Netherlands

Netherlands: Dutch court rejects challenge to assisted suicide ban

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A Dutch court on Wednesday upheld the Netherlands’ ban on assisted suicide, a setback for activists who said the prohibition infringes on their right to determine when their lives end.

The Hague District Court rejected the activists’ argument that the ban violated the European Convention on Human Rights.

Islamic groups criticise Netherlands' plan to censor Quran schools

08 Dec 2022; MEMO: Islamic organisations in the Netherlands have criticised a draft decision that would impose censorship on Quran institutes in the country.

The draft resolution was submitted by the Minister of Education, Dennis Wiersma, last month, and would allow the imposition of censorship over educational institutions that are not affiliated with the ministry and are not funded by it, including institutes for memorising the Quran in mosques.

Dutch court hands life sentences to men convicted of MH17 downing

AMSTERDAM, Nov 17 (Reuters) - A Dutch court on Thursday handed down life long jail sentences to three suspects it convicted of murder for their role in shooting down Malaysia Airlines passenger flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014.

The convicted men, two Russian former intelligence officers and a Ukrainian separatist leader, were also ordered to pay at least 16 million euros ($16.5 million) in compensation to relatives of the victims.

The men remain fugitives. They are all believed to be in Russia, which will not extradite them.

Dutch court confirms that MH 17 was shot down by Russian-made missile

AMSTERDAM, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down in 2014 by a Russian-made missile fired from a field in eastern Ukraine, the Dutch court handling the trial of four suspects in the downing of the plane said on Thursday.

"The court is of the opinion that MH17 was brought down by the firing of a BUK missile from a farm field near Pervomaisk, killing al 283 passengers and 15 crew members," presiding judge Hendrik Steenhuis said.

Netherlands: Climate activists block private jets at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport

AMSTERDAM, Nov 5 (Reuters) - Hundreds of environmental activists wearing white overalls stormed an area holding private jets at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport and stopped aircraft from leaving for hours by sitting in front of their wheels on Saturday.

Military police moved in and were seen taking dozens of the protesters away in buses. More than 100 activists were arrested, national broadcaster NOS reported.

Netherlands to repatriate 12 women, 28 children from Syria camps

02 Nov 2022; MEMO: The Netherlands has announced its plans to repatriate 12 women and 28 children back to their home country, in the latest move by a European State to do so.

According to a statement by the Dutch government yesterday, the women – who are suspected of committing terror offences due to their travel to join Daesh – "will be arrested after their arrival in the Netherlands and will be tried". Neither the identity of the women, the children, nor their location were revealed.

Netherlands: Climate activists get a month in prison for Vermeer protest

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Two Belgian activists who targeted Johannes Vermeer’s “Girl with a Pearl Earring” painting in a climate protest last week were sentenced Wednesday to two months in prison, with prosecutors saying their action “crossed a line” of acceptable protest.

Half of the sentence was suspended by a judge in The Hague, meaning the men will serve one month. A third suspect is due in court Friday. Their identities were not released, in line with Dutch privacy rules.

Israeli army officer should face ICC investigation for war crimes, says NGO

01 Nov 2022; MEMO: A senior Israeli army officer should be investigated by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity, an NGO has demanded. Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN) said that the Israel Defence Forces' former West Bank legal adviser, Eyal Toledano, "was responsible for the legal planning and approval of all IDF policies that violate international humanitarian law."

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