Dutch ordered to pay compensation to victims of colonial killings

Liesbeth Zegveld

Human rights lawyer Liesbeth Zegveld took the Dutch state to court in The Hague on behalf of eight widows and three children, The Guardian reports.

The men, who were killed between December 1946 and April 1947, are among hundreds killed by soldiers as they sought to brutally reassert Dutch colonial rule over Indonesia.

Lawyers for the Netherlands argued that the claims should be struck out because too much time had passed.

The court awarded compensation of between €123.48 and €3,634 to most of the claimants, while 83-year-old Andi Monji, who was forced to watch as his father was executed when he was 10 years old, was awarded €10,000.

Ms Zegveld said: “We’re pleased with the ruling. It wasn’t easy; it took eight years of proceedings. It’s a pity that the Netherlands government hasn’t been more forthcoming, as many of our clients passed away during the proceedings.

“Nevertheless, for those still alive and all the families, the court’s recognition of their suffering and their entitlement to compensation is important.”