(Dutch News) An increasing number of asylum requests that would have been granted previously are now being turned down because of new rules governing “credibility,” current affairs show Nieuwsuur reported on Monday evening.
The programme spoke to lawyers, refugee agency Vluchtelingenwerk and experts about the changes, which came into effect on July 1.
The change was introduced by former minister [Eric] van der Burg with the aim of increasing the rejection rate, Nieuwsuur said. But lawyers say in practice the rules are leading to more work for the immigration service.
Before the changes, 81% of requests for asylum made in the Netherlands were honoured, compared with an EU average of 53%.
