The Anarchist Anti-deportation Group Utrecht (AAGU) takes action against Kamp Zeist

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Life in a family location:
Raids to Kamp Zeist

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February 1 2017: Knowledge is power: website against Repatriation and Departure Service (DT&V)
A message from 'Stop de DT&V! Stop deportaties!'

English translation of: 1 februari 2017: Kennis is macht: website tegen Dienst Terugkeer en Vertrek
Een bericht van 'Stop de DT&V! Stop deportaties!'

After ten years, the deportation service DT&V (Repatriation and Departure Service) receives the power of putting people in detention themselves and a new director: Jannita Robberse. Time for a website against one of the most feared and hated services in this country: https://stopdtenv.nl.

The website https://stopdtenv.nl aims to keep the service constantly under the microscope, to lift employees and facilitating businesses from the comfort of their anonymity and to provide guidelines to educate yourself and take action. Tracked be news, critical reports, experiences with the service, opinion articles, actions and calls to action. And of course you will find lists of DT & V staff and a blacklist of companies.

Continue here

2016:

December 12, 2016: AAGU activists sentenced in appeal because of action against family prison in council hall

English translation of: 12 december 2016: AAGU-activisten in hoger beroep veroordeeld voor raadszaalactie tegen gezinsgevangenis

On Monday, December 12th 2016, the Court of Appeal in Arnhem confirmed the verdict at first instance of five AAGU activists because of an action during a council meeting in Zeist on October 6 2015. They were tried for disturbing a public meeting and breach of the peace. One activist was, by virtue of its criminal record and the contents of her last word during the session, sentenced to an unconditional prison sentence of two weeks and serving a previous conditional prison sentence of two months. The other five were fined 350 euros.

continue to read here

December 5, 2016: AAGU activists convicted of "libel"

English translation of 5 december 2016: AAGU activisten veroordeeld wegens 'smaadschrift'

On December 5, in the lawsuit against two AAGU activists because of pasting the poster “De Vries en Verburg – Uw duurzame partner in deportaties – Bouwt vol trots de gezinsgevangenis voor vluchtelingen op Kamp Zeist” ("De Vries and Verburg - Your sustainable partner in deportations – Proudly builds the family prison for refugees at Kamp Zeist") the two activists were convicted of libel. Both were fined 250 euros and one of them also got one week suspended sentence with two years probation.

Prior to the lawsuit we stood with posters and the banner carried during the campaign in front of the court for half an hour. Now all of the sudden this was no problem. Reason for the defendants and their lawyers to make a few pictures and send them by e-mail to the prosecutor who was handling the case to rub his nose in it. In other words: What do you mean, libel? Bring it on.

read more here

December 5: continuation of trial against activists charged with "libel": builder family prison for refugees De Vries en Verburg remains blind to its cooperation with deportations.

English translation of December 5: voortzetting rechtszaak tegen activisten wegens 'smaadschrift': bouwer gezinsgevangenis voor vluchtelingen De Vries en Verburg blijft de ogen sluiten voor medewerking aan deportaties.

Trial starts at 1.30 pm, court house The Hague, Prins Clauslaan 60. Before the trial, the activists that have to appear in court will be standing in front of the court house with the posters. If you want to join them, be there at 12.30 pm.

read more here

Campaign against family prison Kamp Zeist: update on the situation and trials of activists

English translation of Campagne tegen gezinsgevangenis Kamp Zeist: update over situatie en rechtzaken activisten

Nearly half a year after the commissioning of the new family prison for refugees at kamp Zeist, AAGU makes up the balance. The family prison is in use but at least that could not happen in silence. An update on the prison and on court cases against activists.

Action at construction fair: trial next Friday, November 4

Last week, answers to parliamentary questions revealed that in the course of this year some 80 children have been locked in this new family prison for refugees at Kamp Zeist. In one breath Secretary Dijkhoff claims the family prison has been built "also in the interest of the child", because without imprisonment "Families with children were not in sight and went into hiding." How these children experience their imprisonment and / or the stressful periods in the so called 'family locations', becomes apparent from the stories that were collected by 'No Child To The Side'.

Read more HERE

September 21: continuation of trial against activists charged with "libel":
builder family prison for refugees De Vries en Verburg remains blind to its cooperation with deportations.

English translation of 21 september: voortzetting rechtszaak tegen activisten wegens 'smaadschrift':
bouwer gezinsgevangenis voor vluchtelingen De Vries en Verburg blijft de ogen sluiten voor medewerking aan deportaties.

Picket Line before trial against AAGU activists - Wednesday, September 21, 1 pm, Court of The Hague

On Tuesday morning April 5 two persons were arrested in Stolwijk on charges of pasting posters against the construction of the new family prison for refugees at Kamp Zeist by local construction company De Vries and Verburg. The two activists now have to appear before the magistrate in The Hague because of 'libel' on September 21 at 1:50 pm. An earlier hearing was postponed to have a witness, who pressed the charges on behalf of De Vries en Verburg and who was called by the activists, heard by the examining magistrate.

continue to read here

English starting page HERE

Campaign against family prison has come to an end: money needed for trials and fines

English translation of Campagne tegen vluchtelingengezinsgevangenis ten einde: geld nodig voor rechtszaken en boetes

AAGU has been taking action against detention and deportation of refugees and against Kamp Zeist in particular. We fight for the freedom of movement for all.

Over the past eighteen months, we have campaigned against the construction of a permanent family prison for refugees at Kamp Zeist. Both children as well adult refugees should not be detained and deported but supported and included in society.

Action at construction fair: the promotion ladies received a penalty of 325 euro..

continue here

Sunday May 29: Demonstration at new family prison at Kamp Zeist

English translation of: Zondag 29 mei: Demonstratie bij nieuwe gezinsgevangenis op Kamp Zeist

Completion of demo tours No Child To The Side - AAGU also calls to come to Kamp Zeist

This Sunday we will again demonstrate at border prison Kamp Zeist. There, the construction of the permanent family prison has been finished, the Rijksvastgoedbedrijf announced on May 20, again fitted with slick promotional materials on their website.


On the banner: "Family prison - Child friendly?"

Continue to read here

English translation of: AAGU stort speelgoed in poort Ministerie van Justitie: dit blijft over van gedeporteerde kinderen
- protest tegen nieuwe permanente gezinsgevangenis op Kamp Zeist The Hague, May 19 2016 – At 2 PM this afternoon the Anarchist Anti Deportation Group Utrecht (AAGU) has dumped a pile of toys in the entrance gat of the Ministry of Safety and Justice (Turfmarkt 147, Den Haag). The toys symbolize what remains of children that have been deported from the Netherlands. The action is a protest against the new permanent family prison at Kamp Zeist near Soesterberg, that will be taken into use around this time. The entrance gate of the ministry has been closed off by a piece of fence, similar to the type of fence around Kamp Zeist. Activist have hung banners and are handing out leaflets.

HANDEN AF VAN VLUCHTKINDEREN! from ANTi·ORDE on Vimeo.

Builder family Prison Kamp Zeist wants conviction for libel
Picket line at trial against AAGU activists - Monday, May 23, 8:30 pm, Court of The Hague

English translation of: Bouwer gezinsgevangenis Kamp Zeist wil veroordeling wegens smaadschrift
Picketline bij rechtszaak tegen AAGU-activisten - maandag 23 mei, 8.30 uur, rechtbank Den Haag

On Monday, May 23 at 9 am the trial of two people arrested for pasting posters' De Vries and Verburg - Your sustainable partner in deportations - proudly builds the family prison for refugees at Kamp Zeist starts in the court house in The Hague,. The indictment reads: libel.

Public Prosecution: Revealing that De Vries en Verburg are building a refugee prison is 'libel'
- activists to stand trial for distributing posters on May 23

English translation of Openbaar Ministerie: Bekendmaken dat De Vries en Verburg een vluchtelingengevangenis bouwt is 'smaad'
- activisten moeten 23 mei voorkomen voor verspreiden posters

Press Release - Anarchist Anti-Deportation Group Utrecht (AAGU)

Utrecht April 10 2016 - On Tuesday morning about 2 PM two people got arrested in Stolwijk on charges of pasting posters against the construction of a new family prison for refugees at Kamp Zeist by local construction company De Vries en Verburg. Now, the two activists have to stand trial because of a 'libel' suit at the magistrate in The Hague, May 23 at 9 am. The big question is how telling the truth can be regarded as 'libel'. AAGU calls to continue to spread the posters.

According to the Prosecution the text on the posters ("Construction company De Vries en Verburg - your durable partner in deportations - Proudly builds the family prison for refugees at Kamp Zeist"), defaces the "honor and/or reputation of Bouwbedrijf De Vries en Verburg BV ". Libal can only be prosecuted after the party concerned pressed charges. So that would be De Vries en Verburg. De Vries en Verburg, however, indeed builds a family prison for refugees at Kamp Zeist, the so-called "Closed Family Facility" in which families and unaccompanied minors are detained pending deportation.
Read more here

Developments around Kamp Zeist: family prison soon in use, detention center may close

English translation of: Ontwikkelingen rond Kamp Zeist: gezinsgevangenis binnenkort in gebruik, detentiecentrum mogelijk dicht Recent developments in Kamp Zeist in Soesterberg are heading in different directions. The permanent family prison for refugees at Kamp Zeist will be put into operation as scheduled sometime late April or early May. The 'regular' detention next to it however, is short-listed for closure next year. The family prison is however supposed to continue to exist as a branch of the detention center at Schiphol.

A source at the municipality of Zeist recently told AAGU that the family prison would be completed around this time. Last week, Bas Stuij, primarily responsible for the project at the construction company (De Vries en Verburg), faced with an action during the construction fair Building Holland, slipped that the company was now ready at Kamp Zeist.

Read more here

Action at construction fair: Bas Stuij of De Vries en Verburg confronted about family prison

English translation of: Actie op bouwbeurs: Bas Stuij van De Vries en Verburg geconfronteerd over gezinsgevangenis

On Thursday March 24 some activists of AAGU visited the construction fair Building Holland in the RAI. Reason: construction company De Vries en Verburg, responsible for building the family prison at Kamp Zeist, had a stand there. Time to hand out some promotional material about the construction project "Closed Family Facility" which makes the company so proud.

Read more here

Kick Off campaign 'No child to the side!"

English translation of: Aftrap campagne 'Geen kind aan de kant!'

Today, March 15, it is the international day against police brutality. Within the movement we are confronted with it all too often. But we are not alone: ​​hundreds of children in the Netherlands have to deal with this every week. They are the children in the family locations. This why 'No child to the side' organizes two demonstration tours on May 21-22 and May 28-29.

In the Netherlands, many refugee families live in so-called 'family locations'. Often they live there for years, usually in one room per family. There are family locations in Gilze, Katwijk, Den Helder, Amersfoort, Emmen, Goes and Burgum. More than a quarter of refugee children in the Netherlands live in a family location.
Read more here

AAGU blocks main entrance of ministry of Safety and Justice

English translation of: AAGU blokkeert hoofdingang Ministerie van Veiligheid en Justitie

(Six people have been arrested, after the demonstration was first forbidden, and people were ordered to leave, which they refused. Among them were the two people in lock-on. It took the BRATRA 40 minutes to get them out of the lock-on. Around three PM everyone was released.)

As of 6 hrs. this morning activists of the Anarchist Anti-deportation Group Utrecht are blocking the main entrance of the ministry of Safety and Justice in Den Haag (Turfmarkt 147). The action is a protest against the planned commissionig of a new prison for refugee families in Soesterberg. Some activists have chained themselves to the gate of the ministry, other are standing with banners and are handing out leaflets.

The action is part of a campaign by AAGU against the construction of the so called 'Closed Family Facility' (GGV), a prison for refugee families and unaccompanied minor refugees. The construction is currently being completed on the terrain of detention center Kamp Zeist near Soesterberg. At the moment, a temporary GGV is already in use, where the first year 128 children have been locked up. 72 of them have been deported.
The government presents the GGV as 'child friendly', but rather does not mention the fact that is indeed a prison, surrounded by fences inside the five meter high walls, that in turn will be surrounded by a penitentiairy fence with live wire and camera surveillance. The inprisonment of children, under whatever circumstances, causes great harm to them anyhow, as research has shown several times.
read more here

Razzia, Kamp Zeist, deportation: M. (15 jr) tells her story

ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF: Razzia, Kamp Zeist, deportatie: M. (15 jr) vertelt

Early in the morning of December 2014, at the time 15 years old, M. was lifted from her bed along with her parents and sister in family location Katwijk by the immigration police. The whole family was transferred to Kamp Zeist, to be deported from there to Armenia five days later. Occasionaly, M. has contact via facebook with her friends who are still in the Netherlands, and tells what happened.

"We were picked up very early from the center in Katwijk. It was seven o'clock in the morning. When they [the police] came in, they said they had consent to take us with them, we were very shocked.

screenshot of livestream from wall next to family prison, November 2014

They also said we had only ten minutes to get the necessary stuff, and then my mother fell in stress. Suddenly I heard my father had cut his hand in the bathroom I started screaming, my mother was crying very loud and my sister started screaming very loud. After a while the ambulance came, and they put a bandage on his hand. Then we were taken by the police to the police station.

Read more here

Terrain of De Vries en Verburg barred in protest against family prison (source: Indymedia)

ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF: Terrein De Vries en Verburg afgesloten in protest tegen gezinsgevangenis

01/28/2016 - Last night 'Slotenmakers Zonder Grenzen' ('Locksmiths Without Borders') has closed the entrance gate of the industrial estate 't Vaartland in Stolwijk with a chain lock. On this terrain the offices of De Vries and Verburg are located, builders of the new family prison for refugees at Kamp Zeist in Soesterberg. At the gate texts are placed against the family prison.

The text on the posters is: ..

Read further here

Wake-up Call for De Vries en Verburg! (source: Indymedia)

ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF: Wake-up Call voor De Vries en Verburg!

Despite a lot of actions, De Vries en Verburg continues to build the family prison for refugees at Kamp Zeist without being troubled by it at all. While refugee families are being lifted from their bed early in the morning and taken to the temporary family prison awaiting their deportation, the employees of De Vries en Verburg turn over in their bed once more. While refugee families are lying in their beds with their clothes on and barely dare to sleep out of fear for raids, the employees of De Vries en Verburg are dreaming.

Wake-up Call received an internal phone list of De Vries en Verburg from a reliable source. Think of a way to use it in a way you see fit.

Read more here

A Prison is not a Refuge: Who Protects the Children of Refugees?

English translation of: Opsluiting is geen opvang: wie beschermt het kind van een vluchteling?

If it is up to the Dutch government, the family prison for refugees at Kamp Zeist will remain the best kept public secret in the land. After all, "the 'closed family facility' (GGV) is not a prison". The national press simply regurgitate the politicians' position without criticism.

It has been this way since 1 October 2014, when the campaign against the then temporary family prison first kicked off. Multiple demonstrations were held, the wall at Kamp Zeist was occupied in November 2014 and during spring and summer 2015, two times holes were cut in the fence at Kamp Zeist - and in this way, in the borders of Fort Europe.

screenshot of live stream from the wall next to the family prison, November 2014

With the announcement that Stolwijk construction company De Vries en Verburg had been charged with constructing the permanent family prison, the protest campaign was stepped up in August 2015. For months on end, we have campaigned against the construction of this prison and the company that's building it. It has become increasingly clear that this "detention centre" is a prison, intended for detaining and deporting families, children and "ex-AMAs" (Alleenstaande Minderjarige Asielzoekers / unaccompanied minors and young adult asylum seekers).

Read further here

December 20 2015: Letter to organizations coalition 'No Child in a Cell'

English translation of: 20 december 2015: Brief aan organisaties coalitie 'Geen Kind in de Cel'

To: participating organizations coalition "No Child in a Cell'

Subject: Current situation Closed Family Facility Kamp Zeist

Dear people,

Over a year ago we sent you our findings with respect to the Closed Family Facility (GGV) at Kamp Zeist in Soesterberg, based on an action in which a number of us had climbed on the high walls surrounding the detention center part and made contact with imprisoned families. This presented a shocking view of what the government thinks it can present as 'family friendly'.

During the past year we have continued to campaign against the construction of the structural GGV at Kamp Zeist. This construction, which is carried out by De Vries en Verburg from Stolwijk, is now in full speed. The structural family prison will also include a prison fence with live wire and camera surveillance, within the five meter high walls, and around it with another new prison fence will be erected, also with live wire and camera surveillance.

read more here

18 December: Occupation of roof construction company De Vries & Verburg in protest against construction of family prison

English translation of: 18 december: Bezetting dak bouwbedrijf De Vries & Verburg in protest tegen bouw gezinsgevangenis

OFFICE ROOF DE VRIES & VERBURG OCCUPIED from ANTi-ORDE on Vimeo.

This morning Activists of the Anarchist Anti-deportation Group Utrecht held the roof of construction company De Vries & Verburg in Stolwijk (The Vaartland 8-10) occupied for a short time. A large banner ("De Vries en Verburg, Blood Money, Kampzeist.nl") was suspended on the wall, which was easily visible from the nearby N207. The action is a protest against the construction by the company of a family prison for refugees at Kamp Zeist in Soesterberg and takes place in the framework of the International Day of Action for the Rights of Migrants and Refugees. Seven persons were arrested.
read more here

Digital day of action against family Prison Kamp Zeist forces De Vries en Verburg to face it

English translation of: Digitale actiedag tegen gezinsgevangenis Kamp Zeist legt De Vries en Verburg vuur aan de schenen

Yesterday, Thursday, December 10th, construction company De Vries en Verburg was bombarded with protest against the construction of the new family prison for refugees at Kamp Zeist in Soesterberg, via email, Facebook, Twitter and phone.
read more here

"I am scared" - Report & video from the wall next to the family prison at Kamp Zeist, November 26, 2015

06:00: Together with a fellow activist I climb on the five meter high wall of the detention center, next to the temporary family prison. We are carrying a live-stream camera, binocular, megaphone and a banner "Refugees free - Vluchtelingen vrij - Liberte pour les sans papiers!". We hoist the ladder up on the wall with us.

READ MORE HERE

December 10th: online action against builder of refugee families prison (gezinsgevangenis) De Vries en Verburg

English translation of: 10 december: online actie tegen bouwer van vluchtelingengezinsgevangenis De Vries en Verburg

Share and invite: facebook event

On social media use hashtags and #gezinsgevangenis #kampzeist and break the silence!

On December 10 it is Human Rights Day. But on the borders of Fortress Europe refugees are forced to fight for those rights. We call to support this fight. And this time you don't even have to go out on the street!

Within the walls of border prison Kamp Zeist, one of the borders of Fortress Europe, currently a permanent family prison for refugees is being built. Responsible for this construction is company De Vries en Verburg, part of De Burgland Groep, located in Stolwijk.

Sign says: "Help there - Lock up here"

Continue to read HERE how you can contribute to this digital day of action

Video: blockade of construction of family prison Kamp Zeist

Also on this page

November 26 2015: Blockade Kamp Zeist puts a hold on construction family prison for refugees for a day

November 26 2015: AAGU-activists block construction traffic family prison Kamp Zeist
- also activists on the wall to contact locked up refugees

BLOKKADE KAMP ZEIST LEGT BOUW GEZINSBAJES 24 UUR STIL from ANTi.ORD3 on Vimeo.

One year family prison: 128 children locked up, 72 deported.

Last week the government published answers of State Secretary Klaas Dijkhoff (VV) to questions asked by Sharon Gesthuizen (SP) and Linda Voortman (GroenLlinks) about the Closed Family Facility (GGV) on Kamp Zeist. The questions were in part asked in response to the campaign of the Anarchist Anti-deportation Group Utrecht (AAGU) against this family prison for refugees.

read further here

Blacklist Kamp Zeist expanded again

English translation of: Blacklist Kamp Zeist weer uitgebreid Inside the high walls around the part of Kamp Zeist near Soesterberg that is the detention center the work continues unabated, in which quite a few companies are involved. Now a building is visible that is visibly towering behind the wall. Most likely this is the facility building for the new family prison, that is being built by construction company De Vries en Verburg from Stolwijk.

Based on recent observations we complemented the blacklist with:

read further here

November 21 2015: Speech about life in a family location

During the demonstration "Nijmegen gastvrij! Solidariteit zonder grenzen" on November 21 Mary held a speech about life in one of the seven family locations in the Netherlands. In these family locations families with children are lifted from their beds every day and taken to the family prison at Kamp Zeist, "for the purposes of expulsion" as they call it.
We publish the speech of Mary here, so that everyone can read what the result is of this policy for children. The speech also contains a call out that we should all take to heart:

I am Mary and I come from a family location.

Your normal day starts with getting up, getting dressed in a normal way, having breakfast and go to school or to work.
But do you have any idea how it goes in a family location? Do you know that the morning there starts with the alarm clock set at 5 AM? That people cannot sleep because they are afraid that the next day it is going to be their turn to be arrested?
They are sleeping with their clothes on in case they are the next victim of the raid.

read further here

Criticism on family prison expressed wider

English translation of Kritiek op de gezinsgevangenis klinkt breder

The campaign of the Anarchist Anti-deportation Group Utrecht against the construction of a new permanent family prison for refugees at Kamp Zeist does not take place in a vacuum. Various NGOs, other organizations, groups and politicians have expressed criticism on the so-called Closed Family Facility (GGV).

The detention of refugee children in 'regular' refugee prisons (detention and deportation centers) was the spearhead of the longer-term campaign No Child in a Cell" of a coalition of several NGOs, including Amnesty International, UNICEF , Kerk in Actie (Church in Action) and Vluchtelingenwerk (Refugee work), and the Protestant Church.

Read further here, with extensive quotations of other organizations

AAGU receives Ferdinand Domela Nieuwenhuis medal 2015

English translation of: AAGU ontvangt Ferdinand Domela Nieuwenhuispenning 2015

November 17 2015- Last Sunday the Anarchisti Anti-deportation group Utrecht (AAGU) was honoured by the award of the Ferdinand Domela Nieuwenhuis (FDN) medal and a sum of money in the museum of the same name in Heerenveen. This was a pleasant surprise.



read more here

Support the 'Zeister 7' in the Court of Appeal

Open house at building sites De Vries en Verburg

26-10-2015: Indymedia

English translation of: Open huis bij bouwplaatsen De Vries en Verburg

Dear reader,

You may have heard that our company, De Vries en Verburg, is going to build the Closed Family Facility at the location you know as 'Kamp Zeist'. You call this construction 'family prison', a term with which we disagree. We would therefore prefer to be able to show how child-friendly we realize the Closed Family Facility within the fences and walls of the Kamp Zeist. However, it is not possible to visit this project, as the government sets high demands on security. But we can still invite you to visit our other sites.

De Vries and Verburg is currently working on numerous other projects, sustainable and socially responsible. Our construction sites are even equipped with solar panels, creating power by using sustainable energy!

To assess our work and the degree to which it meets the requirements of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), you are most welcome. No appointment is necessary.

Enclosed you will find a list of ongoing construction projects. Come along for a coffee and a chat. Consequently we are always present during the day on weekdays. Our project managers will be happy to help!

On behalf of De Vries and Verburg, plan developer Bas Stuij

Continue to read here

More detention profiteers Kamp Zeist identified

English translation of: Meer detentieprofiteurs Kamp Zeist geidentificeerd

Inside the high walls of detention center Kamp Zeist construction work is still in full swing. Previously we published a list of companies involved. Partly by the invisibility of the work activities it is not clear whether De Vries en Verburg has already started working on the construction of the new family prison. On October 6 AAGU protested before and during the Town Council meeting of the municipality of Zeist against granting permission for the construction.
For now it seems that most of the work is being done on the construction of a new entry building, that was put out to tender earlier, and/or a new power building, for which the municipality of Zeist granted the permit before.

Read more here

October 13 2015: AAGU writes to other clients of De Vries en Verburg

English translation of: 13 oktober 2015: AAGU schrijft andere opdrachtgevers De Vries en Verburg aan

This morning, the Anarchist Anti-deportation Group Utrecht (AAGU) has written to five clients of De Vries en Verburg asking them to approach this company about them building the new prison for refugee families at Kamp Zeist. It involves institutions and organizations in the fields of education and care that have construction or renovation projects going.
Below is the letter sent to the clients in question, names of clients and projects have been completed by letter.

De Vries en Verburg announcing the building of the IJsselcollege on their facebook: "Are you also curious about the new IJsselcollege?". The comment reads: "We are! Oh wait, suppose it's not for refugee children. They can go into the prison that you are building at Kamp Zeist!"

October 6 2015: Activists against new family prison Kamp Zeist disrupt municipal council meeting Zeist

English translation of: 6 oktober 2015: Activisten tegen nieuwe gezinsgevangenis Kamp Zeist verstoren raadsvergadering Zeist

This action was part of the action day, report here

Press release - Anarchist Anti-deportation Group Utrecht

Zeist, October 6 2015 - Around 9.30 PM, about ten activists have disrupted the council meeting of the municipality of Zeist, in protest against the granting of a building permit for a new family prison for refugees. The meeting was suspended by the mayor.

Read more here

Report, pics and videos of action day October 6
Verslag, foto's en video's van actiedag 6 oktober 2015

Action in Town Council meeting, look here / Actie in raadsvergadering, zie hier.

Op 6 oktober werd achtereenvolgens 's middags gedemonstreerd bij Kamp Zeist (aan de hoofdpoort en achter bij de muur), en 's avonds bij het gemeentehuis van Zeist, waar brieven op de agenda stonden van mensen die geprotesteerd hadden tegen het afgeven van de bouwvergunning voor de gezinsgevangenis. Hieronder vind je wat foto's en video's van deze dag. Er staat ook een fotoverslag op Indymedia.

On October 6 there were demonstrations at Kamp Zeist in the afternoon at the main gate and at the wall. In the evening at the Town Hall of Zeist, where letters were on the agenda of people who had protested against giving the permit to build the family prison. Below you will find photo's and video's of this day. There is also a photo report on Indymedia.

PROTEST TEGEN KAMP ZEIST GEZINSGEVANGENIS VOOR VLUCHTELINGEN from ANT1:ORD3 on Vimeo.

Call for signing the statement against the construction of the 'Closed Family Facility' at Kamp Zeist

For some time we have been campaigning against the construction of a 'Closed Family Facility' (GGV) at Kamp Zeist.

The purpose of the GGV is the incarceration and deportation of refugee families who had their asylum request rejected. The currently temporary and early 2016 planned permanent family prison is located behind a fence and the wall of Kamp Zeist (or: detention center Soesterberg), equipped with live wire and camera surveillance. The GGV is therefore a prison and not shelter.
The GGV is not 'humane' or 'child-friendly.

Read more here

More companies profit from locking up refugees at Kamp Zeist

As we reported earlier the new family prison for refugees at Kamp Zeist will be built by construction company De Vries en Verburg from Stolwijk. According to the planning of the Ministry of Security and Justice it must be up and running at the beginning of the next year. read more here

October 6: day of action against family prison for refugees at Kamp Zeist

Join the facebook event / Download flyer!

Recently, the Municipality of Zeist has granted the building permit for the construction of the family prison for refugees at Kamp Zeist. Construction company De Vries en Verburg has gotten the job this summer.
On Tuesday October 6 we are going to demonstrate at Kamp Zeist in the afternoon, first against the companies that are working there and then to support the prisoners behind the wall. After that we go to City Hall in the evening to demonstrate because the Town Council has the family prison on the agenda during their meeting.

Read more here

Thursday september 24: Info night / presentation at Spinhuis Amsterdam

Join the facebook event

Next Thursday September 24 in Het Spinhuis in Amsterdam: infonight/presentation about the campaign against the construction of the family prison for refugees at Kamp Zeist. What is the current situation? How is the campaign doing? How will we continue? And what can you do to help the campaign?

Read more here

Thursday september 17: Video noisedemo at De Vries en Verburg

Report is here

LAWAAIDEMO TEGEN BAJESBOUWER DE VRIES EN VERBURG from ANT1:ORD3 on Vimeo.

Thursday september 17: Loud and clear noise protest at De Vries en Verburg

This afternoon, AAGU stood with 30 people in front of construction company De Vries en Verburg in Stolwijk. For an hour we protested with a lot of noise against the fact that this company is going to build the new family prison for refugees at Kamp Zeist.

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September 15: Municipality grants building permit family Prison Kamp Zeist - companies to work

English translation of: 15 september: Gemeente verleent bouwvergunning gezinsgevangenis Kamp Zeist - bedrijven aan het werk

Last week the municipality of Zeist published it has authorized the construction of the family prison by the construction company De Vries and Verburg. Meanwhile, there are already activities going on within the walls of Kamp Zeist.

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13 september 2015 - 'BREAK DOWN KAMP ZEIST' demonstrates with 'Refugees Welcome'

'SLOOP KAMP ZEIST' loopt mee tijdens 'Vluchtelingen Welkom'

Refugees Welcome! Vluchtelingen Welkom! Break down the detention centers! Detentiecentra slopen!
No borders, no nations, stop deportations! Geen grenzen, geen naties, stop deportaties!

also here/ook hier

September 13 2015 - Another critical letter to the organizer of event 'Sustainable Business'.

English translation of: Nogmaals kritische brief naar organisatrice bijeenkomst 'Duurzaam Ondernemen'.

By: Dhjana Samshuizen

At a meeting for Small and Medium Business about "Social Responsible Undertaking" Tuesday September 15 in Schoonhoven, Bas Stuij of construction company De Vries en Verburg will be one of the speakers. Construction Company De Vries en Verburg pretends to play an exemplary role in the area of sustainable undertaking, but in the meantime it doesn't hesitate to shortly build the new family prison at Kamp Zeist - the so called 'closed family provision' that serves the purpose of locking up and deporting refugee families.

"Dear Madam Sterrenburg,

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September 9 2015 - Speech of responsible planner familyprison does not go unnoticed:

A letter to the organizer of event 'Sustainable Business'.

English translation of: Spreekbeurt van verantwoordelijke planmaker gezinsgevangenis blijft niet onopgemerkt

We received a mail in our inbox from Chris de Laat written to the organizer of the event 'Sustainable Business'. Bas Stuij of De Vries en Verburg, one of the most responsible people for the construction of the familyprison, is one of the speakers there. Crhis writes the following:

"Dear Madam Sterrenburg,

It came to my attention that next Tuesday you organize an information and networking event 'Sustainable Business'. That seems to me, though I myself am not an entrepreneur, an interesting event, "Social Responsible Undertaking" is an important issue.

To my amazement however, I see that Mr. Bas Stuij of the construction company De Vries and Verburg is scheduled as one of the speakers. Are you aware that this company is going to build a new prison for refugee families (a "Closed Family Provision") in Soesterberg? Read more here

Thursday september 17: Noisedemo at builder of family prison De Vries en Verburg

Just in case: For this action a lawyer is standby and there is a legal team:
Lawyer is Michiel Kuyp of Jebbink & Soeteman lawyers Amsterdam. Phone nr. of legal team is 06 2650 8773



Last summer construction company De Vries en Verburg has won the contract to build the "Closed Family Provision" (GGV) at Kamp Zeist. The GGV is a prison for refugee families, serving only one purpose: deportation.

Get together: 1.15 PM trainstation Gouda
Start of noisedemo: 2 PM in Stolwijk

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Video: The world belongs to everyone

Video about the campaign against the family prison with a.o. images of the wall occupation of November 22nd 2014.

De Vries en Verburg construction firm: building a family prison responsibly?

English translation of: De Vries en Verburg: verantwoord een gezinsgevangenis bouwen?

As Aagu published earlier the construction firm De Vries en Verburg from Stolwijk is about to build the new definite family prison within the walls of kamp Zeist. If we take a closer look at the backgrounds of the organization the question rises how they can adhere the building of a prison with the image it is trying to portray. From a predominantly Christian identity the company is involved in several (international) societal and social project. “We want to help the people who need it”, so says employee Timo Stuij, who himself in fact is involved in the construction project of the family prison.

Societal responsibly undertaking?

It will be difficult to find a construction firm that portrays itself as being willingly cooperating with repression and exploitation. Almost every substantially sized company fences with initiatives on the plane of 'maatschappelijk verantwoord onderenemen' (MVO), undertaking business environmentally responsible. Often it barely rises above the level of cheap sales-pitches, focused only on image building.. So is Finmeccanica, a giant weapons manufacturer from Italy proudly emphasizing on the separated waste disposal in it's head office. -> Read more here

Construction company De Vries en Verburg will build the new family-prison at Kamp Zeist

English translation of: Bouwbedrijf De Vries en Verburg gaat nieuwe gezinsgevangenis Kamp Zeist bouwen

Last week the city council of Zeist published the application for an environment permit by the Stolwijk based construction company De Vries en Verburg, showing us that this company is in fact going to build the new prison for entire refugee families on the compound of Kamp Zeist. The entire building operation will cost well over 4,3 million Euro.

Family-prison

According to the paperwork accompanying the application (see photo's) the surface area of the new prison will be 3790 m² (37350,77 ft²). It will consist of a so-called Multi-functional building (MfB) and a living unit.
“The MfB will be build adjacent to the existing detention building (building 52)”. It consists of two stories, with plans to build a third story on top on a later point in time. One of the wings of the MfB will be used to house 10 people, probably 'Alleenstaande Minderjarige Vreemdelingen (AMV's)', single juvenile aliens. Besides them the MfB will also house a "prayer center, a silence center, a gymnasium, (medical) treatment rooms and offices.”



The living unit will contrive of 6 buildings , every building will consist two 'houses', as the prisons are called euphemistically in the application. The houses will be approximately 110 m² (1184,03 ft²) and are suited for 6 persons according to the application. They will be placed around a “central space (field).”

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Electric fences and motion detection around 'child friendly' immigration prison Kamp Zeist

English translation of: Schrikdraad en bewegingsdetectie rond 'kindvriendelijke' vluchtelingengevangenis Kamp Zeist

The department of justice is planning to replace the fence around detention center Kamp Zeist in Soesterberg, according to reports in the municipalities of Zeist and Soest early May. The current fence, standard mesh fencing with barbed wire, and behind it a three stacked rolls NATO-wire (so-called Razor wire), will be replaced by a prison fence with electric wires and motion sensors.

The part of Kamp Zeist which is now in use as a refugee shelter (the barracks, which had previously also been used as a detention center) will be stripped of fence, according to an earlier report. This is consistent with longstanding plans to limit to the part of the site that is the detention center within the high walls and a small piece in front of it, towards the main gate (map).
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Sunday, January 25, 15 hrs: demonstrative picket-line in front of De Nieuwe Liefde, Amsterdam, Da Costakade 10

For freedom of movement and the right to exist: Stop DT&V! Stop deportations!

Sunday afternoon, January 25, a meeting will take place at the Rosa Parks Cafe in De Nieuwe Liefde, called "The emergency exit of The Netherlands: towards an different return policy in 5 steps". The question: "How effective is the return policy, if there are still so many refugees that end up in illegality? How can this be improved?" The process: "In this Rosa Parks Cafe a creative brainstorming session with the DT&V. Five experts pitch their idea for improving the return policy. The DT&V forms the jury and will respond to unsolicited advice. "

With this meeting, which could just as well have been called "Deport along with the DT&V", it is assumed that the "return policy" should be improved. But the only good idea is removal of the DT&V. Stop putting refugees on the street and in prison. Stop deportations. For a society that does not exclude people because they were born somewhere else. Stop turning people of different groups against eachother. Stop the criminal migration policy of the Fortress Europe claiming thousands of victims every year. Read more here

AAGU: "Actions against builder of new family prison Kamp Zeist"

English translation of: AAGU: "Acties tegen bouwer nieuwe gezinsgevangenis Kamp Zeist"

Utrecht, Februari 19 2015 - Until coming Monday companies can still sign up for the competition of the tender for the construction of the new closed family facility for refugees at Kamp Zeist in Soesterberg. The Anarchist Anti-deportation Groep Utrecht is announcing a 'naming and shaming' campaign towards the company that will realize this project.

A spokesperson of the AAGU states: "The incarceration and deportation of refugees must be stopped. We shall not be silent spectators to a new prison, who will be purposely built and used for the deportation of refugee families. Companies who consider to make a profit on the cooperation with the scandalous practices of the Dutch government can count on actions."

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AAGU IN 2014

Basta info night December 4, 2014: About the fight for freedom of movement

Only 12 days ago we sat on the wall of border prison Kamp Zeist, witnessing families with children locked up in there. Showing it to the world. But this action did not come out of thin air.

For many years now, the Anarchist Anti Deportation Group Utrecht, in short: AAGU, has focused on taking action against this specific border prison. Demonstrations. Civil inspections, trespassing, cutting fences, occupying buildings, getting onto the wall. Leaflets and papers were spread door to door in the area. On our website you can find a list of companies involved in the detention and deportation industry. Another group has blocked the entrance of Kamp Zeist twice. According to several publications over the years, companies and their CEO's are bothered by the focus on their business. Some have even stopped their involvement. But.. Kamp Zeist, as well as two other border prisons at Schiphol and Rotterdam airport, are still there. We invite you to join us in our effort to have them shut down.

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AAGU: Report from wall Kamp Zeist: "At six o'clock, when we were still sleeping, the police came to get us."

English translation of: Verslag vanaf muur Kamp Zeist: "Toen het zes uur was, we lagen te slapen, toen kwam de politie ons halen."

Saturday morning, November 22, 2014: We have climbed on the wall of Kamp Zeist, also known as detention center Soesterberg. Purpose: contact with detained refugees. Reason: the commissioning of what Fred Teeven calls the "Closed Family Facility".
Inside of the wall on which we sit, we see the family prison immediately: it's right next to us on the inside of the wall, recognizable by the images of the ministry itself, in which this families prison is commanded as 'child friendly' and 'humane'.

Screenshot van de livestream

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22 november 2014: AAGU occupies wall around detention center Kamp Zeist

English translation of: AAGU bezet muur rond detentiecentrum Kamp Zeist

For the livestream footage, click here for part 1 and here for part 2

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This morning at 7:00 am, a few dozen activists of the Anti-deportation Anarchist Group Utrecht (AAGU) stormed the grounds of Camp Zeist (Richelleweg 13, Amersfoort) to carry out an occupation of the detention center wall. On the wall, they tried to get in touch with detained refugees. At the same time, some activists climbed the trees at the back of Kamp Zeist to do a banner drop.

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9 september 2014 - Family prison for refugees at Camp Zeist: no humane alternative

English translation of: Gezinsgevangenis voor vluchtelingen op Kamp Zeist is geen humaan alternatief

End of May 2014, the state secretary of security & justice Teeven, responsible for migration policy, announced in a letter to the Lower House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) that he intends to open a special detention location for families and unaccompanied minors (amv’s). This new prison should be ready in early 2015 and is planned on the site of Kamp Zeist, Soesterberg. Kamp Zeist at the is housing both a regular detention center as well as a temporary refugee center. With his plan Teeven claims to meet the long-running criticism on the detention of children in the border hospice and in detention and deportation centers. A coalition of NGOs, coordinated by Defence for Childeren, has been participating for a number of years in the campaign "No Child In a Cell", which can also count on support from a number of political parties.

Purpose: the 'assurance of return'

'Humane' prison?

Teeven applies, in his letter to the Parliament an outline of the measures planned to accommodate the new prison for children and families. He mentions "[t]he offer of utmost freedom of movement within the site and the provision of adequate facilities for families and children." The detained refugees are housed in pavilions with "independent units for families and a separate pavilion for the unaccompanied minors." They can prepare their meals themselves, and families can lock their pavilions from the inside. Also on site is a "service center including a recreation room, outdoor playground, a provision shop and internet facilities." For some, this will evoke images of a holiday park, but to let the cat out of the bag: the operation in fact is a prison, euphemistically referred to as "closed site". To dampen this feel, the guards will however not wear uniforms and the fence will "be largely obscured from the sight of the residents by the greenery." The new prison will function under the responsibility of the Judicial Service (DJI). The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) and the Repatriation and Departure Service (DT&V) will be present on site as part of the ongoing asylum procedures and the "assurance of return". After all, "The stay will stay focused on working to return, or further investigating those who have submitted an asylum request", as DJI states in a press release. Earlier this year Teeven let the remark slip in a Lower House (Tweede Kamer) debate: "Sure i understand that you can't have children in prison cells. This would be extremely inhuman." His rare moment of self-insight and humanity seems to have a very limited scope. Teeven remains to plan locking up children, but because the location has no bars and heavy cell doors with the characteristic hatch, this new detention location for families and unaccompanied minors would be a humane alternative from his point of view.

-> Read more HERE