The Lens: Amsterdam launches new campaign warning party-seeking British men to ‘stay away’

Amsterdam is targeting young men from Britain in a “Stay Away” campaign aimed at keeping rowdy visitors away from the city.

The online effort was launched last week by city authorities and initially targets British men between the ages of 18 and 35. It would be broadened over the year to include potential “nuisance visitors” from European Union countries, the municipality said in a statement.

Research has shown that British men aged 18 to 35 and Dutchmen of a similar age tend to make the most trouble in the city’s red-light district, making life unbearable for residents with stag parties and all-night binges of alcohol and drugs, The Guardian reported on March 28.

Those who use search terms such as “stag party Amsterdam”, “cheap hotel Amsterdam” or “pub crawl Amsterdam” online will be met with advertisements that show videos warning them of the risks associated with excessive drinking and drug use, such as fines, a criminal record or hospitalisation.

“Amsterdam is a metropole, and crowds and bustle are inherent features. To keep our city liveable, we now have to choose restriction instead of irresponsible growth,” Amsterdam’s deputy mayor Sofyan Mbarki said in the statement, adding that the city was taking more measures against excessive tourism than other large cities in Europe.

The campaign is an attempt to help the city, famed for its red-light district and coffee shops that sell marijuana, crack down on the wrong kind of mass tourism.

It is part of a larger package of measures adopted by the city council, with Amsterdam also seeking to ban outdoor marijuana smoking in the red-light district.

Amsterdam attracts more than a million tourists monthly, surpassing its population of just over 800,000.

“Visitors will remain welcome, but not if they misbehave and cause a nuisance,” Mbarki said. “In that case, we as a city will say: rather not, stay away.”

Bloomberg and Sue Ng

• Do you think the “Stay Away” campaign will be effective?

• Suggest other ways the city could tackle its rowdy tourist problem.

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Valerie Shek, 12, ISF Academy

A civil “engagement group” has been established by Japanese LGBTQ activists and rights organisations to make policy recommendations in advance of the Group of Seven summits in June. They hope to pressure the Japanese government to pass an anti-discrimination law, which would shield citizens from discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Unfortunately, such a law does not yet exist in Japan.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has said that he opposes same-sex marriage. He has, however, stated that he is in favour of “partnership certificates”, which would grant same-sex couples some legal rights.

Activists are certain their efforts will pay off. They are advocating for a thorough anti-discrimination law that ensures equal treatment for LGBTQ persons at work and in housing, education, and healthcare.

Prejudice against the LGBTQ population is still pervasive in Japan, and it is difficult for the community to fight against discrimination and injustice in the absence of legislative safeguards. A law would give the community a legal foundation to pursue justice and equality.

LGBTQ activists in Japan have made significant advancements in their fight. Hopefully, an anti-discrimination law would abolish the biases and disadvantages that LGBTQ people face in Japan. The urgency of the movement is further illustrated by the involvement of Prime Minister Kishida, who is at least tangentially engaged in the conversation.

The Lens: Japan LGBTQ activists launch engagement group ahead of G7 summit to fight for anti-discrimination law