On may 4th we commemorate the Dutch citizens who died because of wars since the start of World War II. We remember those who died defending our country, those who died of war-related hunger and illness and those who died defending the freedom of others outside the Netherlands mostly during peace-keeping operations. We take 2 minutes of silence at 8pm. Then on May 5th we celebrate the fact that we live in freedom during Liberation Day.
As long as I remember I have observed those two minutes of silence even when I was not living in the Netherlands. At 8pm Dutch time, I take time to remember all those who fought (not just Dutch people but also other nationalities that liberated my country) so that I can live in freedom today. I find that important. Having lived in different countries around the world, I have seen first-hand what it means not to have the kind of freedom I have. Be it because one is poor, oppressed or because one is living under occupation. The freedom to make choices in your life and not be persecuted because of it is a privilege we should protect.
Freedom for me means that I can go whereever I want (provided I can afford it). I feel so privileged to have a Dutch/European passport. There is no country that refuses entrance to me with that passport (at least, not that I know of ...). It also means that I can choose what type of work I want to do, that I can choose to change careers while others can not. As such, I even feel an obligation to take that step, just because I CAN. It means I can speak my mind and decide to NOT have a religion.
I admire those who fight for freedom, whether they are in an army or fighting through other means, peacefully within their country to obtain the freedoms we might easily take for granted. The Arab spring is an uplifting example even though people are still dying right now in Syria and elsewhere. But also those who fight for equal rights for men and women, minorities, those under occupation, homosexuals, support a worthy cause. There are so many people who day-in day-out risk their lives to achieve freedom within their country and in the world.
In my country, unfortunately, over the past years, efforts have increased to take away certain freedoms from certains groups. A very important group that is often forgotten are refugees and asylum seekers. They look for freedom from fear and want but when they arrive here they are still far from it. The immigration process can take up to 10 years (including appeals) during which many are not allowed to work or keep up their skills and knowledge. They literally spend most of their time waiting.
Whatever reason people have to come here and whether or not under European and Dutch law they will obtain a residency status, while they are here they should be treated with respect and dignity. Often, when refugees have been told they should return, they either cannot because they lack the proper documentation to reenter their country or they fear prosecution. Then they become illegal residents with even fewer rights (but some still).
A month ago, one Iranien man set himself on fire on the Dam in Amsterdam (ironically, the place where we on the 4th of May commemorate those who fought for our freedom ...). He had been refused a residency permit but preferred to set himself on fire rather than to return to Iran. Multiple people tried to extinguish the fire but to no avail. He died a day later from his injuries.
On a positive note, an Afghan 14-year old girl who had been in our country for 10 years (as you can see, procedures can indeed be slow) was allowed to remain in the Netherlands (and so were here parents) because after having been 10 years in a Western country and being "westernized", people argued that there would be no guarantee she would be safe in Afghanistan (Parliament asked our minister of immigration to treat her case as a special case). In the meantime, of course the question is raised whether that should not also apply to boys ...
There obviously is still an enormous amount of work to do when it comes to protecting our freedoms. If there is anything you can do to celebrate freedom, do so. Live it, never take it for granted, and where possible support others in achieving it, even if it is only through signing a petition.
Have a good week.
Rose
No comments:
Post a Comment