Netherlands: Somali pirates thinking of immigrating

Netherlands: Somali pirates thinking of immigrating

Update:

According to State Secretary of Justice Nebahat Albayrak (Labor), the Somalis on trial will not be considered for a residence permit. She points out that the Somalis did not flee to the Netherlands, but were brought there in order to be put on trial, and says that she completely agrees with the parliament members who say that the pirates should not be rewarded with a permit. She is required to handle a request, but a criminal past is reason for refusing asylum.

Source: Trouw (NL)

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Arrested Somali pirates who are now in the Netherlands on trial for their deeds say they would like to stay in the Netherlands. "It's a good life here."

Suspected pirate Sayid will stand trial on Monday with four of his countrymen in the first Dutch pirate trial. "I want an education during my imprisonment, and I appeal to the government not to send me back to Somalia. The people who live here respect human rights. I want to live here," he told Volkskrant.

Fellow suspect Farah also thinks the Netherlands is good. "My client feels safe here. He eat well, can play football and watch television. He thinks the toilet in his cell is so fantastic," according to his lawyer Willem-Jan Ausma.

According to De Volkskrant Ausma explained to his client that he could realistically get four years in prison and that he has a chance for a residence permit. "He's naturally delighted. He hopes to do computer training and to have his family come over."

The lawyer feels that the trials in the Netherlands, but also in France, the US and Kenya, would encourage potential pirates rather than deter them. "Anything is better than sitting on a wharf in Somalia."

Source: Telegraaf (Dutch)

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