Netherlands: Protect the rights of pedophiles

Wierd Duk

Elsevier

Pedophiles should enjoy the same right of assembly as any other Dutch citizens, said Wierd Duk. Yet in a blow to civil liberties, the Dutch parliament has opened proceedings to ban the pedophile advocacy group Martijn. The group’s purpose, as abhorrent as it is to most of us, is clearly political: It lobbies for the legalization of sexual relations between adults and children. Banning Martijn would curtail the fundamental right of a certain group of citizens to freely assemble, and for that reason alone, we should oppose the effort.

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But there’s a more pragmatic reason, too. An outright ban would “only drive the pedophiles underground.” It’s much more humane and effective to “treat them like addicts” and allow them to discuss their condition openly. In this way, society can offer therapy and even drugs if necessary, and the judicial system will be able to keep an eye on them.

If instead we “criminalize and marginalize them,” they are far more likely to become actual criminals, and pose a danger to children. Of course, anyone who molests a child should be “caught and punished.” But punishing people simply for acknowledging their desires? That’s not the Dutch way.