A Dutch government amnesty for asylum seekers is nearly ready, says Deputy Justice Minister Nebahat Albayrak. The amnesty is designed to bring an end to thousands of long-drawn-out asylum procedures.

Under the amnesty, around 27,000 asylum seekers will be able to remain in the Netherlands. However, six thousand people who do not qualify under the regulations will be obliged to leave the country.

Three thousand of the asylum seekers who will be allowed to stay have yet to be housed. The Deputy Minster says she expects that everyone will be accommodated by the end of this year.