Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Tensions
Since 2000, the Netherlands' historically tolerant policy toward migrants has been called into question. Pim For-
tuyn, a right-wing politician, declared the country 'full' before being assassinated in 2002. Social tensions flared
anew in 2004, when filmmaker Theo van Gogh - known for his anti-Muslim views - was shot and stabbed to
death on a street by Oosterpark. In a city famous for its open-mindedness, what did it mean that a native Amster-
dammer, albeit of foreign descent, was behind the crime? The national government responded in 2006 by passing
a controversial immigration law requiring newcomers to be competent in Dutch language and culture before they
could get a residency permit. Citizens from the EU, USA and Japan were exempt due to preexisting arrange-
ments. This meant the policy mostly fell on immigrants from non-Western countries, including Morocco and Tur-
key.
Going Forward
While the national government has swung to the right and tried to curb immigration as part of its policies, Ams-
terdam still leans left. It is remarkably integrated compared with some other European capitals. Immigrants aren't
relegated to suburbs; just walk around De Pijp and you'll hear five or 10 languages spoken. The city's multiracial
character is a point of pride and, post-Theo, many Amsterdammers have scoffed at nationalist politicians such as
MP Geert Wilders, the firebrand who likened the Quran to Mein Kampf . And Amsterdammers always seem
ready to bond over commerce - the wildly diverse Albert Cuypmarkt in De Pijp and Dappermarkt in the Oost are
two fantastic places to see this in action.
Local Life
Oosterpark
Oosterpark (s'-Gravesandestraat; dawn-dusk) was laid out in 1891 to accommodate the diamond traders
who found their fortunes in the South African mines, and it still has an elegant, rambling feel, complete with regal
grey herons swooping around the ponds. On the south side, look for two monuments: one commemorates the ab-
olition of slavery in the Netherlands in 1863; the other, De Schreeuw (The Scream), honours free speech and,
more specifically, filmmaker Theo van Gogh, who was murdered here in 2004 ( Click here ) .
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