In an effort to promote transparency and justice, the surviving relatives of individuals who have died during or following police actions are advocating for access to the investigation files related to their loved ones’ deaths. This move comes as part of a campaign by Controle Alt Delete, an organization dedicated to combating police brutality and ethnic profiling, to ensure that the government grants surviving relatives the right to receive a complete, anonymized file post-investigation.
Background and Context
Between 2015 and 2024, a total of 105 people died after police intervention, with 70% of them having mental health issues. The organization Controle Alt Delete has reported that the Public Prosecution Service (OM) decided not to prosecute the involved officers in 94% of cases. This lack of transparency has hindered the ability of families to file well-informed objections or seek further legal action if they believe the police actions were unjustified.
Initiatives and Calls for Action
To address these concerns, Controle Alt Delete is holding a commemorative event in The Hague to honor all victims who died during police interventions. The organization has also launched a petition, urging the government to provide surviving relatives with access to the investigation files once the criminal investigation into each incident has been concluded.
Current Barriers to Access
Currently, surviving relatives must seek access to the investigation files through legal means, a process that can be prohibitively expensive and fraught with bureaucratic hurdles. The Public Prosecution Service (OM) only allows legal representatives to view the files but does not permit the release of the documents to the client in their entirety. This limitation complicates the ability of relatives to thoroughly review the evidence and potentially challenge the OM’s decision not to prosecute.
Support from Legal and Victim Support Organizations
The initiative has received support from prominent victim lawyer Richard Korver, who has handled several such requests and noted inconsistencies in the OM’s reasons for withholding the files. Korver and Controle Alt Delete are backed by Victim Support Netherlands and Ypsilon, an organization that supports relatives and loved ones of individuals with psychosis sensitivity, further amplifying the call for transparency and justice.
Government Response and Legal Framework
The OM maintains that granting access to the investigation files could potentially compromise the integrity of the investigation and pose risks to individuals. They argue that anonymization is not always sufficient to protect personal data from being traced. The OM’s position is grounded in the need to prevent unauthorized use of investigation documents and the potential for them to be misused.
Conclusion
The initiative by Controle Alt Delete highlights the critical need for transparency in police custody deaths. By advocating for access to investigation files, the organization aims to empower surviving relatives with the information necessary to challenge decisions made by the Public Prosecution Service and ensure that justice is served in every case. The ongoing dialogue and efforts to refine the legal framework for such access are crucial steps towards addressing the concerns of families and promoting a fair and just system for all.
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