AIJA has signed the International statement of solidarity, alongside 34 organisations including Lawyers for Lawyers, in connection to the merciless killing of Dutch colleague Derk Wiersum, a well-respected lawyer and deputy judge whom was shot in broad daylight.
Derk was shot outside his house in Amsterdam in the early morning of 18 September 2019. Derk was representing a crown witness in the so-called Marengo-trial, a high-profile criminal case against members of an organisation accused of several murders and attempted murders in the last couple of years. Although the events are still being investigated, it is assumed and highly likely that the death of Mr. Wiersum is related to his work as a lawyer.
AIJA and its fellow signatories are shocked about the killing of Mr. Wiersum, and we remain concerned about the impact of this tragic event on the legal profession and the rule of law. AIJA welcomes the prompt and public condemnation of this crime and the immediate measures taken by the Dutch authorities to initiate an investigation into this abhorrent attack.
To learn more, read the full version of the statement here.
*photo: Derk Wiersum, photo from https://wiersum.org