I amsterdam - 'We Amsterdammers'

November 2nd, 2004.
Theo van Gogh* is murdered in Amsterdam, leaving a disturbing impression of the tension building up between the various groups in the city - shock waves which can still be felt months threafter. In reaction to this tension, Amsterdam's College of the Mayor and Aldermen launched the 'Wij Amsterdammers' (‘We, the people of Amsterdam’) action plan two weeks after the murder.

Amsterdam citizenship
This action plan represents the next phase of the “Basic Premises for Countering Terrorism" policy document that was presented earlier, and it addresses the issue of Amsterdam citizenship. It forms an initial answer to the question of how we should interact with each other in the city and how we can best defend ourselves against people who threaten our freedom.

Although we were prepared for the possibility of an attack in Amsterdam, we were totally unprepared for the abhorrent way in which this attack took place. It put an enormous strain on relations in the city. Terrorism must also be countered at local level.

 “Wij Amsterdammers” summarises the issues we consider to be most pressing:

• Tackling terrorism,
• Countering the process of radicalisation,
• Preventing polarisation, mobilising the positive forces within society.

We want to stimulate the feeling of ‘belonging’. We want to make sure that people do not feel excluded; we want to help them to feel part of society and not feel the need to turn their backs on it. Make sure that people contribute to our society and respect our democracy and the rule of law. In short: Amsterdam is focusing on the factors that bind us, on the need to live together, in the literal sense of the term.

The Broad Initiative on Social Cohesion (Het Breed Initiatief Maatschappelijke Binding)
It is good to note that politicians in The Hague are also concentrating on this issue. Minister Verdonk’s Broad Initiative on Social Cohesion shows that The Hague also thinks that we must just learn to get on with each other. That cohesion is preferable to rejection and exclusion.

The follow-up action plan
A follow-up action plan is containing concrete moves to make society safer and more pleasant to live in. The plan continues along the path we have already embarked upon: on the one hand we will take a tough line on terrorism, while on the other hand we will enforce long-term policy to ensure that citizens stay within the societal boundaries.

We want to expand the ‘wij-group’ as far as possible to include every citizen of Amsterdam who rejects violence and accepts the basic rules of our society; every effort must be made to stop the process of radicalisation. In effect, this boils down to reinforcing citizenship: propagating and enforcing the rules of common decency, explaining about the rule of law, addressing discrimination, broadening economic independence and deepening political and social awareness. These are not just hollow phrases. They are the basis for action.

A few of the activities currently being undertaken:

• A central municipal information desk for radicalisation is being set up to help counter the process of radicalisation. Amsterdam is already in possession of a great deal of information pointing towards radicalisation, which is generated by the daily processes within the numerous municipal services. However, this information is not recognised as being useful in terms of countering radicalisation and often goes unused. The relevant data will now be collected at a central point, where it can be analysed.
• We will put intensive effort into tackling discrimination. Just as we will in the case of violence and incitement to violence. Discrimination is a punishable offence. Irrespective of whether it concerns Moroccans, Jews, homosexuals, women or people from Surinam or the Antilles. Tightened-up measures have been introduced and agreements on admissions policy have been made with the pubs & clubs.
• Good practical training is essential in terms of finding a job, but unfortunately there is a severe shortage of practical training places. The municipal authorities are to hold meetings with bodies including the Dutch Federation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MKB) and the corporate sector in order to create extra training places. The council itself is setting a good example by offering 400 practical training places within the local authority services. A number of new courses are also being devised for schools, including Historical Awareness and World History.
• Amsterdam is to start a media campaign entitled “Intolerant to intolerance”. Loutish behaviour in public places will not be tolerated and offenders will risk severe punishment.
• The proceedings against Mohammed B. provide us with a good opportunity to restate the finer points of our rule of law. Although the proceedings will undoubtedly cause unrest, they will also provide us with a chance. A chance to show how our rule of law works after the legal order has been seriously disturbed. The Amsterdam municipal authorities have commissioned a short guide to be published for schools and colleges, to give a brief outline of matters such as the evolvement of our legal system. This publication will be issued to schools in Amsterdam, along with an offer from the College and the city council to send representatives to any discussions held on the subject.

Society’s ability to defend itself
These are just a few of the numerous activities contained in the plan. Activities that will be supported and implemented by every member of the College. Society must find more ways of defending itself. It must be able to defend itself against radicalisation and polarisation, against destabilisation and disruption. This process is totally reliant on sound social policy and good policy on security. Central Government and Amsterdam need each other if these goals are to be achieved.

From: The College of the Mayor and Aldermen of Amsterdam

* Theo van Gogh (film maker, columnist) publicly criticised the Islamic faith. Together with a Member of the Dutch Parliament, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, he produced a film called 'Submission'. This film showed a woman’s body inscribed with texts from the Koran.