Phenomenon analysis ‘Crossing Borders’

Hundreds of thousands of foreign residents in the Netherlands are seen by authorities of other countries, as their own nationals as they themselves, their parents or their grandparents, were born there. All residents of the Netherlands, regardless of their background, have the rights that come with our democracy. Such as freedom of expression, freedom of information and the right to demonstrate. Yet the rights and freedoms of some Dutch citizens, and those of their children and grandchildren, may be endangered in our country by the authorities or intelligence services from their country of birth. These may spy on them (or try to use them for espionage), intimidate them, even kidnap and kill them. There are unfortunately plenty of recent examples of this in Western countries – including the Netherlands.