Netherlands: I am not loyal to the Netherlands

A theoretical question: A Jewish senator in the United States would join an Israeli advisory council. He would announce that he's not loyal to the United States. How much fuss would that engender?

While the debate is still going on in the Netherlands about whether ministers may hold double citizenship, it turns out that Dutch parliament member Khadija Arib is working for an advisory council to the king of Morooco. The council was set up to strengthen and guard the Moroccan identity of Moroccans outside Morocco. The council will also recruit highly placed Moroccans around the world for a yet to be set up "High Council".

Arib says she does not understand why this is a problem and says she can combine her work as a Dutch parliamentarian with her work for Morocco. She sees no problem of conflicting loyalties. Having just sworn loyalty to the Netherlands as a parliament member she says: "I am not loyal to the Netherlands, I am not loyal to Morocco, but I am loyal to my own principles. And that is respect for human rights and women rights."

She felt honored to be in the council which, according to her, was set up by an independent human rights organization. As it happens this same organization, CCDH (Conseil Consultatif des droits de l'Homme) is set up by the king and advises him directly.

Arib stresses that the council is independent. "The president of the council sat in jail for 17 years. He's a kind of Moroccan Mandela. The council also has a senator from France and a parliament member from Belgium, as well as many scholars from diverse countries." she says that the Moroccan-European intellectuals want a council for human rights according to the French model and especially the Spanish model after Franco.

Morocco is trying very hard to strengthen its ties with Moroccans living outside the homeland. Last year the king suggested that such Moroccans would be able to be voted in to the Moroccan parliament.

It is unclear what the "High Council for the Moroccan Community Abroad" is supposed to be doing, though it has been suggested that some of its members will be part of the Moroccan parliament. It is certain that its members will have to swear loyalty to the Moroccan king.

Arib says she has no idea if she'll be part of this High Council, but think the entire fuss over it is ridiculous. "If I would be part of an advisory council in Nepal, you would never ask me this question."

Source: Wereld Omroep (Dutch), NRC (Dutch) - Klein Verzet has a good summary of the development of the double nationality story.

Update

I found the site of the CCDH (in French), but could find no mention of her name there.