THE HAGUE–The Royal Dutch Navy ship assigned to the Caribbean would be more useful in the Mediterranean Sea to curb the migration flow from Africa, according to Member of the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament Thierry Baudet of the Forum for Democracy FvD. Baudet sent written questions along this line to Dutch caretaker Minister of Defence Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert on Monday. He did so in response to media reports of late July that the Dutch Navy ship Zr. Ms. Zeeland had been repaired following technical problems with its main engine and that it was back at sea to perform its duties.
Baudet asked the Minister whether she agreed that it would send a more forceful message if she were to order the Dutch Navy to deploy the Zr. Ms. Zeeland in the Mediterranean Sea “where its presence was more needed than in the Caribbean.”
In Baudet’s opinion the migration flow from Africa on the Mediterranean Sea was “out of control” and required urgent attention. He asked the Minister which measures the Dutch Government was taking to curb the immigration flow and whether the Netherlands would press for collective action of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation NATO to stop this illegal immigration from Africa.
Baudet (34) has been a Member of Parliament for four months. Illegal immigration has his special interest. Earlier this month he submitted another set of questions regarding this topic and the involvement of non-governmental organisations NGOs that in his opinion “smuggle illegal immigrants from Africa under the pretence of rescue missions.”
The Dutch Navy ships that are deployed to the Caribbean on a rotating basis have multiple tasks. The vessel supports the Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard and works closely with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to intercept narcotics transports. The ship’s crew also provide assistance after the passage of a hurricane or other natural disasters.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/68557-baudet-suggests-removing-navy-ship-from-caribbean
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