Prime Minister Mark Rutte has indeed personally intervened in blocking an independent investigation into Dutch support for Syrian rebels between 2015 and 2018.
The prime minister acknowledged during Question Time on Tuesday that he had made efforts to influence the vote on a motion in Parliament that calls for an investigation.
“I got involved in the matter because I think it is important to get involved,” said the prime minister, who said Friday in answer to questions from News hour still pretended he knew nothing.
News hour revealed that the Prime Minister had personally interfered with the investigation into Dutch support for Syrian rebels. According to the current affairs program, three sources from the coalition say that Rutte is personally trying to stop the investigation.
According to the Prime Minister, an investigation could embarrass allies and endanger those involved who have supported the Netherlands in Syria. Moreover, all relevant information would already have been shared with the House confidentially, Rutte states.
‘Unheard of that prime minister is so involved in a parliamentary process’
According to CDA Member of Parliament Martijn van Helvert, it is not appropriate for the prime minister to interfere with votes on parliamentary motions. SP’er Sadet Karabulut also thinks Rutte is out of line. “It is unheard of for the prime minister to become so involved in a parliamentary process,” said Karabulut.
She calls the argument that allies and Syrian stakeholders could be endangered rubbish. “The Chamber is not asking for names or for the publication of confidential information.”
‘Rutte tries to cover up information’
According to Van Helvert, the prime minister “twists” the situation. In a tweet, the MP states that Rutte is pretending to be against an investigation because he wants to protect the rebels involved, while the independent investigation also focuses on the role of the prime minister in setting up the controversial program.
“The prime minister is afraid. We know that terrible human rights violations have been committed on our behalf,” said Karabulut. “The prime minister is trying to cover up information, just like with the benefits affair.”
News hour in Faithful revealed two years ago that the Netherlands supported a total of 22 armed moderate groups in Syria between May 2015 and the spring of 2018. These secret organizations violated human rights and collaborated with terrorists. They received no weapons from the Netherlands, but non-lethal support (Non-Lethal Assistance, NLA), such as cars, communication equipment and uniforms.
The cabinet ended aid in 2018, as opposition in the Syrian civil war turned out to be all but defeated.
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