Social Advisory Council | IND

The Social Advisory Council (in Dutch: Maatschappelijke adviesraad or MAR) advises the IND about the immigration policy. This advise helps us to remain critical of our work. And it allows us to improve ourselves where necessary and possible.

	Corinne Dettmeijer (head) ‘In my days as a judge, I often had to deal with cases involving foreign nationals. These cases interested me a lot. As National Rapporteur on Trafficking in Human Beings and Sexual Violence against Children, I also encountered the IND. At the time, I thought the IND was rather rigid. That can be improved. For me, it’s a nice challenge to contribute to the IND through the MAR.’
	Annemarie Heeringa ‘I work as a team leader at the Salvation Army. At our department, we provide socio-legal assistance to undocumented victims of human trafficking. An important part of my work is explaining my clients how aliens law works and why the IND has taken certain decisions. When I do this, I sometimes notice that clients experience a large distance from the IND where the reasons and final decision are concerned. Through my participation in the MAR, I encounter the IND in a different way and can look at and experience the organisation differently.’
	Freek Landmeter ‘For my work for Médecins Sans Frontières I’ve been in Rwanda, among other places. I know that the IND has complex cases. Sometimes, their nuance is lost in the media. But I want to know: what is really going on. I think it’s important that the IND has public support. Besides, every week I’m at the side of the football pitch with an employee of the IND and one of the COA. We then have interesting conversations and must watch out that we don’t miss a goal.’