Netherlands: Wilders to be prosecuted for anti-Moroccan remarks

Wire services have reported that the Dutch Public Prosecutor’s Office has decided to prosecute Geert Wilders, an anti-Muslim MP, for inciting hatred through remarks he made about Moroccan immigrants. The head of the ultra-right Party for Freedom (PVV), which is seated in Parliament and leads in local public opinion polls, will be charged for racially insulting a group and inciting discrimination and hatred, according to a statement from the prosecutor.

Wilders has been a target of criticism since March, when he said at a meeting with voters that he would plead for a reduction in the number of immigrants from Morocco. "Less, less, less," chanted his followers in The Hague after he asked them whether they wanted more or less Moroccans in the city.  

"I’ll take care of it," the PVV boss promised the crowd; in the past he has primarily made provocative remarks against Islam and Muslims. He immediately became the target of an unprecedented wave of criticism and lawsuits.

Several eminent members of the PVV even left the party after Wilders made his remarks. After the kerfuffle sparked by his attack on people of Moroccan origin – around 370 000 of whom live in the Netherlands – the PVV has very likely lost some voters.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and many other politicians subsequently condemned Wilders’ remarks. "Wilders has really crossed the line and should be ashamed," proclaimed the management of the private television station RTL in an open letter.

Wilders has rejected all criticism. "I didn’t say anything bad, I regret nothing, and I will not apologize to anyone for anything," the controversial politician said at the time.