Video: Mother of Dutch girl abducted to India holds peaceful protest during Modi's visit
The mother of Insiya Hemani, a girl who was abducted from Amsterdam when she was a two-year-old, stood with dozens of supporters outside the gates of Huis ten Bosch palace Saturday as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived as part of his state visit to the Netherlands. Nadia Rashid’s daughter was kidnapped in 2016 and taken to India in a violent plot which led to the conviction of her father, Shehzad Hemani, his cousin, and several other co-conspirators. Modi was set to meet with King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima, and Prime Minister Rob Jetten this weekend.
Insiya, now 12, has not been seen by her mother in the 10 years since four men seized her in broad daylight on Sept. 29, 2016, while she visited her grandmother in Amsterdam-Oost and forcibly took her to her father in India.
A Dutch court has convicted the father and sentenced him to 8½ years in prison, but he has not been extradited, and Insiya remains in India.
"I have the feeling that today, both the prime ministers and the royal couple will make a commitment to Insiya. To ensure she comes back as soon as possible," Rashid told NOS. "Also, they realize that it has taken much too long for Insiya."
Supporters lined the driveway holding signs reading “No child should wait 10 years” and “Insiya = a Dutch child.” Demonstrators chanted the girl’s name toward the palace for several minutes. Modi was driven in via another route.
"I feel strengthened," Rashid said. "It is really a pity that he did not drive past here. But that does not mean he has not taken note of anything. It is about me being able to hold her again. I will stand for that forever. I am sure it has not escaped them."
Later Sunday, Jetten said he sees new opportunities to resolve the case through a strategic partnership agreement the Netherlands and India signed Saturday that calls for more frequent high-level consultations.
"The strategic partnership that we are concluding today between India and the Netherlands also offers us possibilities to discuss sensitive subjects with each other more often," Jetten said at a news conference at Catshuis.
Jetten repeated that he would raise the matter personally with Modi during the visit. He wants India to understand "that this is very important for all Dutch people."
"We want to intensify that cooperation, but then we also expect that something will come in return in these kinds of very heavy personal cases that have already lasted much too long," he added.
Jetten offered no guarantees and said India has made no commitments so far. He stressed the importance of working with "the largest democracy in the world," which should respect court rulings. "We will not rest until the Indians are also convinced of that importance," Jetten said.
The premier said he maintains good contact with Insiya’s mother. "And that helps us to not forget this personal story and to put it in the spotlight with India every time," he said.
The case has been raised repeatedly at the highest levels, including by then-Prime Minister Mark Rutte during a 2018 visit to India and through multiple consular discussions. This week, Dutch officials told parliament the cabinet feels "frustration" over the lack of results.
Vice Prime Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz earlier announced that the Netherlands will send a delegation to India to examine what is needed for a resolution, including a possible meeting between mother and daughter. Jetten has said the cabinet wants to send a minister soon. He acknowledged the abduction is a complex matter "that cannot be solved at once."
Yeşilgöz stressed that while the Netherlands wants to do business with India, "a solution for Insiya should come with it."
