Rebecca Project for Human Rights Condemns Netherlands-Turkey Trade Talks While Senior Dutch and Turkish Government Officials Continue to Cover Up the Pedophile Accusations Against Former Dutch Justice Ministry Secretary General Joris Demmink

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte travels with a delegation of prominent Dutch businessmen on a trade mission to Turkey, questions remain regarding the involvement of Mr. Rutte's government in covering up accusations of pedophilia, in both the Netherlands and Turkey, against former Dutch Justice Ministry Secretary General Joris Demmink.  Mr. Demmink's retirement ceremony on October 31, during which he was honored for his government service by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands and other senior members of the Dutch government, effectively ended the Dutch government's opportunity to arrest and prosecute Demmink for these alleged instances of pedophilia.  The Rebecca Project for Human Rights Executive Director Imani Walker and Policy Director Kwame Fosu issued the following statement, strongly condemning the trade discussions between the Dutch and Turkish governments, while the accused crimes that Demmink perpetrated against victims in the Netherlands and Turkey remain unanswered:

"Senior Dutch and Turkish government officials have been both active and complicit in the cover-up of pedophilia accusations against former Dutch Justice Ministry Secretary General Joris Demmink.  Dutch law enforcement officials have continued to turn a blind eye to these accusations. Turkish law enforcement officials have intimidated the victims of Demmink's crimes. While the United States and the United Kingdom have actively sought answers in recent pedophilia investigations, the Dutch and Turkish governments have further victimized those who Demmink allegedly raped. This must end.

"During Mr. Rutte's visit to Turkey, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan should demand answers from his Dutch counterpart about the alleged rapes of three Turkish boys by Demmink in the 1990s.  Instead of focusing on economic development between the Netherlands and Turkey, the Prime Ministers should instead empower investigators in both countries to interview the accusers of Demmink, as well as other witnesses. The Turkish government must also release documents to independent investigators, demonstrating that Demmink was in Turkey in the 1990s at the time of the alleged sexual assaults against the Turkish boys.  Demmink repeatedly has denied traveling to Turkey in the 1990s, despite overwhelming evidence proving otherwise.

"Finally, Turkish and Dutch government officials who have covered up Demmink's crimes, or have been complicit in the cover-up, should take heed of the recent indictment of former Penn State President Graham Spanier, who is accused of perjury, obstruction of justice, and child endangerment while convicted pedophile Jerry Sandusky victimized young boys.  Rebecca Project for Human Rights has contacted legal counsel and is determining whether criminal and civil complaints may be filed in the United States against those who have allowed accused pedophile Joris Demmink to remain free.  Enablers of pedophilia are just as guilty and morally reprehensible as the pedophiles."

As reported in the leading Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad (AD), members of the Dutch parliament from across party lines - labor, socialists, Christian democrats, and Demmink's Conservative party (VVD – People Party for Freedom and Democracy) – have called for a thorough investigation into the accusations against Demmink.  Separately, Dutch and EU parliamentarian Lucas Hartong from the Party for Freedom (PVV) wants the European Parliament to hold a hearing on Demmink's case.

For more information on the criminal complaints against Dutch Justice Ministry Secretary-General Joris Demmink, please visit www.ArrestDemmink.com .

The Rebecca Project for Human Rights (RPHR) is a transformational organization that advocates for justice, dignity, and reform for vulnerable women and girls in the United States and Africa. For more information, please visit: http://www.rebeccaproject.org/index.php 

SOURCE Rebecca Project for Human Rights