New Investigation into Hostage Crisis in Bovensmilde 1977 Brings Hope for Victims

For the first time, the problems faced by the victims of the hostile primary school crisis in Bovensmilde in 1977 will be examined extensively. Cor Udding, who was 11 years old at the time, has been fighting for more recognition for the victims in recent years. “Finally a big step towards recognition, even if this should have happened 47 years ago,” he said. RTV Drenthe.

Four young people from South Moluccan entered De Meenthe primary school in Bovensmilde on May 23, 1977. 105 children and five teachers were held for days. After four days, the children and one teacher were released.

The other teachers were released on June 11, after the army was deployed and military vehicles were sent to the school. That was the same day that the marines stopped a train hijacking at De Punt, near Bovensmilde.

“It wasn’t just the hostile situation that lasted for days that had a big impact on the young children, but also the time afterwards,” says Udding, now 58. He remembers that he is safe in the city due to riots and arson.

The school also had military security and there were tanks on every corner for a year. “All of that had such an impact. I think the time after that was just as amazing as the hosting situation itself.”

He believes that there has not been enough care for the victims, he went to politics several times and went to talks with Prime Minister Rutte. “Very unfairly, some victims were told by care providers that they were too young at the time to do anything about it. And there was no discussion about it within families,” he said. saying.

According to Udding, the events and the lack of aftercare have affected the lives of many victims. “The trauma didn’t bother me for a long time, until my freedom was suddenly curtailed at corona time with the introduction of the curfew. I then began to suffer from memories of that time and also began to dream about it. “

He decided to contact the other hosts. “There are many stories of divorce, social and social problems, both mental and physical, within families and post-traumatic situations,” he said. He did not want to say how big the a group that is now reported to him. “But there are a lot of them and they will keep coming.”

He believes that the aforementioned study is “a first step towards rehabilitation”. The investigation was announced last week by Minister Weerwind (Legal Protection) and is part of a larger project on victims of the Ministry of Justice and Security. The study will start soon and will be carried out by the National Psychotrauma Center ARQ.

“Let me put it this way: this is an important and good step and confirmation that we have not been forgotten. But I am also careful, the cork has not yet come off the champagne bottle,” said Udding about the investigation.

“I am happy with the word ‘careful’ in Weerwind’s text, because that is also very important. The conversations with the victims must be the basis, but before you talk about good conversations, you have to gain trust the beginning. That becomes the foundation. after these decades of nothing happened.”