete or significant has happened.

 Almere-Digest

Netherlands - Armenia: Dutch parliament overrules “Armenian genocide” motion

The motion proposing to recognize 1915 events in Tukey as “Armenian genocide” was overruled by Dutch parliament with 78 pros against 63 cons today Friday 10th of April.

The Dutch Parliament also refused to approve a resolution prescribing to adopt in government’s official language “Armenian genocide” instead of “Armenian genocide issue” which has been used for many years.

The parliament also overruled another motion requiring to send King Willem Alexander, Prime Minister Mark Rutte or at least one of the Dutch Government ministers to Armenia to attend the so-called "commemoration genocide ceremony" which will be held on April 24. Instead the motion calling both Turkish and Armenian nations to develop mutual understanding and expressing the wish that any commemoration ceremonies would contribute to respect and acceptance between the two communities was overwhelmingly approved.

The DENK movement – a political organization established by Turkish people living in Netherlands – and being represented in the Dutch parliament with two deputies, stated that they have voted against the resolutions and they will continue to spend all of their efforts to block such future motions.

“Dutch parliament is not the right place to make a judgements about some unfortunate occurrances which happened some 100 years ago,” DENK deputy Tunahan Kuzu underscored. 

Note EU-Digest: Good move by Dutch Parliament - before the Armenian Diaspora seriously can start accusing anyone about Genocide they should allow their own Government archives to be opened to international research teams to study historical documents on the issue, like the Turks have done. Present actions by the Armenian Diaspora on this issue are now seen by many political observers around the world more as a fund raising issue than anything else. 

EU-Digest