Dutch War Crimes
Sep 9th, 2008, in History, Opinion, by LairedionLairedion on the Dutch state being sued over war crimes at Rawagede, West Java.
Dutch State sued by Indonesians
On Monday 8 September 2008 10 Indonesian survivors of Dutch post WWII violence have sued the Dutch State for the assassination of their family members during the First Police Action (Agresi Militer Belanda I) after WW II. They want financial compensation, explanations and recognition for their suffering, as announced by their lawyer Mr. Gerrit Jan Pulles.
According to Pulles it is for the first time Indonesian victims of the fighting of 1945-1949 hold the Dutch State responsible. Mr. Pulles acts on behalf of ten villagers from Rawagede, West Java. They survived the bloody attack of the Dutch Army on 9 December 1947. According to the Dutch Honorary Debts Foundation, 431 (almost all the male) villagers were slaughtered. According to the Dutch Indulgence Note from 1969 150 people were killed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced they will study the matter.
Well into 2008, 63 years after Indonesian independence, the Dutch, due to their stubbornness, ignorance and patronizing behaviour, are being haunted again by their crimes in the aftermath of Soekarno’s declaration of 17-8-45 and they rightfully should. Only just being liberated themselves from the Germans the Dutch wanted to continue the situation as it was before WWII and re-occupy their former territories now being declared independent and bearing the name Republik Indonesia.
Rawagede is one of the most notorious events in the history of Indonesian struggle for independence against the Dutch. On 9 December 1947 Dutch forces raided the West Javanese village to look for weapons and Indonesian freedom fighter Lukas Kustario who often spent time in Rawagede. They didn’t find any weapons neither did they find Lukas.
Survivors of Rawagede remember (full version of documentary linked in footnotes).
Apparently dissatisfied by their lack of success the Dutch commander directed all males to be separated from the rest in order to execute all of them, despite the fact there were some young males of 11-12 years old among them. Indonesian leaders reported the mass killing to local UN officials. The UN made an inquiry and concluded the killings were “deliberate” and “ruthless” but failed to prosecute and to have the Dutch punished and sentenced for these obvious crimes against humanity and this is still the situation today!
Last month Pulles (of mixed Indo-Dutch blood like yours truly) visited Rawagede together with people from the “Yayasan Komite Utang Kehormatan Belanda (KUKB)”, including its chairman Jeffry Pondaag, to collect witness accounts and endorsements from survivors in order to hold the Dutch State responsible.
A protest outside Dutch embassy in Jakarta.
While financial compensation is sought after it must be noted that most survivors only want the Dutch State to take moral responsibility and offer official apologies to the Indonesian people. Furthermore they do not seek punishments for the people directly involved in the killings. One survivor just wants the Dutch not to forget what has happened.
At the same time more and more Dutch veterans, haunted by the crimes and horror they experienced, are supportive of the Rawagede survivors’ claim. It is very disappointing to see that of all the Dutch political parties only the left-wing Socialist Party support the claim while the conservative-liberal VVD on behalf of MP spokesman Hans van Baalen even denied Dutch crimes against humanity in Indonesia! 63 years of ignorance and subtle racism have been persistent obviously, a disease many Western nations still suffer from.
It is because of this the KUKB has been founded by Netherlands-based Indonesian Jeffy Pondaag in 2005. They demand the Dutch government:
- to recognize 17 August 1945 as the day Indonesia became independent.
- to offer apologies to the Indonesian people for its colonialism, slavery, gross violations of human rights and crimes against humanity.
The foundation is a non-subsidized independent foundation with branches in the Netherlands and Indonesia and would be happy to accept any donations. They look after the interests of civilian victims who suffered from violence and war crimes committed by Dutch military. Their website have more information on the Rawagede story and on the infamous Raymond Westerling who murdered thousands of innocent people in South Sulawesi.
Back in 2005 Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda, obviously speaking on behalf of the Indonesian people, made it clear Indonesia is not seeking apologies or compensation from the Dutch. This reaction came after then Dutch Foreign Minister Ben Bot (who is Jakarta-born) expressed regrets and morally accepted the de-facto independence of Indonesia on 17-8-45 while he was representing the Dutch government during the festivities of Independence Day on 17-8-2005. Bot’s remarks were widely criticized in the Dutch media for being insufficient and way too short of a full apology and recognition of 17-8-45.
Of course it is irrelevant if Indonesia is demanding apologies or compensation or not. It should come from the Dutch themselves but their stubbornness and ignorance are still hindering them anno 2008. The Netherlands have constantly refused to express a full apology and recognition but were always quick to raise their finger and lecture its former colony on alleged human rights violations during the Soeharto reign.
I’m fully supportive of the Rawagede villagers and any future similar cases, seeking for Dutch responsibility, recognition and financial compensation. Evidence is clear, witnesses and next of kin are still alive, we’re dealing with war crimes, gross violation of human rights and crimes against humanity and here lies an opportunity for the Dutch to finally deal with its own past by recognizing and helping those poor villagers.
Sources and links:
News article from Dutch daily “Parool” (Dutch) : Indonesiërs klagen Nederlandse staat aan
Website of KUKB (Dutch and Indonesian): Yayasan Komite Utang Kehormatan Belanda
1948 (English) Word document approx. 7.8 MB: Report of the Rawahgedeh observation team
Broadcast of Dutch news show Netwerk with topic on this story: Netwerk 8 September 2008 (witness accounts from survivors (Dutch-Indonesian-Sundanese). Streaming media, requires broadband internet access.
827 Comments on “Dutch War Crimes”
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Aluang Anak Bayang says:
Ouchgal, Brown men are worms .. is that all?
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AchmadSudarsono says:
@ Oigs,
See — your comment is fair enough. I’m finding myself agreeing with you. What’s wrong ?
@ Mets,
Ah yes, should’ve said the development industry. But good to hear you have an offer !
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Andy says:
Wrong oigal, I wasn’t trying to be personal here. I saw many cases during my time in Indo to suggest like did you that a professional woman who has studied and worked in the west needs to be careful what they wish for in regards to returning home. Everybody returning home from another country finds things hard for a while no matter where they go or come from.
But I found those who migrated to the west usually find it toughest going back to the third world. Not just Indonesia. Many filipinos I know arrive in the airport in Oz saying how it’s ‘good to be home’ and they only want to return to their birthplace for a holiday. The little annoyances they used to take for granted become bigger annoyances than even we find because for us it is a new experience.
Anyway i’d like to hear from any Indonesians here who have successfully made the transition back home and prefer their old world to the one they had in the west. -
Mets says:
@ Oigs not sure what industry you are from to comment…but I know what you mean re: patronage etc…thankfully I am not short in that area & do not lack a patron or two phew!!! As I know for what I want that is the one thing I probably would need most….
I hear your point oigs…I know it wont be plain sailing at all so…will just suck it and see as they say…
@ AAB – yes have a b/friend…and he is lovely!!! …btw …thanks for the youtube link lol!!! very funny ha ha!! but, you assume too much lol!!
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janma says:
I find ASSMAD a repugant little worm with no respect for anything however he is an intelligent and reasonably well read little worm
a book worm…?
Janma: “sometimes I crack myself up… truly I do… *wiping her eyes*
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@ janma
This smelly little worm (Ouchgal’s reference to Brown man) bites.
@ Ouchgal
Your entrenched neo nazis’ view is nothing new. Nothing that we don’t already know. ‘Blackies should be shot’, ‘Whiteys’ opinion is universal’, ‘Whiteys are always right’, ‘Blackies should be worst off if colonised by Asians’, ‘Brown Women prefer Whiteys’ etc etc. Take your pick. Aren’t they similar to What Rob or Andy or Ivan Milat espoused? No Brown man is bothered to take up those issues with you guys. Rumour had it that the 3 wives of Pak Achmad left him and he was looking for a White boy to inflict his sadomasochism fantasy on. You happened to come along.
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Ish says:
But I found those who migrated to the west usually find it toughest going back to the third world. Not just Indonesia. Many filipinos I know arrive in the airport in Oz saying how it’s ‘good to be home’ and they only want to return to their birthplace for a holiday. The little annoyances they used to take for granted become bigger annoyances than even we find because for us it is a new experience.
I agree with you, from what I witnessed of the Indonesian community here in Sydney, only the older generations would EVER consider going back to Indo permanently (except those who were deported.. they dont count hehe), and even then, a portion comes back, because they started missing their home, Oz.
Which is fair enough, given the difference in living standard here AND a legal & judicial system that actually functions!!
I, however, have plans or.. Cita cita to go back to Indo permanently after I finish my studies, because I love my country and want to contribute to its development 🙂
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AAB…
I am guessing you have not read through my posts and / or comments too closely if you think that they are in anyway neo-nazi in nature.
This assumes that I am right in joining the dots here that you think Oigal and my views are the same and as his views are neo-nazi then my views by default would be categorized as neo-nazi as well?
I have never said that my indigenous brothers and sisters should be shot. In fact I am a staunch advocate for indigenous rights. If you had bothered to check this out you would be much wiser for your efforts. I do not think that if you bothered to look that you would see me espousing any of the points you make.
It seems that your beef with me is that I am a “whitey” and that all whiteys are the same and hold the same views. But I guess this why very few people aside from yourself take you seriously as you dismiss all criticism of your points of view by saying something similar to, “just another whitey trying to lord of the brown man (or woman)”. Or your latest effort to label my comments as being neo-nazi.
Your choice of language says something about your views. I am sure you can work that one out for yourself.
I am not sure who Ivan Milat, a serial killer, fits into the group. I am also not sure what views Milat espoused that you are referring to.
As I have said many times before, you are a one trick pony and perhaps it is time for you to learn a new trick.
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Rob ..
Fair dinkum. Maybe I should read more than a paragraph what you wrote.
MX news Brisbane today reported that over 40% of Queenslanders are racists, and 10% of these felt that some ethnic group should not be allowed to Australia. If I have to exclude the Blackies, the Islanders, the Wogs and the Asians in the 40% Queenslanders, you go figure out what percentage of Anglo white are rednecks. Yes, I and many well-travelled Asians hold view that convict descents are the most insidious group and I am not speaking from isolated personal incidence. Only a die-hard Murray carp like yourself try to dismiss it as anecdotal.
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Yes AAB, you of course along with your country are not racist at all are you.
I probably to noone’s surprise would be amongst the group you talk about as I don’t believe muslims should be allowed into non muslim countries after the atrocities they have caused to innocent victims. They are truly racist and believe only in their narrow, extreme point of view which is on a par with Nazi Germany in my opinion. And yes I wouldn’t like Former Nazis living in my country either and they are whiter than I am so we can hardly call it racist can we. And you are wrong, many many immigrants from many backgrounds hold racist views, not only white anglos. Wogs for example have told me they don’t like asians, asians usually don’t like different religious groups to their own or our indigenous folks (asians tell me they are lazy), nobody seems to like middle eastern immigrants but then again as much as they love our country they seem to despise our infidel lifestyles also.
There was a poll of Indonesian government workers used to decide who to send to your embassy in Canberra and they found 95% had a negative view of Australia.
Get out of your shell for once and look at yourself in the mirror before throwing around the racist tag.
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Ivan Milat, for anyone who hasn’t heard of him, was one of Australia’s most notorious serial killers. What AAB says is totally misleading. He didn’t hold particularly racist views in fact his victims were all of anglo descent. They were mostly backpackers on camping holidays as he killed his victims in the Southern Highlands not far from where he lived. Also he himself is not from an anglo celtic background (Croatian I believe). So why I wonder does AAB put myself, Rob and Milat in the same basket. AAB, you have far more in common with Amrozi (who killed 20 times as many as Milat) than I have with Milat. Your views and his are probably pretty close in fact going by the mood of your posts.
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Oigal says:
Allstar Anak Babi..A Neo Nazi no less?? This will come as some surprise to another (although recently missing in action) IM flamer of choice who has me pegged as a left, wing liberal communist.
Now normally I would be offended that someone would deliberately misquote me and attribute such balantly racist comments to me however in this case you have just proved my point that you really have nothing of substance to add to any debate beyond naagh..naagh..naghh..
Rob…Fair Go..Liberal Conservative (although Palin scares me) perhaps..Neo Nazi.. I don’t even own a leather jacket..
Jamma..Good pick up
ASSMAD..You are coming over to the dark side is all, we will have you geeing for big John M and the scary lady by the end of the month, could also be the fact that you started a troll trend that others have followed but unfortunately lack the additional depth of knowledge to make it interesting..kind of embarrassing huh
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Sadly, Oigal, a bit, yes. I don’t mind that Obama boy, just want to know what does he stand for ?
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Oigal…
On re-reading my comment I should probably clarify a little 😀
To all and sundry – I do not think Oigal’s comments to be neo-nazi. I was attempting to distinguish that my comments and Oigal’s are different in many ways and to lump them together suggests that they are the same which is a misrepresentation of what either of us says or argues.
Once again, I was merely trying to highlight that the comments were different. Oigal, my apologies for any offence caused.
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Rob, don’t you know AAB’s racist anti white views make him think all of us are in the same basket. Now I know you find it repugnant to think anyone would think you and I are alike in any way and oigal has stated what he thinks of my comments but in the eyes of AAB all whites are the same.
He is of the ilk that thinks any white who puts a foot out of line is an out and out racist but it is ok for his own to say or do whatever they like and go back to the tired old line of colonial oppression or whatever their excuse is. Like yesterday when the Bali bombers promised more attacks on the eve of their holy day. That’s fine for him and he probably quietly applauded what they said. I bet he even had a celebratory bottle of teh botol the night of the bombings back in 2002. Thought he’d seen the last of the bules in his country only to underestimate our toughness and resilience when staring an enemy in the eye.
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Andy…
Good to see that you are up and at it bright and early on this Thursday morning.
That was my point. I can disagree with your views and those of Oigal without having to hide behind a lack of argument by labelling you a neo-Nazi or fascist or anything else.
Yes, AAB is a one trick pony. That trick is generally to lump all bules into the one basket. That said he does reserve a special place for anglo-celts and they come in for special treatment.
Andy, repugnant is your word not mine. I am happy to disagree with you and argue with you on the merits of the positions we adopt. For example, I have problems with your generalizations of Indonesians and I have pointed out why I have this problem. I do not suggest you cannot hold these opinions, rather I just simply say they are wrong and then if I am so inclined go about my business of trying to prove why I think they are wrong. In this regard I am sure that you deconstruct my arguments and do a similar thing.
We have things in common. We are both Australian, we are both proud of being Australian, we both recognize that Australia has afforded us opportunities that we would not have had elsewhere, we have both lived in Indonesia, and we have divergent views on almost all things.
So, I do not find you repugnant but rather I find that you are misinformed and misguided on many things. That said, you probably think me to be equally misinformed and misguided. 😀
As Uncle Ned once said, “such is life”.
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Thanks Rob, not so early in Australia of course but I usually wake up around 6am EST. I guess you woke up to the sound of drums (oh how I miss that sound -NOT).
I used the word repugnant but am pleased that you don’t find what I say that way. Cheers, hope you can find a place to drink today.
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Ah Obama..Now why do I immediatly think of the manchurcian candidate or Megasilly (what does She stand for and who pulls the strings? )..
Rob.. No worries..never really worries me when people make extreme comparisions (not that you did) it just demonstrates their inability to frame an intelligent articulate reponse. Some (who shall remain anon as they already have an inflated ego) are far more tricky with the subtle changes in context which are far harder to defend against.
Andy.. Its not personal sport, you rise to the bait from a couple of pseudo Indonesians, i am only concerned you really think these two mud crap intellects are really Indonesians.
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Pretty sure AAB is thoroughly Indonesian Oigs.
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klong says:
It’s about time the Dutch are made to confront their shady past. It is a must that they are forced to give up their present tactic of denial or changing the topic. They must pay for their crimes as a nation.
Interesting that the first comment (klinch) was about Indonesia, Papua and Timor. “Change the topic” tactics, as usual, by a people with a cowards mentality.
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Patung…
So, you know AAB personally? He seems to be quite an antagonistic man.
AAB…
Fair Dinkum! I will take Patung’s word that you are all Indonesian and not some pseudo-Indonesian poser. Not that it matters much anyway.
Maybe you should read more than a paragraph or two, and you might learn something about racism and tolerance and understanding. You, sir, are a racist! I am sure that Patung thinks this term to be used to loosely on IM but in your case it is a case of if the cap fits, wear it!
I am guessing that you are referring to the Dunn study on racism? If you had read my posts and my blog you would have seen that I have written and commented on this study. In fact. I even commented that 40% seemed a little low because when you survey people they are generally a little reluctant to confess to being racist or holding opinions that might be considered racist.
Why are you excluding people from the study / survey? Is it possible that for example an Australian of Asian ancestry to hold an opinion that might fit into the category of racist?
Can you point me to a study that says the following:
I and many well-travelled Asians hold view that convict descents are the most insidious group and I am not speaking from isolated personal incidence
Because if you cannot then isn’t this by its very nature personal experience and anecdotal?
I am not dismissing the study. In fact, I think the results of the study are something that the Australian community needs to address in a comprehensive and constructive way. Unfortunately, you live in Australia and your comments here on IM evidence no such intent to work constructively to making your adopted homeland a better place.
Rather you seem content on branding all white folk as rednecks and racists while trotting out nothing but racist rhetoric yourself. I do not know if I am the only one, but AAB you seem to be a hypocrite you bemoan racism against you but have no problem in being racist against others. Go figure.
Yet, it makes me wonder that if Australia is so racist and so evil and so uninviting for you, why do you choose to stay. You could come back to Indonesia and live the racist free live here in Java? Once again, go figure!
Die-hard Murray carp. Nah, not me!
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Patung…
Seeing this thread is supposed to be on Dutch War Crimes, then perhaps these comments on racism and the like can be moved to the racism thread?
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Interesting Rob, I wasn’t aware that our old friend AAB was living in our country. I thought he only studied here in his younger days. So very interesting…here he is slagging us off at any opportunity while reaping the benefits of living amongst us. Why does he stay here? Good question…I will guess-so he can bludge on our generous welfare system on a Centrelink payment (most likely disability- the old bad back playing up again), doctor shop with his Medicare card and even get cheaper bus trips. Must think he is in paradise but his munafik fanatical muslim upbringing wont allow him to just say he likes us and our way of life. Poor boy.
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Andy…
To be honest I am not 100% certain where AAB is. His posts talk a lot and frequently about spending time in Brisbane. I get the impression that he is there now. Although, I am sure AAB will enlighten me on the error of my ways if he is in fact residing in Indonesia.
However, the majority of his complaints and generalizations focus on Brisbane and her surrounds. It might just be that he did study there in his youth or his kids study there now and he is a frequent visitor or he just has a fascination for Brisbane based news and gets online to read it often.
I do not know and it doesn’t really matter. I am an Anglo-Celt and that is all he needs to know about me to slander and defame me. It is kind of funny in that perverse kind of a way as he rants and raves about racist “whiteys” but does so by being racist himself.
Oh well. Such is Life!
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Well you know, people like him always bite the hand that feeds them. So i’m guessing he either lives here too or had the benefit of our education system which allows him to write English to reasonable level on a website such as this one. Ungrateful cretin he is.
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purba negoro says:
Andy-
your wisdom and anecdote border on the rants of a lunatic asylum inmateOinkgal
your monosyllabic grunts barely qualify the dignity of intelligent response – but alas I enjoy slumming.I am really in Ostraya as we speak- in Melboring- in the Park Hyatt.
Took wife and daughter to Melboring Central (2 Oct 13:00)- Ostrayan builders whistled and called out something about “Shars ya tits luv”.I hopped back into our car- told the driver Con- to follow them. I confronted them at the traffic lights- typical Ostrayans wet their short trousers “Chill out maaaaaate- we didn’t mean anythink” and refused to settle the matter by physical means to rectify the insult my honour.
Please stop the comedic material- Ostraya and sophistication of any sort is an utter paradox and comedic oxymoron ask any Briton. They detest their Ostrayan infestation of monosyllabic marginally capable and borderline mentally sufficient bar-workers (Ostrayans are bred for it: it’s instinct”)
Like:
“Australian culture”, “Australian history”, “Australian racial tolerance”
“The Clever country [sic Ostraya], “The Lucky Country [sic Ostraya]”Oinkie:
Kilts are for Jocks
Singing and sheep are for Taffys
a better insult eluding your marginal intellect would have been references to teeth, Morris Dancing, smocks and NigelsBetter luck next time Oink-Gal aka Shazza, Kathloiy-eeen, or Kimberleeeeyeee de facto named Shaaaaaane, Dwaaaayaaaan or Jaaayaaaa-son.
When off to Baaaaaarh-loi [Bali] next? -
PN-Shars ya tits luv
Would say Purba’s talking out of his rear end again. Haven’t heard anything like that in oz in years. And i’m quite sure a bunch of builders wouldn’t be afraid of our dear mate.
One thing though, at least if purba did shape up to one or two of our guys he know’s he wont have to fight the whole street as a bule in Indonesia would. I confronted a few over there and even knowing the weight of the country would back em up they went to water. Most Indonesians are cowards-ok that was unfair. Most Javanese muslims are cowards! And i’m sure you are too Purba. If you really are in Melbourne, I will go to the Park Hyatt and take you on. Get ready to rumble!!!
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dragonwall says:
I am really in Ostraya as we speak- in Melboring- in the Park Hyatt.
Took wife and daughter to Melboring Central (2 Oct 13:00)- Ostrayan builders whistled and called out something about “Shars ya tits luv”.Ahh… you have been relentlessly defending your own version of Indonesian know all and detested the Whites and Australian whom you consider with such similarity as to ancient negriti and yet you are in that country?
How munafik you are.. Traitor… So Aussies be careful if you see someone similar to the look of Prabowo or dorning a red colored gigolo cap in the vicinity of Park Hyatt then that must be him…
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I very much doubt he looks anything like the picture. In fact I can imagine Prabowo wouldn’t be too happy having his picture splashed across these pages with such embarrassing racist drones alongside it.
I can imagine firstly that Purba is not staying in Melbourne at all and secondly he is probably fat, balding, short, dark skinned and smelling of B.O.
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Hi seksi Mets.
Are you attached?
🙂