The Dutch embassy in Pakistan temporarily halted visa services on Monday “due to circumstances beyond [their] control” shortly after the attorney representing Christian blasphemy law victim Asia Bibi suggested Bibi and her family were seeking asylum in the European country. Pakistan’s Supreme Court acquitted Bibi of a death sentence for allegedly insulting Muhammad last month, triggering violent riots nationwide led by influential Islamist groups. The Pakistani government responded by brokering a “deal” with the Islamists to allow yet another appeal on Bibi’s case, though the Supreme Court is the nation’s court of last resort, in exchange for a temporary end to protests.Bibi’s family has reportedly begun applying for asylum in the Western world, citing calls by thousands of rioters throughout the nation for Bibi to be hung or handed over for a mob lynching. Bibi’s husband and children have stated they have struggled to purchase … [Read more...] about Netherlands Cuts Pakistan Visa Services amid Islamist Threats over Asia Bibi
Netherlands
Netherlands resumes visa service in Pakistan after brief halt
By Asif Shahzad ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - The Netherlands resumed visa and passport services in Pakistan on Monday following a brief suspension, denying that its embassy had closed over security concerns after the country gave shelter to the lawyer of a Christian woman in a blasphemy case. Hard-line Islamists in Pakistan have blocked streets and called for the killing of judges after the Supreme Court overturned on Oct. 31 the conviction of Asia Bibi, a mother of five, who had been on death row for eight years. Bibi's lawyer, Saiful Mulook, fled to the Netherlands soon after the verdict, citing death threats. The Dutch government said on Thursday that it had offered him temporary shelter. On Friday the Dutch government said in a statement that its embassy in Pakistan, which is in a tightly guarded "diplomatic enclave", had temporarily halted issuing visas "due to circumstances beyond our control". On Monday evening, the embassy updated the statement: "The Netherlands embassy in Pakistan … [Read more...] about Netherlands resumes visa service in Pakistan after brief halt
Dutch Days Event marks 45 years of Vietnam-Netherlands ties
The event, co-organized by the Dutch Embassy in Vietnam and the People’s Committee of Can Tho city, has attracted a large number of visitors and residents with an extravaganza of activities such as bike rides, a painting exhibition, stalls introducing Dutch cuisine and a kids’ corner. A series of seminars have been held during the event, aiming to strengthen trade links and educational cooperation between the two countries. Visitors also had the opportunity to visit The Fruit Republic Company in Can Tho and enjoy films featuring Dutch culture. Dutch Ambassador Elsbeth Akkerman affirmed that after a long and prosperous relationship over the past 45 years, the Netherlands and Vietnam will continue to work together to bring further advancements in trade, culture, tourism and education. With Strategic Partnership Agreements on agriculture, water management and climate change, the Netherlands are determined to make great strides in implementing plans to increase income for … [Read more...] about Dutch Days Event marks 45 years of Vietnam-Netherlands ties
Attorney: Pakistani Christian Asia Bibi Seeking Asylum in Netherlands
Asia Bibi, a Christian mother recently acquitted by Pakistan’s Supreme Court of a blasphemy conviction that carried a death sentence, is seeking asylum in the Netherlands with her family, her lawyer revealed on Friday. Saiful Malook, who fled Pakistan this week to the Netherlands and has allegedly hinted that he may also seek political asylum there, revealed that Bibi, her husband, and two daughters are seeking asylum in the Netherlands.“Last week, a majority of parties in the Dutch Parliament urged the government to temporarily take charge of Ms Bibi and her family after she was acquitted by Pakistan’s Supreme Court of blasphemy charges for which she had been sentenced to death eight years ago,” the Indo-Asian News Service (IANS) reports. Radical Islamists, mainly linked to anti-blasphemy Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) party, have orchestrated riots across the Muslim country and threatened to kill Bibi, her lawyer, and the judges who cleared her on October 31. … [Read more...] about Attorney: Pakistani Christian Asia Bibi Seeking Asylum in Netherlands
Denmark-Netherlands subsea power cable reaches Dutch coast
AMSTERDAM (Reuters) - A subsea power line set to link the networks of Denmark and the Netherlands reached the Dutch coast on Friday as part of plans to share excess electricity from wind farms and other sources. The 325 km (202 mile) long COBRAcable, short for Copenhagen, Brussels and Amsterdam, has a capacity of around 700 megawatts (MW) and is expected to become fully operational in the third quarter of 2019. "This is an important step towards the integration of electricity networks in western Europe", said Jeroen Brouwers, spokesman for Dutch grid operator TenneT. "We will now have the first link between the Netherlands and Denmark, adding to existing connections with Norway and Britain." TenneT and Danish counterpart Energinet.dk have invested 621 million euros ($705 million) in the project, supported by a 86 million euro subsidy from the European Commission as part of efforts to build a European electricity network. The link will run from Endrup in Denmark to Eemshaven in the … [Read more...] about Denmark-Netherlands subsea power cable reaches Dutch coast