Ayaan Hirsi Ali, whom I wrote about here, is the subject of an intense debate in Holland, which has not yet been resolved.
Earlier today, it was announced that her citizenship had been revoked by a government minister, “Iron” Rita Verdonk.
Sometime later, Hirsi Ali, the “Enlightenment fundamentalist,” made a statement thanking her Dutch sponsors and outlining her plans for the future:
I will continue to ask uncomfortable questions, despite the obvious resistance that they elicit. I feel that I should help other people to live in freedom, as many people have helped me. I personally have gone through a long and sometimes painful process of personal growth in this country. It began with learning to tell the truth to myself, and then the truth about myself: I strive now to also tell the truth about society as I see it.
(via Jeff Weintraub)
Now, as I write, it appears that the decision to revoke her citizenship is up in the air.
NOS Journaal reports: that Verdonk will reconcider her decision and coduct an investigation to see whether there are reasons Ayaan could keep her nationality.
It was a brutal debate and lasted until 2.45 AM Dutch time.
The debate was about whether or not Secretary Verdonk had any legal room. Parliament said yes. Verdonk said no.
The result: Verdonk was ordered by Parliament to, considering that there is legal room, start investigating herself to try and see whether there are exceptional circumstances for Ayaan; so that Ayaan still has received her Dutch nationality.
(via lgf)
2 comments ↓
I also find it despicable how Verdonk and some parts of Dutch society are treating her, but there is also anoher issue at stake here:
it is all good and well that parliament ordered Verdonk to review her decision to strip Ayaan Hirsi Ali of her citizenship - but how many cases are there, where the person in question is not a well known and opinionated figure, an active politician even?
What happens to these people?
Don’t get me wrong: I find the matter, especially considering her particular cirucumstance at the time when she asked for asylum, rather disgraceful for the Netherlands. She should have every right to keep her citizenship. The only thing the irks me is the preferential treatment. I don’t want there to be an exception for her, I want them to change the rules.
I agree with you that preferential treatment for Ayaan Hirsi Ali is not a solution to the problems of others like her. And I hope she would agree. The only benefit of granting it to her is that the issue cannot be swept under the carpet. With this precedent, it will be harder for the government to hide its actions against those who are less famous.
That’s the theory, anyway.
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