Princen to visit his former home country<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): H.J.C. Princen, the Dutch-born vocal human
\nrights campaigner, has finally been granted a visa to visit his
\nformer home country after a fourth attempt.<\/p>\n
The Dutch embassy in Jakarta has given Princen, who deserted
\nfrom the Dutch army in the 1940s, permission to visit the
\nNetherlands.<\/p>\n
\"I will be flying on Dec. 22 to see my children and
\ngrandchildren,\" he told The Jakarta Post. \"They gave me the visa
\non the condition that I don't make trouble, and don't draw the
\nattention of the press.\"<\/p>\n
\"This is, in a way, a small victory for me,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Princen's request for a visa has been denied three times by
\nthe Dutch government. They said that some of his fellow soldiers
\nin the Netherlands hadn't forgiven him for deserting them and
\nthat his life might be in danger.<\/p>\n
He last visited the Netherlands in 1984.<\/p>\n
Princen came to Indonesia in 1948 as a member of the Dutch
\nArmy which was sent to put down the nationalist rebellion. He
\ncrossed over to join the independence fight and later became an
\nIndonesian citizen.<\/p>\n
Ironically, his profession as a human rights lawyer has often
\nconflicted with the Indonesian government. He was jailed by
\nSukarno, Indonesia's first president, and has often earned the
\nwrath of the government of President Soeharto. (emb)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/princen-to-visit-his-former-home-country-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}