Far-right Islamophobic and convicted racist Dutch Politician Geert Wilders’ party’s win in the general election is deeply worrying, for minority groups and values such as religious freedom and expression. His win is a worrying sign of divisive far-right populist politics in Europe, a threat to many communities (particularly Muslims) but also fundamental democratic values.
Wilders has a long history of unashamed provocative Islamophobic and openly xenophobic anti-immigrant rhetoric. His party manifesto called for the banning of The Qur’an, banning of Mosques, Muslim Schools and women’s headscarfs. In 2020 Wilders was convicted by a Dutch court of racism to Moroccan people. The UK also refused him visa entry to Britain in 2009 for intending to fuel hate speech. His track record is notorious.
Worryingly, his controversial PVV party is set to rule over 4 million Dutch migrants, and nearly 1 million Dutch Muslims. We urge the PVV’s government coalition partners to do their utmost to prevent their nefarious agenda to discriminate against religious and minority groups, and protect the reputation of a tolerant Netherlands that treats all its citizens equally and fairly.
[ENDS]
Notes to editors:
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