Turkish diplomat heavily involved in the 'independent' Islamic Foundation Netherlands.

The influence of foreign powers on organisations in the Netherlands has long been a cause for concern. This is particularly the case when institutions present themselves as independent, while at the same time appearing to maintain close ties with foreign governments. Recent reporting has once again raised questions about such influence, this time concerning the Islamic Foundation Netherlands (ISN).

According to an article by GeenStijl, a Turkish diplomat, religious attaché Ömer Özgül of the Turkish embassy, is said to play a prominent role within ISN. This is remarkable because the foundation previously told the House of Representatives that it operates independently and that Turkish diplomatic influence would be kept out of the organisation.

At the same time, it appears that the Dutch government, through the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, has cooperated with ISN and provided subsidies for activities and research. This raises questions about the independence of those projects, but also about the diligence with which the government entered into this cooperation.

For Forum for Democracy, one principle is central: organisations that are under the influence of foreign states should play no role in policy-making, research, or subsidy schemes of the Dutch government.

For that reason, Member of Parliament Russcher has submitted written questions to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. He seeks clarity about the role of the Turkish diplomat within ISN, the earlier commitments to reduce Turkish influence, and the subsidies which the Dutch government has granted to this foundation. He also asks whether an investigation should be launched into the role of the Turkish Diyanet (the Presidency of Religious Affairs) and whether the diplomatic status of the attaché should be reconsidered.

Questions from the member Russcher (FVD) to the Minister of Foreign Affairs concerning the central role of a Turkish diplomat within the supposedly independent Islamic Foundation Netherlands, and the subsidies the ministry has granted to this foundation.

1. Are you familiar with the reporting by GeenStijl showing that the Turkish diplomat Ömer Özgül plays a central role within the Islamic Foundation Netherlands (ISN), while ISN claims to be an autonomous and independent organisation?
2. Can you confirm that Mr Özgül, as the official religious attaché of the Turkish embassy, is regularly present at ISN’s premises and also travels abroad with ISN delegations, including to Ankara?
3. How does the presence of a Turkish diplomat as a de facto leader within ISN relate to the promise ISN made to the House of Representatives in 2020 to exclude Turkish diplomatic influence from the organisation?
4. Why has the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, through the Knowledge Platform Inclusive Society (Kennisplatform Inclusief Samenleven), cooperated with and granted subsidies to a foundation that appears to be so closely connected to the Turkish state?
5. Does the minister agree that funding research through a foundation that is under the influence of a foreign power seriously undermines the objectivity and reliability of that research?
6. What due diligence did the ministry carry out before cooperating with ISN, and why was the known history of Turkish interference not taken into account?
7. Is the minister willing to suspend all subsidy relationships with ISN and the ISN Academy with immediate effect until full clarity exists regarding the extent of Turkish state influence within this organisation?
8. Is the minister willing to ask the AIVD to draw up an updated threat assessment regarding the role of the Turkish Diyanet and affiliated organisations in the Netherlands, and to inform the House about this?
9. Are you prepared to reassess the diplomatic status of Mr Özgül in light of his activities outside the embassy, and, if necessary, take steps towards the Turkish embassy?