to Del.icio.us
Holly Ann Collins, U.S. Refugee In The Netherlands
(photo: missingchildren.com)
There are reports in the Dutch papers today that an American woman called Holly Ann Collins received (political?) asylum in the Netherlands as a refugee from the United States, fleeing an allegedly abusive husband.
It's impossible to say whether she really was abused or not (Dutch newspapers say she had it well documented). It's also impossible to say whether she really received asylum or not. Political asylum seems extremely unlikely.
But there was apparently a court ruling that allowed her some kind of special status here. It's notable that for some reason Dutch Justice allowed her to remain without reporting her presence to the FBI, which was looking for her on kidnapping charges. Her kids are called Zachary and Jennifer, her ex-husband is called Mark. They're from Minnesota.
Here's translated from the NRC Handelsblad newspaper:
"Holly Collins and her family did get a residency permit. A decision by the Hague District Court (arrondissementsrechtbank) of October 3, 1996 reads:
'In case the subjective fear of having to return to the United States ... would lead to psychic damage to the health, there can be said to be pressing reasons of humanitarian nature.' A report by a psychiatrist confirmed that fear. The Immigration Service therefore wrote on Aug. 15 1997 that there is "reason to permit (Collins) and her children residency in the Netherlands on humanitarian grounds."
The case would seem irrelevant, since the kids are now grown. However, I believe there is no statute of limitations on kidnapping.
To me, the most interesting part of this story is: did Dutch Justice know this person was here and not relay that information to their U.S. counterparts? We can see why they might do that on compassionate grounds, but in terms of the working relationship between law enforcement of two countries _ not good.
There are some videos on YouTube supposedly made by the children, I'm not linking directly to them because I can't get them to load (not to mention they may be libelous).
Articles in Dutch:
Telegraaf Article(contains link to YouTube video).
NRC Handelsblad Article (with recent photo)
5 reacties:
Can I claim asylum since I fled the American President (aka SATAN)?? LOL Seriously, since we left America in 2001 it's just gone totally in the crapper!
Hello,
I am from The Netherlands and I am sorry to read that you did not translate the whole article from the papers.
The other part of the article says why they flewd into The Netherland.
The father was really agressive against the mother but also against the young children.
I would advise you to see the youtube videos about it, because they will explain a lot (it includes photo's and parts of things thats are said in court).
The last thing I want to add; The mother gave them a good life in The Netherlands, they were able to go to university, and they have a good home over here.
@Anonymous
The reason I didn't include all the things about what the family says about why they came to the Netherlands is that, without proof, some of the things that they say are libelous.
(libelous = 'smadelijk').
More generally, it's unfair to tell just one half of a story.
Now that the kids are grown, obviously the pressure is off the issues of custody and alleged abuse in this family.
To me the remaining questions are
1) Did Dutch justice not inform U.S. justice about a fugitive they knew was living here?
and
2) Were Americans really granted "asylum" in the Netherlands, or is that just a good headline?
If you have any factual information about that, I'd love to hear it. Nederlands kan ook!
Best,
Toby
May 17, 20
Although this post is very long, it contains VERIFIABLE facts...oh yes, there are 2 sides to every coin! Those who think they know her, welll...
Sometimes people make judgments based purely on emotions rather than an objective understanding of all the facts, especially when they don’t have all the facts and especially in an emotionally charged and tragic issue. One would do well to remember that most situations have two sides, if not more.
Holly Collins has a very long legal history, most of which is a matter of public record in the United States including some of the events of her divorce and custody case including denying her parent visitation with the children. As part of the investigation Holly’s mother was interviewed, this caused additional concerns. Her mother testified emphatically that she loves her daughter very much, but desperately believed she needed help. Note; Holly’s allegation of abused by her mother weren’t made until after the custody case. Up until this point the grandparents apparently had a close and loving relationship with the children. None of Holly’s numerous siblings have ever claimed abuse.
Here are some of the facts. The allegation of possible abuse of her children was initiated by a hospital in Massachusetts which notified Child Protective Services as required by law of suspicious circumstances and was directed at her. This was because she brought her children in the emergency room 32 times in a one year period, an extremely high number.
At the end of the custody trial the State had solicited the opinion of 12 different mental health sources, including the psychiatrist she had hired. The consensus was a diagnosis of Holly of Munchausen by Proxy. In her defense Holly had hired a psychiatrist who presented favorable testimony based on his interviews of Holly. Testimony was also given that the children had an aversive reaction to visitation with Holly, not their father. It was at this time and based on this information that Mark Collins, and his wife, decided to pursue supervised visitation. Given the children’s ages at the time (4 – 7) and the subsequent 15 years of living solely with Holly’s fear, their memories of the situation are not unusual. Three of the 7 criteria used in this diagnosis are a constant belief they are a victim (note they truly believe this), compulsive, obsessive lying (even when unnecessary, and a very convincing ability to manipulate. Has Holly told this to those who claim to know her well; perhaps and perhaps not.
Given the condensed nature of this forum I’ll limit my elaboration of additional facts here. As I said the records are a matter of public record for those interested in investigating.
This article raises several yes or no questions. One, Did Holly in fact receive asylum from the Netherland? How is it that only the local Dutch police were aware of the FBI warrants when it she claims the Netherlands’ government granted asylum? Would they not consult the United States? A question here remains, was the “a psychiatrist report” used in this decision the same report Holly used in her custody trial? This is either yes or no.
Did U.S. Representative Steny Hoyer in fact invite Holly to speak before the United States Congress? It’s either true or not. Representative Hoyer’s office is easily reached at US country code + (202) 225-3121. Liz Cutter, Hennepin County, Minnesota, is firm she will not drop the federal kidnapping charges contrary to Holly’s repeated claims this is currently happening. Is there a conflict between Rep. Hoyer and a district attorney? The laws in the US require an investigation by the Department of Justice before Congress can act. If indeed this situation is true, it’s completely a matter of public record. Holly’s lawyer in the US, Alan Rosenfeld, who was once barred from practicing law in Vermont, states the kidnapping charges are “moot” as these children are now in their 20, Liz Cutter disagrees. She can be reached at US country code + 612 348 6951.
Next, does the Netherlands allow an unmarried, non-citizen to adopt children? She and her companion are reported not to be living together, is he also abusive? Had they married have been ensured the protection she so desperately was seeking. Is there a custody or visitation agreement? They have 5 children together, if Holly plans to move back to the States does she bring her them all with her? Will her now estranged partner agree to let them go, go with them, or will she simply leave with them also?
One article states Holly fled with 3 children but only 2 are reported to be abused. It’s documented this 3rd child is from a separate relationship. Who is this child’s father and did he agree to have such a long distance relationship for 14 years, is he also in the Netherlands, or did she just take him also? Is this man or that for that matter her ex-husband, really dominant men? Perhaps Holly only chooses men who abuse her as one person claims, or perhaps this statement suggests sympathy for her as a victim.
Unfortunately this comes down to he said/she said. It is a tragic fact that many children are abused by their fathers and desperately need protect, and in some cases mothers truly are forced to take such heroic, drastic actions. But it’s also a fact that sometimes there is such extreme hatred between two parents, both wanting custody of their children, and involves mental health issues, that one will go to any length to prevent this.
Whether someone believes and supports her or not, are these not valid questions? Holly has a wealth of documentation, suggesting a travesty of injustice, but is it all the documentation?
Indeed this is an exceedingly and disturbing situation and as such deserves a full investigation facts of all the fact, both sides of the coin.
@Tasha _ thanks for your commments. When I have time I'll dig a little bit deeper about facts on the Dutch side. Unfortunately I doubt if the court case will be in archive online records, which only began in 1999 I believe. So may have to go to The Hague ...
Post a Comment