Netherlands: CFWIJ welcomes the settlement between the Dutch state and Ans Boersma

This statement is updated on May 26, 2021.

May 18, 2021 - In a finalized settlement, the Dutch state will pay damages to journalist and CFWIJ fellow Ans Boersma. Ans was unjustifiably deported from Turkey on January 17, 2019, after Dutch intelligence reportedly shared information with Turkish authorities alleging the journalist had links to a terrorist organization. Ans was working as an economy editor for Het Financieele Dagblad when police raided her home on January 16, 2019. She was detained by the Turkish police for her alleged affiliation with a terrorist organization and consequently deported the very next day. Ans decided to file a lawsuit against Dutch authorities on February 15, 2019, and demanded compensation for her wrongful dismissal. The journalist filed a liability claim against her unlawful deportation in September 2019. Ans has long awaited a response from the state prosecution, and her lawyer Tom de Boer stated there was no further contact. To avoid lengthy legal proceedings, the Dutch state decided to settle with the journalist. CFWIJ welcomes this decision, though we demand Ans’ acquittal in the cases filed against her in Turkey and the Netherlands.

The arranged settlement with the Dutch authorities will not affect the criminal case proceedings against Ans Boersma. Her hearing is scheduled for next Thursday in a Rotterdam court. The journalist was accused of forging visa papers for her Syrian partner back in 2014. Ans stated that she broke up with him in 2015 and had no reason to report him as she did not know of any wrongdoing. Now, she is looking forward to Thursday's hearing and hopes the court will drop the case, citing insufficient evidence. The verdict is likely to be announced two weeks after Thursday's proceedings.

Speaking to CFWIJ, Ans said, "I am glad that we have reached a settlement. For the past two years I have been living the consequences of my wrongful deportation from Turkey and the loss of my job as a correspondent. For me this is a positive step in the process and I hope to be able to get back to work as a foreign journalist soon. Unfortunately, this is still not possible in Turkey."

Ans is a CFWIJ member who lost her job after the rumors of her involvement with a terrorist group were circulated.  Het Financieel Dagblad (FD) newspaper terminated her employment on January 19, 2019, claiming the journalist was not truthful and forthcoming with them. The journalist was also banned from traveling back to Turkey for at least six years. Ans was unable to attend the first hearing of her case at Istanbul’s First Administrative Court concerning the lawsuit she filed in February 2019. In her absence, the journalist was absolved of all terrorism-related charges. She has challenged her deportation, and the case remains ongoing in Turkey's Constitutional Court. Turkish authorities supposedly deported Ans based on a document that has yet to be revealed. After the detailed investigation, Turkish authorities could not find anything against the journalist. 

CFWIJ reached out Ans Boersma for the latest updates on the trial hearing which occurred on Thursday, May 20. She shared the details of Thursday's hearing as forwarded by her lawyer. “Thursday 20th May, the trial against journalist Ans Boersma began in the Rotterdam District Court. Boersma worked as a journalist in Turkey, where she was deported in 2019 after the Dutch intelligence services made enquiries about her with their Turkish counterparts. This was in connection with an investigation into a terrorist organisation. Boersma got into serious trouble because of the careless investigation and lost her job, among other things. Boersma is negotiating with the Dutch State about appropriate compensation. In the criminal case, Boersma is accused of forgery: she would have provided false information and documents with a (rejected) visa application of her ex-partner in 2014. Boersma denies all accusations. The verdict is due on 3 June.”

The Coalition For Women In Journalism has reported on the events concerning its member Ans Boersma in detail and has created a timeline to follow the updates. From the time of her deportation from Turkey, we have thoroughly reported the developments of her case both in the Netherlands and in Turkey. While CFWIJ welcomes the settlement decision and considers it a victory for Ans, we demand her acquittal. We also urge the Turkish authorities to lift the imposed travel ban against the journalist. Ans must be allowed to continue her work freely, without legal prosecution.