topics
tools
Expatica countries
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2304.58 1.43
DAX 6766.67 1.67
IBEX 30 8861.2 1.01
CAC 40 3427.92 1.52
FTSE 100 5901.07 1.81
AEX 326.33 1.01
DJIA 12862.23 1.23
Nasdaq 2905.66 1.61
FTSE MIB 16439.62 1.00
TSX Composite 12577.28 0.19
ASX 4320.1 -0.30
Hang seng 20756.98 0.08
Straits Times 2917.95 0.58
ISEQ 20 506.95 2.24
You are here: Home News Dutch News Impunity for 1947 Dutch massacre was deliberate

Dutch News

archive
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


26/05/2009Impunity for 1947 Dutch massacre was deliberate

New findings reveal that the decision to not prosecute the army officer responsible for the massacre of 431 Indonesians was taken immediately after the tragedy.

The Hague – The decision not to prosecute a Dutch army officer for the massacre of over 400 Indonesians in 1947 was taken straight after the killing, reveals a Dutch television current affairs programme.

In an interview with the Netwerk, Jeffrey Pondaag of the Committee for Dutch Honours of Debt said an exchange of letters reveals that the decision was taken immediately after the tragedy in spite of a recommendation by Chief of Staff General Simon Spoor to the procurator general, H W Felderhof, to prosecute Major Alphons Wijnen for the atrocity.

Wijnen was in command of the unit that committed the massacre.

On 9 December 1947, Dutch troops reportedly killed 431 inhabitants from Rawagede in western Java. The military operations were intended to bring the Indonesia back under Dutch control after the end of the Japanese occupation.

Up to now, the authorities claimed that the case against the massacre perpetrators had been barred by lapse of time.

Labour MP Martijn van Dam said he is shocked by the revelation.
 
The Hague refuses to pay damages to the 10 family members who filed a lawsuit against the Netherlands because the statute of limitations has expired. The nine widows and a boy then who survived the killing wanted financial compensation, explanations and recognition for their suffering.

Radio Netherlands / Expatica


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment

General rating: Not rated yet

Rate article:    Add my rating


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment
Discussion Forums

Americans in the Netherlands

Where can I watch the SUPERBOWL???

Discuss Dutch Culture

Best European Blog

Australians in the Netherlands

Driver's licence

Community Noticeboard The Netherlands

Cleaning Lady Housekeeper Offered

Community Noticeboard The Netherlands

Need a babysitter?

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Setting up home in the Netherlands

Setting up home in the Netherlands

A guide to telephone, internet and television along with utility services water, electricity and gas in the Netherlands.

Dutch immigration and residency regulations

Dutch immigration and residency regulations

Lost in the Dutch immigration system? Look no further than this guide compiled for our Survival Guide 2012.

A brief introduction to the Netherlands

A brief introduction to the Netherlands

Expatica offers a whistle-stop tour of life in the modern Netherlands.

Giving birth in the Netherlands

Giving birth in the Netherlands

The challenges and benefits of the maternity system in the Netherlands and how it differs to other countries.