Netherlands: Father and Brothers on Trial in Honour Killing of 18-Year-Old
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands - 2024/07/03 14:15 CET - An 18-year-old Dutch woman was allegedly drowned by her father and two brothers in 2023 for exhibiting “Western behavior,” prosecutors revealed today as the trial commenced in Rotterdam. The accused – the girl’s father and her two brothers, aged 22 and 24 – face charges of murder and manslaughter.
The case has ignited a national conversation about honour killings within immigrant communities in the Netherlands and across Europe. Authorities allege the victim, whose name has not been publicly released to protect family members, was targeted due to her perceived deviation from traditional cultural norms. The prosecution contends the family viewed her lifestyle as bringing shame upon them, leading to a premeditated act of violence.If convicted, the three men could face life imprisonment.
According to court documents, the girl was last seen alive on November 26, 2023, at her family home in Rotterdam. Investigators discovered inconsistencies in the family’s initial statements, prompting a deeper examination that ultimately led to the revelation of evidence suggesting a planned drowning. The body was recovered from a canal outside Rotterdam several days later.
The trial is expected to last several weeks, with prosecutors presenting forensic evidence, witness testimonies, and digital communications to build their case. Defence lawyers have indicated they will challenge the prosecution’s claims, arguing the death was accidental. The case underscores the ongoing struggle to balance cultural traditions with fundamental human rights and the legal protections afforded to all citizens.
