CDA Candidate Defends Party Leader Amidst Discrimination Claims Ahead of Dutch Elections
The Hague – Karsten Klein, a candidate Member of parliament for the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), has moved to clarify remarks attributed to party leader Henri Bontenbal regarding discrimination based on religious grounds, just days before the Netherlands‘ House of Representatives elections. Klein stated emphatically, “henri Bontenbal did not say or meen that,” responding to suggestions Bontenbal implied discrimination was permissible if religiously motivated.
The controversy stems from a News Hour interview last Monday featuring a gay student attending a Christian school who felt unable to come out. The segment highlighted a perceived conflict between religious freedom adn LGBTQ+ rights, with critics interpreting Bontenbal’s comments as tacit acceptance of a “don’t practice it” approach to homosexuality within faith-based schools.This has become a key issue as Dutch voters prepare to head to the polls next week.
Klein, appearing on the radio program West Wakes Up Wednesday morning, acknowledged the tension between competing fundamental rights. ”These are conflicting fundamental rights,” he said,adding that the CDA has historically fought for both freedom of education and special education. “If a school takes a religious position on homosexuality, I beleive that schools should be given that space. Even if it is painful.”
He stressed that the CDA remains committed to gay emancipation and gay rights, distancing the party from the situation presented in the News Hour segment.”It does not alter the fact that CDA stands for gay emancipation and gay rights. When things happen like the example of that boy in News Hour CDA distances itself from this. but it can be conflicting. I think that is what henri Bontenbal also brought up during the Nieuwsuur interview.”
klein further explained the CDA’s position centers on upholding freedom of education, with minimal government interference and parental control over educational choices. He affirmed that discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation is legally prohibited, stating, ”Discrimination or disadvantaging people based on gender or sexual orientation is simply prohibited. Henri Bontenbal also indicated this and that is his personal view.”
