Faber refuses to agree with ribbon for five former employees of the COA

Minister Marjolein Faber (asylum and migration, PVV) opposes the plans to give five former employees of the Central Agency for Asylum Seekers (COA) a royal award. Her spokesperson confirms this on Sunday against ANP news agency, after previous reporting from De Telegraaf. She refuses to sign her under the nomination of the five, who are committed to the reception of asylum seekers and refugees as volunteers.

Faber refuses to agree because the work of the volunteers is ‘perpendicular’ on her policy. « I stand for a strict asylum policy, because I want to drastically lower the inflow. And the number of residence permits too. »

Whether the minister will actually stop the ribbon is still the question. Informs submitted to the municipality are assessed, after approval from the mayor and the King’s Commissioner, by the so -called chapter for the civil orders. They then give advice to the minister concerned, who, according to the website, must come up with ‘targeted arguments’ to deviate from the advice. Fabers Decree is remarkable: Ministers almost always agree. If the minister and the chapter do not come out together, the Council of Ministers will decide.

The asylum minister can count on support from her party leader. Writes on x Geert Wilders: « Why would we reward people who contribute to pampering asylum seekers with a royal ribbon? » Other politicians react in anger. « Minister Faber is about the boundaries of decency here. Where are the values ​​and norms of this cabinet? » Henri Bontenbal on X. Pieter Grinwis, Member of Parliament for the ChristenUnie, calls the decision of Faber « bizarre, indecent and heartless. » BBB leader Caroline van der Plas writes on X: « I hope this is a April 1 joke, but if so, it’s a very bad joke. »

The COA tells ANP ‘with great surprise’ to have taken note of the refusal of Faber. According to the COA, it is justified if people who are committed to society are rewarded with a ribbon and thus appreciate their work. « That applies to the people who earn a ribbon and for our employees and the many volunteers we are extremely proud of, » said Milo Schoenmaker.

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