Image
Friday, 10 October 2014 - 10:37
Family of MH17 victims to sue Netherlands
Family of the flight MH17 victims is going to sue the Dutch State for gross negligence and carelessness in the handling of the tragedy.
Relatives were shocked when they heard Minister Frans Timmermans (Foreign Affairs) reveal on the talk show Pauw that one of the victims were found with an oxygen mask. Thus far relatives could find comfort in the thought that their loved ones had not suffered, but this was destroyed by Timmermans' statement.
"It's not a choice. We knew nothing. This should never have happened." says a spokesperson for Foundation MH17, which represents dozens of relatives of MH17 victims.
Law firm Van der Groen is going to sue the Dutch State for Foundation MH17. "Also because still no proper investigation has been done at the disaster scene," says Bob van der Groen, "The Netherlands must provide security guarantees. We hold the State liable for the immaterial damage."
Malaysia Airlines is also furious. "An enormous slip by Timmermans, which cannot remain without consequences." says a spokesperson, "We were not aware of this. It is an affront to the families of victims."
Criticism can also be heard in the Second Chamber. According to the SP it was "clumsy and wrong". The D66 finds the actions by the PvdA minister "clumsy, the PVV finds it a "blunder". CDA leader Buma: "It is really incomprehensible that as a minister you would say things like this."
Yesterday Timmermans said that he regrets his statements.