Nov 10, 2024
March 30 Movement Files Criminal Complaint Against Dutch Journalist Wierd Duk for Incitement, Discrimination, and Defamation
Date: November 10, 2024
Location: Rotterdam, Netherlands
The March 30 Movement, represented by its chairman Dyab Abou Jahjah and lawyer Mr. Haroon Raza, has formally filed a criminal complaint with the Public Prosecution Office in Amsterdam against Dutch journalist Wierd Duk. This complaint accuses Mr. Duk of incitement to hatred, discrimination, and insult under Dutch Penal Code Articles 137d, 131, and 266.
The complaint arises from statements Duk made on November 9, 2024, on the platform X (formerly Twitter), where he labeled Muslim lawyers as part of a so-called “fifth column” – an inflammatory term historically used to incite suspicion and hostility against perceived internal enemies. By targeting Muslim professionals in this way, Duk's comments imply that merely practicing law as a Muslim could be viewed as a betrayal of Dutch society.
This portrayal not only vilifies Muslim lawyers but also jeopardizes their position in the Dutch legal system, fostering a divisive climate that undermines trust in their professional integrity. Mr. Raza highlights that the use of “fifth column” reflects xenophobic ideologies that have historically marginalized and discriminated against communities by casting them as internal threats, as seen with Japanese-Americans in World War II and Muslims in Europe post-9/11.
While the March 30 Movement does not actively endorse hate speech laws, it underscores that as long as such laws are part of the Dutch legal framework, they should be applied consistently and without discrimination. “The rule of law demands impartial enforcement. Hate speech laws cannot be selectively applied,” the March 30 Movement states, arguing that Duk’s remarks fall within the scope of recent legal interpretations by the Dutch Supreme Court (November 5, 2024, ECLI:NL:HR:2024:1573) that set clear standards for incitement and discrimination.
The March 30 Movement calls upon the Public Prosecution Office to investigate Duk’s statements promptly, emphasizing the importance of holding public figures accountable for rhetoric that targets and marginalizes entire communities. The organization believes that all Dutch citizens, regardless of their faith or background, deserve protection under the law from discriminatory and inciteful language.
For further information, please contact:
March 30 Movement
Email: info@30-3.org
Website: https://30-3.org/
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