Omi
15th October 2009, 18:41
This evening the Dutch parliament passed a law banning the right to squat buildings.
Previously, squatting was considered legal under Dutch jurisdiction, provided that the building which is squatted has not been in use for 365 days.
The penalty for squatting according to the new law can now lead up to 2 and a half years in prison if the squat is done with a group and serious resistance occurs during the eviction.
Squatting is a common phenomenon in Holland ever since the movement emerged in the late 60's. Especially in Amsterdam there are a lot of squatted buildings, but almost everywhere where there are leftists, and empty buildings, you will find squatters.
Lots of social initiatives have emerged out of the squat movement, including workplaces, social centres, bars, restaurants, give-away-shops, concert venues, festivals and much much more.
Almost every institution in Holland connected to housing (except capitalist corporations and rightist party's) has spoken out against the new law, supporting the squat movement and everything it has done for the struggle for social housing and cultural initiatives. This includes the city council of almost every big city where squatters are active!
There is now a big camping action at the square where the parliament is seated, but police has told the activists they want to evict the square at 9 o clock this evening.
They already evicted the public tribune in the parliament after disturbances broke out when they where discussing the new law.
Previously, squatting was considered legal under Dutch jurisdiction, provided that the building which is squatted has not been in use for 365 days.
The penalty for squatting according to the new law can now lead up to 2 and a half years in prison if the squat is done with a group and serious resistance occurs during the eviction.
Squatting is a common phenomenon in Holland ever since the movement emerged in the late 60's. Especially in Amsterdam there are a lot of squatted buildings, but almost everywhere where there are leftists, and empty buildings, you will find squatters.
Lots of social initiatives have emerged out of the squat movement, including workplaces, social centres, bars, restaurants, give-away-shops, concert venues, festivals and much much more.
Almost every institution in Holland connected to housing (except capitalist corporations and rightist party's) has spoken out against the new law, supporting the squat movement and everything it has done for the struggle for social housing and cultural initiatives. This includes the city council of almost every big city where squatters are active!
There is now a big camping action at the square where the parliament is seated, but police has told the activists they want to evict the square at 9 o clock this evening.
They already evicted the public tribune in the parliament after disturbances broke out when they where discussing the new law.