On the Appalling Police Violence Against a Heavily Pregnant Woman

The NCPN condemns the appalling police violence that occurred on May 19 during an arrest at an refugee center in Zeist, where a heavily pregnant woman was violently thrown to the floor and subsequently dragged across it by her hair. This incident is not an isolated event, but is indicative of both increasing police violence and the dehumanization of refugees and migrants.

The footage of this mistreatment, which has been widely shared in recent days, has provoked widespread disgust and outrage. The heavily pregnant woman—who has since given birth prematurely to a baby that was fortunately born healthy—appears in no way to pose a threat to others or to herself. Her husband, who reacts to this brutal violence, is subsequently severely injured by the police and a police dog, the most forceful means available by the police short of the utilization of firearms.

The actions of these officers and the precise circumstances should be investigated thoroughly and independently, to determine which individual and institutional responsibilities there are and so that appropriate disciplinary measures and criminal prosecutions can occur.
The police's cowardly response to this incident, expressing in advance its “confidence in the expertise” of the officers when that is precisely what should be investigated, has also provoked considerable outrage.

This incident is not an isolated case. Excessive police violence in refugee centers, as well as more generally against refugees, migrants, and people with a migration background, is not uncommon. It takes place within a political climate in which xenophobic, racist, and fascist views are increasingly given space, and in which refugees and migrants are systematically dehumanized by being portrayed as a threat.

Moreover, this incident fits into a broader trend of increasing police violence and intimidation, which in recent years has also been visible during peaceful protests, demonstrations, and even poster or leaflet campaigns.
The NCPN calls upon the working class to show solidarity and not accept this violence. Well-meaning police personnel ought also to stand up and speak about such violence and not normalize it.

Political Bureau of the NCPN