On Thursday, March 13, 2025, 11:30 AM (CET), the Court of Appeals of The Hague will issue a judgment in the proceedings brought by Ms. Scheele-Gertsen and Bureau Clara Wichmann against the Dutch State for the unlawful separation of unwed mothers from their children in the period 1956-1984. The court of first instance previously ruled that the State had not acted unlawfully. Now the court of appeals will rule over the case again.
The ruling can be attended in person or by following >>this live stream <<.
Background
Between 1956 and 1984, thousands of unwed mothers were separated from their children. The children were mostly adopted. The women were given incomplete and incorrect information about their rights. It was instilled in them that it would be better for their child if they gave it up. Opportunities that existed to support them in raising their child themselves were withheld from them. They were also portrayed, contrary to the truth, as women who neither wanted nor could raise their child. This was also the case with Mrs. Scheele-Gertsen. In 1968 she gave birth to a healthy son whom she wanted to raise herself. Because she was not married at the time, however, she was discriminated against as an unwed mother. Under pressure from the Child Protection Council, among others, she had to give her son up for adoption.
According to the law in force at the time, the Dutch state was obliged to intervene in the relationship between mother and child only in exceptional cases. However, the Child Protection Council used its powers to separate Mrs. Scheele-Gertsen from her son, including pressuring her by telling her that it was in her son's best interest to be separated from her. However, his mother's divorce was not in his best interest. As a result, he had to spend almost 3 years in a children's home, where he became seriously ill. Thus, the state's actions harmed the interests of both Mrs. Scheel-Gertsen and the mother, as well as the interests of her son.
Thousands of other women have suffered the same fate, living a life of guilt, shame and fear. Bureau Clara Wichmann represents these women and demands that their suffering be recognized by the court.
Mrs. Scheele-Gertsen and Bureau Clara Wichmann are represented in the proceedings by lawyer Lisa-Marie Komp in cooperation with Stibbe Advocaten.
[Photo: Trudy Scheele-Gertsen | Source: privacte collection TSG]
Previously
- Appeal in case concerning forced separation of mothers and children
- Judgment in the case about forced separation of mothers and children on 26 January 2022
- New date for judgement in proceedings against State for separating mothers and children
- Dutch State sued over forced separation mothers and children between 1956-1984
- Mother who lost child against her will holds Dutch State liable