#1 Dutch sailor girl put under care
Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 8:55 pm
BBC
Legally, it's very clear that the Dutch Government does have the right do this. At least to the view of the Dutch courts. Morally and Otherwise, I don't think I agree. Don't get me wrong, the Dutch Government is clearly acting with the best of intentations, but the road to hell is paved with those. The best of intentations is not enough to justify or give you a right to act.
What she wants to do is dangerous. She will have to contend with storms, supply problems, and predators. But this is a dangerous situation she has clearly thought about and has trained to meet. While I'm not sure I would let a 13 year old daughter do so, but then I am not a father. The two people who would best know her capabilities for this have decided to let her go.
Another thing to consider is whether or not it's a Government's place to make this decision for any of it's citizens. I say it's not. That as human beings we have the right to make decisions, even ones that place us in danger.
In short, this is what she wants and I don't think a government has the right to tell her no.
This is a bit of an interesting case for me. See, she has been temporary been legally removed from her parents custody (I'm not sure about physically) not because of any abuse, but because her parents won't stop her from trying to sail around the world.A Dutch court has put a 13-year-old girl under state care for two months, stalling her bid to become the youngest person to sail solo around the world.
The decision by three Utrecht judges means Laura Dekker's parents, who support her plans, temporarily lose the right to make decisions about her.
A child psychologist will now assess her capacity to undertake the voyage.
Miss Dekker says she is happy with the ruling, but she will try to convince the authorities to let her set sail.
"I haven't had the same upbringing as so many other children," she told the Dutch television programme, NOS Jeugdjournaal, in her only comments after the ruling.
"Sailing has always played an important role in my upbringing and that's why I want to do this now," she added.
Back to school
The seasoned sailor, who lives with her father Dick Dekker, said she would return to classes when school reopens on Monday after the summer break.
I want simply to learn about the world and to live freely
Laura Dekker
Dreams scuppered for sailor girl
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"My classmates may be surprised to see me back at school, but I'm confident that I will set sail one day. I know I can do it," she told the Jeugdjournaal programme.
Mr Dekker had earlier had a request for her to miss two years of school turned down.
Miss Dekker had planned to spend about two years aboard her 26ft (8m) boat, Guppy, to break the record set this week by a 17-year-old UK boy.
Mike Perham tackled 50ft waves, gale force winds and technical problems during the 28,000 mile (45,000km) circumnavigation, which took him nine months.
Addressing concerns that she would be alone for long periods on her round-the-world trip, she told Jeugdjournaal: "I will always be surrounded by other people who are on a journey like mine. I really think I will meet these people and make friends easily."
'Live freely'
The Dutch Child Protection Agency had requested Miss Dekker be made a ward of court because, it said, it was "irresponsible for such a young girl to make a two-year solo trip around the world".
Child Protection spokesman Richard Bakker on his concerns
The judges agreed, ruling Miss Dekker would face mental and physical risks if she were allowed to go ahead with her planned record attempt.
Miss Dekker was put under the guardianship of the Utrecht Youth Care agency and the case will be reviewed after two months.
Peter de Lange, the Dekkers' lawyer, described the case as "exceptional".
"The crucial question is whether it is wrong for parents to allow their child to indulge in her passion," he told Radio Netherlands.
Caroline Vink, a senior adviser on youth protection in the Netherlands, said the case needed to be "looked into".
"We're talking about a 13-year-old," she told the BBC. "You can also question whether she's able to take this decision for herself, and whether the parents are making the decision in the best interests of Laura."
Miss Dekker was reportedly born on a yacht off the coast of New Zealand during a seven-year world trip.
She had a yacht by the age of six and began sailing solo when she was 10.
"Since I was 10 years old, I've known that I would like to sail around the world," she had earlier told Dutch television.
"I want simply to learn about the world and to live freely."
Legally, it's very clear that the Dutch Government does have the right do this. At least to the view of the Dutch courts. Morally and Otherwise, I don't think I agree. Don't get me wrong, the Dutch Government is clearly acting with the best of intentations, but the road to hell is paved with those. The best of intentations is not enough to justify or give you a right to act.
What she wants to do is dangerous. She will have to contend with storms, supply problems, and predators. But this is a dangerous situation she has clearly thought about and has trained to meet. While I'm not sure I would let a 13 year old daughter do so, but then I am not a father. The two people who would best know her capabilities for this have decided to let her go.
Another thing to consider is whether or not it's a Government's place to make this decision for any of it's citizens. I say it's not. That as human beings we have the right to make decisions, even ones that place us in danger.
In short, this is what she wants and I don't think a government has the right to tell her no.