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The government of the Netherlands must pay compensation to widows and children of Indonesian men summarily executed in their country's war for independence, according to a court ruling yesterday that could open the door to many more claims.
The case is the latest legal battle to focus on atrocities committed by Dutch forces in Indonesia's 1940s independence war.
The Hague District Court ruled that nine elderly women, who live in Indonesia and weren't present for the decision, were widows "of men unlawfully executed under the responsibility of the Dutch state" and were entitled to damages.
Judges rejected the government's argument that the cases couldn't go ahead because the statute of limitations had expired. It also ruled children of executed men were due compensation.
"There is no good reason in the law to exclude the children, which is a huge step forward," said lawyer Liesbeth Zegveld.
The government had no immediate reaction to the ruling.
The Dutch government apologised in 2013 for atrocities committed by its forces in fighting between 1945, when Indonesia declared its independence from Dutch colonial rule, and 1949, when the Netherlands finally recognised independence.
In an earlier case, the government was ordered to pay €20,000 (HK$164,000) each to another group of Indonesian widows, opening the doors to other claims in out-of-court settlements. Yesterday's decision was significant because judges explicitly said that children were also entitled to damages. The court didn't set a specific amount of compensation for the nine widows whose claims were accepted.
Jeffry Pondaag, chairman of a group representing families of Indonesians killed under colonial rule, welcomed the judgment.
"It is very satisfying," he said after the verdict. "They said the statute of limitations is off the table. That is good for the future. There will be more cases."
 


Netherlands court rules widows and children of executed Indonesian freedom fighters deserve compensation

Indonesian Vice-president Hatta and Dutch Queen Juliana at the signing ceremony in The Hague at which the Dutch recognised Indonesian sovereignty. Photo: Wiki

At midnight on 20 July 1947, the Dutch launched a major military offensive called Operation Product, with the intent of conquering the Republic.  Photo: Wiki

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Asia

The government of the Netherlands must pay compensation to widows and children of Indonesian men summarily executed in their country's war for independence, according to a court ruling yesterday.
