Eritrean community unrest in Netherlands leads to violent protests

Eritrean unrest in The Hague results in several police injuries, underscoring deep-rooted tensions and raising questions about broader political impacts

Recent riots in the Hague involving rival Eritrean groups have resulted in significant police injuries and multiple arrests, highlighting the deep-seated tensions within the Eritrean community in the Netherlands.

The clashes resulted in eight police officers being injured, significant property damage, and the arrest of 13 individuals.

The Hague Mayor Jan van Zanen condemned the violence in strong terms, stating, “The violence used against police officers and equipment is appalling and unacceptable.”

The clashes, characterized by the use of stones, fireworks, and other weapons, escalated rapidly, leading to the deployment of tear gas by police.

Who started the riots in the Hague?

Mirjam van Reisen, who is a professor and expert on Eritrea Tilburg University, has emphasized the need for a comprehensive investigation into the riots as they may have been encouraged by the Eritrean government.

“We’ve seen in past incidents the regime training and deploying paramilitary groups to start riots,” she said. This suspicion arises from a pattern of violence involving Eritreans, both in the Netherlands and other countries, as a similar incident occurred in Tel Aviv last year.

Thus, van Reisen believes there’s a pressing need to understand the instigators and motivations behind these riots. As she puts it, “Their ultimate wish is to have the opposition members returned to Eritrea to deal with them.”

This investigation might reveal whether the riots were a spontaneous outbreak of community tensions or part of the Eritrean government’s larger, more sinister strategy.

Context of protests

Eritrea has been governed by President Isaias Afewerki since 1993 and is known for its repressive regime, with limited press freedom, speech, and religious liberties, as reported by Amnesty International.

Many Eritreans have fled the country, with about 25,000 now residing in the Netherlands. However, not all are political refugees. Some have escaped the violence of the 1980s liberation war, and a segment of this population supports the Afewerki regime.

Van Reisen also pointed out the regime’s influence extending to the Netherlands, with reports of intimidation and financial extortion of Eritrean expatriates by regime agents, as revealed by the Argos radio program.

Dutch national response to Eritrean riots

Far-right leader Geert Wilders, voicing his exasperation, said, “I want to become the prime minister who finally brings some order to this.”

His call for strict measures against the rioters reflects the growing unease in Dutch society over issues related to immigration and integration.

The investigation into the Hague riots is crucial not only for Dutch public safety but also for understanding the complex interplay of political allegiances within the Eritrean community in the Netherlands. The outcomes could have significant implications for both Eritrean expatriates and Dutch immigration policies.

Source: Newsroom