Dutch MPs back Wilders against Turkish boycott

Dutch MPs say they will cancel a trip to Turkey if the country insists on a boycott of Dutch far-right politician Geert Wilders. A spokesman for Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu described the anti-Islam MP as a fascist and a racist who was not welcome in Turkey.

He said there were no organisations in Turkey willing to meet Mr Wilders, and his presence in the delegation would harm relations between the two countries.

Leader of the Dutch delegation, Labour Party MP Harm Evert Waalkens, says that if Turkey boycotts Mr Wilders, the Dutch MPs will call off the visit altogether. He says he will be taking the matter up with Turkish counterparts on Wednesday.

RNW's Silvia Brens asked residents of Istanbul for their reactions to a visit from Geert Wilders.

Click here to watch the video report.

Dutch MPs also backed Mr Wilders when he was refused entry to the United Kingdom in February. Even his most vehement opponents on the left consistently support his right to travel and free speech – although though they criticise him for holding double standards on free speech himself. Mr Wilders has compared the Qur’an to Hitler’s Mein Kampf and called for it to be banned.

Disgrace
In response to the Turkish boycott, Mr Wilders said, "The Turks are showing their true face with these stupid words and prove they must never be allowed to join the EU. I’m neither a fascist nor a racist.” He added it would be a "disgrace of the first order” if he were not included in the delegation, and "capitulating to an autocratic regime (...)