Reception of European War Refugees in the Netherlands in the 20th Century (Dutch language paper)

What is it about?

How were European war victims received in the Netherlands? Were they given a warm welcome or was their arrival hampered? In this paper we compare the reception of three groups: Belgium refugees during the first world war, displaced persons after the second world war and asylum seekers from the civil wars in former Yugoslavia. There is no consistency in the admittance policy. Material interests prevail with respect to the displaced persons after the second world war, whereas moral arguments seem to have been dominant towards Belgian and Yugoslavian refugees. At least in the beginning. The longer their stay lasted the more material arguments were heard. During the 20th century the role of national and international law and legal proceedings has become more important. This juridification does not seem to have contributed to a growing willingness to admit refugees from war. However, it did strengthen the position of asylum seekers staying in the Netherlands.

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