Ghanaians in Holland complain of discrimination

Accra (Greater Accra), 13th May ?99 ?

Some Ghanaians living in the Netherlands on Wednesday said the Dutch government had adopted a policy that make conditions difficult for nationals of Ghana, Nigeria, Pakistan, India and the Dominican Republic living in that country.

According to them this policy had made it difficult for them to legalise and process their documents because their countries have been singled out as "problem countries."

Mr. Sam Owusu, Vice-chairman of Sikaman Foundation and co-ordinator of the Ghana-Nigeria Platform who made these known to newsmen at a press conference in Accra, appealed to President Jerry Rawlings to come to the aid of Ghanaians living in that country.

The Platform that serves as a forum to fight for the rights of nationals of Ghana and Nigeria is made up of the Council of Churches and non-governmental organisations.

Mr Owusu said they have contacted Amnesty International, the Dutch Justice Ministry and Ombudsman for redress.

He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ghana had failed to step in to save the situation despite numerous complaints made by Ghanaians living in the Netherlands to the government of Ghana to take the matter up with the Dutch embassy in Accra.

Mr Owusu said Ghanaian or Nigerian applicants are subjected to hardships, inhuman and unacceptable conditions by the Dutch police.

He said applicants are forced to sign and agree to verifications as part of their requirements for legalisation. This verification sometimes includes interrogating relatives back home.

Mr Owusu recounted the many instances where Nigerian and Ghanaian nationals have suffered a brutalities which sometimes result in deaths.