Unequal Citizenship in the Netherlands

The Carribean Dutch as Liminal Citizens

Authors

  • Guno Jones University of Amsterdam

Abstract

This article discusses attempts to turn “Caribbean Dutch” citizens into aliens by analyzing (the debates on) a bill initiated by Member of Parliament André Bosman in 2012. The bill in effect proposes the introduction of a distinction between first- and second-class citizens based on descent. If enacted, it would amount to formal inequality with regard to the right of settlement, social rights, and street inspections. Furthermore, a class of deportable “Antillean Dutch” citizens would be created. In the debates on the bill, different readings regarding the meaning of the Dutch Kingdom, Dutch citizenship and its entitlements, emancipation, and the Dutch nation can be inferred. Regardless of whether the bill becomes enacted or not, it conveys the message to all “othered” citizens that they are at risk of becoming a class of liminal citizens in Dutch society.

Author Biography

  • Guno Jones, University of Amsterdam

    Dr. Guno Jones is currently a lecturer of Research Methods and Ethics at S.I.T Amsterdam. He is affiliated with the Social Sciences faculty of the University of Amsterdam, where he has researched and published on decolonization, postcolonial migration, citizenship, identity formation, and the politics of memory and heritage.

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Published

2026-05-04

Issue

Vol. 27 No. 2 (2014): Racism in the Netherlands

Section

Main Section

License

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

Jones, G. (2026). Unequal Citizenship in the Netherlands: The Carribean Dutch as Liminal Citizens. FRAME, Journal of Literary Studies, 27(2), 65-84. https://platform.openjournals.nl/FRAME/article/view/27399