Netherlands
The Kingdom of the Netherlands was formed in 1815. In 1830 Belgium seceded and formed a separate kingdom. The Netherlands remained neutral in World War I but suffered a brutal invasion and occupation by Germany in World War II. A modern, industrialized nation, the Netherlands is also a large exporter of agricultural products. The country was a founding member of NATO and the EC, and participated in the introduction of the euro in 1999.
Almost 20% of the total area of the Netherlands is water. The country's name reflects the efforts to reclaim land, which date back to medieval times and have spawned an extensive system of dykes. It is one of the world's most densely populated nations. As in many European countries, over-65s make up an increasing percentage of that population, leading to greater demands on the welfare system.
After two decades of strong growth and low unemployment, the economy ran into more troubled waters as global trade, in which the Netherlands is a major player, slowed in the early years of the new millennium.
The head of state is Queen Beatrix. Premier Jan Peter Balkenende took oath in late May 2003 for a second term. After lengthy talks, Balkenende's party had reached agreement with the free-market People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and the small centrist party Democrats-66. Together, the three parties have a slim majority in the 150-seat parliament. Balkenende's previous coalition government collapsed in October 2002 after only three months in office, brought down by in-fighting in the party of assassinated anti-immigration politician Pim Fortuyn.
This period of political turmoil coincided with mounting economic difficulties. Unemployment reached its highest for nearly 20 years and the country saw growth grind to a standstill while the budget deficit mounted. Balkenende's government introduced a package of austerity measures to tackle these problems. Its spending cuts and welfare reforms have sparked street protests and demonstrations.
The Netherlands shares with the rest of the Europe a threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate and against civilian targets. Dutch authorities have raised their level of security, particularly at airports and railway stations.
There was concern that Dutch society's longstanding tradition of tolerance was under threat when homosexual anti-immigration politician Pim Fortuyn was assassinated in 2002. Anxiety over increased racial tension has intensified further since the murder in 2004 of Theo Van Gogh who had made a controversial film on the position of women in Islamic society. The murder also raised terrorism concerns: a member of a terrorist organization, known as the Hofstad Group, later confessed. He and eight other members of the group are currently serving prison sentences. Since this killing, the government has hardened its line on immigration and failed asylum seekers.
The Dutch government introduced compulsory identification on January 1, 2005. Everybody from the age of 14 is required to be able to show a valid identity document to police officers and other law enforcement authorities on their request. Carry copies and keep the originals safe.
New stop-and-search powers are in force to curb unruly behavior by World Cup fans. To curb brawling, bars are being discouraged from showing live games. At present, there are only two venues where soccer will be shown on large screens and both are commercial, fee paying events.
There is also an organized crime syndicate, which the police are making efforts to crack down on. Elements of the Surinamese, Moroccan, and Turkish minorities have all been cited for involved in the import and export of drugs, prostitution, and illegal car trade and sales and other criminal activities.
While the Netherlands has a reputation for being tolerant on the use of drugs, they are still prohibited and official tolerance exists only for designated premises in the major cities. Possession or purchase of prohibited substances outside these designated areas can now carry a prison sentence. Since January 2006, the purchase or smoking of “soft drugs” in public places is an arrestable offence in Amsterdam. There are specifically designated cafés where the use of cannabis is tolerated.
In November 2005 a soccer fan was fatally stabbed in a busy part of central Amsterdam after being approached by a known drug dealer and asked to buy drugs. Avoid anyone offering you drugs of any sort and stay away from quiet or dark alleys.
Demonstrations are commonplace in the country, and may range from a few attendees to several thousand. Prior police approval is required for public demonstrations, and police oversight is routinely provided. Nonetheless, avoid areas in which public demonstrations are taking place.
