MIM: The Muslim/ Turkish origins of the student who shot a teacher and co principle at point blank range in the school cafeteria was played down in the Dutch media even after fellow students rallied in support of the killer holding up signs reading "Murat We Love You" and stating their intent to hold up a large photograph of the killer at the teacher's memorial service.
Even more horrific is the fact that the killer, who was sentenced as an adult, received a term of a mere 5 years, and 'obligatory pyschiatric treatment '. The 'ethno/religous' motivation for the crime, which was obvious when Murat B. stated he intent to kill his teacher as revenge for his perceived 'humiliation' were played down by the media, who together with law enforcement, steadfastly ignored the Turkish/Muslim code of 'machismo' which seems to be at the heart of the crime.
In a tragically ironic twist, Hans van Wierden, the murdered teacher and co principal of the school, was also an active member of a liberal left wing party( D'66) which campaigns for the rights of foreigners in Holland and whose leader, Boris Dittrich, was called " a stooge, and a lackey, (of radical Islamists)" by murdered Dutch film maker Theo van Gogh. http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/89
In a 1999 shooting rampage at a Dutch school by another Turkish student the press barely mentioned the killers ethnicity. These incidents involving Muslims are part of several which have been taking place in Holland in the years before the Van Gogh murder. According to journalist Pamela Hemelrijk, the Telegraaf newspaper reported that two ritual murders of Dutch by Muslims had been committed and letters had been left on the bodies. To date, MIM's research into news reports about the killings has uncovered no mention of either incident in the Dutch press .
. For more on the dangers of refusing to attribute religious and terrorist motives to such killings see Dr.Daniel Pipes latest article : " Denying Terrorism". http://www.militantislammonitor.org/article/id/423
Friday, January 16, 2004
http://www.peaktalk.com/archives/000567.php
DELIBERATE AND DISTASTEFUL DISRESPECT
This week The Netherlands had its first Columbine-like experience. A disgruntled 17-year old pupil walked into the school's cafeteria and shot a teacher at point blank range in the head, apparently for being suspended from school. The teacher died hours later and the country is in a state of shock because, and forgive me my fellow Dutch readers but I have to write this, a large portion of the Dutch population still has that dreamlike notion that "things like this don't happen in The Netherlands". Well, they do and the occurrence of violence and gun ownership in a country with one of the world's most restrictive gun laws is rapidly increasing. I was not planning to write about this, until I heard last night that a number of students rallied near the school with photos and banners to support the killer, who on the day of the murder had turned himself in to police. It reminded me of this desecration, and it didn't take long to figure out that the horrific murder of a teacher, father and respected city councilor had some ethnic undertones:
The killing and Thursday rally are certain to heighten ethnic tensions in the Netherlands. While the Dutch media does not publish the full names of suspects, or for that matter convicted criminals, publications have not been slow to point out the boy in this case is of Turkish extraction. Fear within a large segment of the public about "ethnic crime" and the perceived lack of integration by immigrants are at fever pitch in the Netherlands.
The gruesome murder is disturbing, yet the fact that many youths have rallied to the support of murderer tells us something about the serious level of disconnection between the Dutch and disgruntled immigrant groups who have failed to integrate economically, socially and morally. On the contrary, I have read many interviews with Muslim youths (second generation, born in Holland and fluent in Dutch) who claimed that while on the surface they look as if they had culturally adapted, they remained angry Muslims inside, bitter with their direct environment and depressed about their future economic prospects. A quick tour of Dutch news sites and message boards revealed as much, with comments from angry Muslim youths who felt that the killing was justified given the marginalized position of Muslim immigrants in The Netherlands. In a week where one of the main political parties acknowledged that integration policies had failed miserably, the murder of a teacher and the distasteful disrespect shown thereafter, illustrates that simple integration models don't work and that a complete pan-European effort is required to stem the tide of economic misery and senseless violence. If Europeans don't act themselves other groups will be more than happy to tap into the discontent among Muslim youth.
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http://www.asininity.com/comments/A1389_0_1_0_C/
Yes, indeed. The ability to successfully integrate certain types of immigrants into a society should be carefully weighed and the risks that attach themselves to an unsuccessful assimilation should be foremost in any policy. There is simply so much water under the bridge between certain peoples that the likehood that old grudges, bitterness, and hatred can be overcome is remote. In such a case, the Trojan Horse rides in amongst the indigent population and awaits the proper time to unleash its cargo of hate. In this age of terrorism and mass murder the multiculturalist ideals that willingly open the door for that horse should be seriously challenged on the grounds of national security and common sense. With real time examples to study in countries like Holland and France those challenges should be loud and clear and result in a strong negative on inviting old hatreds to disrupt the present and future of a society
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http://www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/1102571990334.html
School shooting stuns Netherlands
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3394831.stm
By Geraldine Coughlan BBC correspondent at The Hague | A Dutch schoolteacher has died after a student shot him in the head in a school cafeteria.
Students of the secondary school in The Hague said a pupil known as a troublemaker shot an economics teacher.
Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende described the shooting as horrific and promised an investigation.
Tuesday's shooting has sparked a national debate about security in schools, although the country has stringent gun control laws.
Teachers threatened
It is the first fatal shooting in a school in the Netherlands and it has shocked the nation.
The teacher died later and the student surrendered to the police.
The public is concerned at violence against teachers and whether security measures are needed in schools.
Violence involving firearms in the Netherlands is rare.
But the national teachers' union says violence in society includes schools.
Last year half the country's teachers were threatened by students and one in 50 was physically assaulted.
They want more rules, security cameras and police protection where necessary.
The country's first school shooting was five years ago, when a student wounded five people.
He was sentenced to five years in prison.
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January 2004
AMSTERDAM — Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende has publicly criticised the group of students who held a demonstration in support of one of their peers who is accused of gunning down a teacher in a school canteen in The Hague earlier this week.
Balkenende made his comments after students and staff in Terra College in The Hague gathered Friday for a ceremony of remembrance for teacher Hans van Wieren, 49, who was shot dead by a student on Tuesday 13 January.
"There are young people who have no feeling for a respectful society. They see nothing in this (the shooting) that was unacceptable," Balkenende said.
The prime minister said the victim and thousands of other teachers like him deserved respect for dedicating themselves to educating young people.
About 30 students provoked outrage throughout the country on Thursday when they gathered outside Terra College and expressed support for the murder suspect, 17-year-old Murat D., who was scheduled to appear in court on Friday afternoon.
Some of his friends placed a banner with the words "Murat, we love you" on a car window and they banged on cars to signify their support for him.
One youth told the media: "Van Wieren stopped and confronted Murat in every break between classes. Murat tried everything to solve the problem between them, but everyone has a limit".
The prime minister also lashed out at depictions of violence in the media.
Speaking during his weekly press conference, Balkenende said that the media and makers of computer games should stop and think before featuring violent scenes that helped violent acts become more acceptable in society.
Earlier, ministers observed a minute's silence at the beginning of Friday's Cabinet meeting in memory of the teacher.
Deputy Prime Minister Thom de Graaf and Education Minister Maria van der Hoeven are to attend the cremation of the teacher's remains on Monday.
Van der Hoeven has said that school authorities have been guilty of paying too little attention to the problem of assaults on teachers by students.
Physical attacks on teachers are believed to be a growing problem in the Netherlands, but Tuesday's incident was the first time a student allegedly shot and killed a teacher.
Meanwhile, the police have confirmed that three students at a school in Amsterdam-West have been arrested for allegedly sending a threatening letter to the school.
The letter, which reportedly threatened teachers would be killed, contained a bullet.
The authorities have not ruled out making more arrests.
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=19&story_id=3714
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donderdag 9 december 2004 uur.
Translation by Beila Rabinowitz director MIM
'That man is going to die, Murat said '
From our correspondent
Amsterdam -The 17 year old student Murat had earlier threatened to kill the teacher Hans van Wieren at the Terra College in The Hague. Murat felt that Van Wieren had insulted him. "That man is going to die . He has insulted me too much".
Tungay Cinbuluk, a Turkish journalist stated this in the television show 'Around Ten' on Thursday evening. Cinbuluk said he had spoken to friends of Murat. The teacher was not popular with some students because he was strict.
He said that Wieran's approach was"extremely out of proportion". 'Murat was sent out of the class by him several times'. 'He found that humiliating'. Murat was taunted by his friends, according to Cinbuluk. They laughed at him and called him a wimp. That was too much'. 'He felt that his honor was at stake.'
On Thursday evening Murat was taken in front of an investigating judge at court in The Hague. What charges are to be brought against the student are still not known.
The Terra College is holding a memorial meeting for Van Wierden tonight. The educational organisations have requested that a minute of silence be observed after 11 o'clock. Van Wierden will be cremated on Monday.
The Terra College was open on Monday night for students and teachers to discuss the event. Outside a group rallied in support of Murat. Twenty to 30 students pasted a placard to a car window with the text ' we love you Murat'. The police sent the youth away. They announced that they planned to display a large photo of Murat during the memorial service.
Rasul Kaya, a friend of Murat who had accompanied him to the police station, disapproved of the action. " We don't want to get support in this way"
Thursday it was revealed that at another branch of Terra College a teacher had been threatened with a knife by the mother of one of the students. The teacher complained to The Parool (newspaper) about how the incident had been handled. "This woman's son is still sitting in my class. I find that I cannot react or behave in a normal way with him".
Van Wieren is to be cremated in the crematorium van Elkenberg in Rijswijk. Everyone can pay their last respects according to a brother in law. The family has requested that the audio visual media stay away from the crematorium.
In the Statehall of the Dutch Congress Center a memorial meeting will be held for educators in The Hague. Five elementary schools in Haarlem have called for all schools to be closed.
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MIM: Original article
http://www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/1074148623288.html
vrijdag 16 januari 2004 uur. |
'Die man gaat eraan, zei Murat' |
Van onze verslaggever
|
AMSTERDAM - De 17-jarige scholier Murat heeft al eerder gedreigd dat hij docent Hans van Wieren van het Terra College in Den Haag zou doden. Murat voelde zich door Van Wieren vernederd. Tegen vrienden zou Murat hebben gezegd: 'Die man gaat eraan. Hij heeft mij nu te zeer beledigd.' |
Dit zei Tungay Cinibulak, een Turkse journalist donderdagavond in het tv-programma Rondom Tien. Volgens Cinibulak, die zegt met vrienden van Murat te hebben gesproken, was de docent niet populair onder sommige leerlingen omdat hij streng was.
Hij noemde Van Wierens aanpak 'buitenproportioneel'. 'Murat is een aantal keren door hem de klas uit gestuurd. Dat vond hij vernederend.' Murat werd geplaagd door zijn vrienden, aldus Cinibulka. 'Ze lachten hem uit en noemden hem watje. Dat kwam hard aan. Hij voelde zich in zijn eer aangetast.'
Murat wordt vandaag voorgeleid aan de onderzoeksrechter van de Haagse rechtbank. Wat de verdachte scholier precies ten laste wordt gelegd, is onbekend.
Het Terra College houdt vandaag een herdenkingsbijeenkomst voor Van Wieren. De onderwijsorganisaties hebben alle scholen opgeroepen vandaag om elf uur één minuut stilte in acht te nemen. Van Wieren wordt maandag gecremeerd.
Het Terra College was donderdagochtend open voor leraren en leerlingen om te praten over de gebeurtenissen. Buiten betuigde een groep leerlingen steun aan Murat. Twintig tot dertig jongeren plakten een papier op een autoraam met de tekst 'we love you Murat'. De politie stuurde de jongeren weg. Die kondigden aan dat ze tijdens de herdenking vandaag een grote foto van Murat zullen meenemen.
Resul Kaya, een vriend van de familie die Murat dinsdag naar het politiebureau begeleidde, keurt de actie af. Kaya riep in Rondom Tien Murats vrienden op zich waardig te gedragen. 'Op die manier willen we geen steun.'
Donderdag werd bekend dat in september vorig jaar op een van de andere vestigingen van het Terra College een docent met een mes is bedreigd door een moeder van een leerling. De leraar beklaagt zich in Het Parool over de afhandeling. 'De zoon van die vrouw zit nog steeds bij mij in de klas. Ik vind dat ik niet normaal tegen hem kan optreden.'
Van Wieren wordt maandag om half elf gecremeerd in crematorium Eikelenburg in Rijswijk. Iedereen kan Van Wieren de laatste eer bewijzen, aldus een zwager. De familie heeft de audiovisuele media verzocht weg te blijven bij het crematorium.
In de Statenhal van Nederlands Congres Centrum wordt dinsdag een herdenkingsbijeenkomst gehouden voor het Haagse onderwijs. Vijf basisscholen uit Haarlem hebben opgeroepen maandag alle scholen dicht te houden.
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Strict teacher with a heart for students
Mister Van Wieren was strong and caring . A caring teacher with a glowing service record. Active for 10 years in municipal politics, father of two daughters. His death comes as a blow to Zoetemeer, where he lived, and to The Hague where he taught. Hans van Wieren (49) was someone 'who everyone would want as a neighbor'. (council member Willem Bos)' who always did his best' ( council member Robin Paalvast) 'who had a big heart for his students'.(Dirk Hooimeijer of the Foundation for Health in Escamp) 'who always listened' (D- 66 fraction chairman Flip Huisman, 'who was concerned about everything' (neighbor B. Luitjes)..."
"...The Lower House member Hilbrand Nawijn, ex minister and previously also active in Zoetemeer politics, 'A solid, good politician. Quiet. Not one to initiate but a good campaigner for D'66..."
donderdag 15 januari 2004 uur. |
Strenge onderwijsman met hart voor leerlingen |
Toine Heijmans http://www.volkskrant.nl/binnenland/1074060339745.html |
Meester Van Wieren was streng en zorgzaam. Een zorgzame onderwijsman met een mooie staat van dienst, tien jaar actief in de gemeentepolitiek , vader van twee dochters. Zijn dood komt als een klap in Zoetermeer, waar hij woonde, en in Den Haag, waar hij lesgaf. Hans M.H. van Wieren (49) was iemand 'die iedereen als buurman zou willen hebben' (raadslid Willem Bos), 'die altijd zijn best deed' (raadslid Robin Paalvast), 'die een enorm hart voor de leerlingen had' (Dick Hooimeijer van de Stichting Welzijn Escamp), 'die altijd luisterde' (D66-fractievoorzitter Flip Huisman), 'bezorgd in alles' (buurman B. Luitjes). |
Bemoeide zich met overgave, of het nu zijn buren betrof, zijn school of zijn stad, maar bleef wel op de achtergrond. 'Een fantastisch, compleet mens', zegt Luitjes, die sinds zeven jaar naast de familie woont. 'Maar altijd rustig en achter de schermen. '
Van Wieren was leraar economie en teamleider van de bovenbouw van het vmbo, op het Terra College in Den Haag. Hij bekommerde zich er om de veiligheid. 'Een tijd geleden', zegt collega-raadslid Paalvast, 'had hij het over detectiepoortjes. Het zou hem niet verbazen als die er binnen een paar jaar zouden staan, op zijn eigen school. Die opmerking krijgt nu een andere lading.'
Zijn school mocht geen vesting worden. Camera's, pasjes, vooruit: daarmee kreeg je in elk geval weer een gevoel van veiligheid terug. 'Je kunt kinderen niet door detectiepoortjes sturen', vertelde hij Dick Hooimeijer. 'Dat doen ze maar in Amerika, niet hier.'
Van Wieren was ervan overtuigd dat zijn school meer moest zijn dan een leerfabriek. 'Leerlingen moeten de school als eigen gaan beschouwen', vertelde hij het onderwijsblad Uitleg, bijna twee jaar geleden, 'als een plek waar zij trots op zijn en waar ze voor willen zorgen. Uiteindelijk gaat het er natuurlijk om dat we erin slagen, in en om de school een geborgen sfeer te creëren.'
Idem zijn stad, Zoetermeer. Tien jaar terug wordt hij er assistent-raadslid voor D66, nog geen zes jaar later zit hij in de raad. Van Wierens optreden in de gemeenteraad wordt beschreven als scherp, maar zorgzaam.
Het Tweede-Kamerlid Hilbrand Nawijn, ex-minister en voorheen ook actief in de Zoetermeerse politiek: 'Een gedegen, goed politicus. Rustig. Niet direct vooroplopend maar wel een goed voorvechter van D66.'
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Translation by Beila Rabinowitz director MIM
Court sentences Murat as an Adult
Amsterdam- The court in The Hague decided on a sanction with according to the penal code for adults and sentenced Murat D.(17) , to 5 years in jail and obligatory pyschiatric treatment . The 'extreme gravity' of the crime the murder of the co principal and teacher Hans Van Wierden of Terra College in The Hague played an important role in this decision.
Also it was feared that treatment in a youth facility would be too short. The placement in such an institution is for a maximum term of six years.
Pychiatrists who examined the former student , advised the court to impose a sentence based on laws for youth. This was because they believe that Murat B. will have less chance of 'becoming hardened', in a youth facility then in an adult one. They also stated that long term pyschiatric treatment is a necessity.
"... Huseyin S., the youth who procured the weapon for Murat B., received a year in jail. |
He was aquitted of complicity to murder.
The youth who hid the weapon for Murat B. after the murder received 31 days in juvenile detention (the duration of his pre arrest), and a provisional prison term of 4 months.
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