The first thing that comes to mind for most people when hearing the words "Dutch Pedophile Party" is probably not a political organization. Nevertheless, the PVND (Brotherly Love, Freedom and Diversity party) is an active, nominally libertarian political party in the Netherlands, whose platform primarily focuses on the individual liberties, and the liberties of children. Specifically, their right to have sex (the PVND advocates lowering the age of consent in Holland from 16 to 12 and eventually abolishing it), use drugs and choose a place of residence. Given the trepidation normally felt by politicos when they're even mentioned on the same newspaper page as the word "pedophile" it's not entirely surprising that the PVND has caused something of a stir. However, despite protestations from groups seeking to ban the party, a Dutch court has ruled that the PVND can exist and will not be subjected to a government ban, despite widespread support for one.

"The freedom of expression, the freedom of assembly and the freedom of association ... should be seen as the foundations of the democratic rule of law and the PNVD is also entitled to these freedoms," the court said in a statement.

The court said these freedoms were not unlimited, but limits to them could only apply to activities that undermined public order and judges could not take lightly a decision to ban a political party.

"It is up to the voter to give a judgment on the arguments of political parties," Judge H. Hofhuis told the court.

Despite my disgust with pedophilia, I'm with the court on this one. Banning political parties can sometimes have the unfortunate side effect of giving what would under normal circumstances be a highly marginalized group a bigger voice, and an aura of matyrdom as they fight against the government for their own existence. These battles are best fought at the court of public opinion in the voting booth. It's hard to imagine many people coming out to support the election of many PVND candidates for parliament given the notoriety that the party has received so far, and we're much more likely to see the party die a death of obscurity when none of their candidates is elected to parliament. So let the group exist, and let the people's opinion be heard when they have a chance to vote against them in a national election. Dragging in the government to police ideas, even horrifically bad ones, just gives them an aura of legitimacy that's best left alone.

boygirlpartay

San Diego, CA

June 2006

JUL 17, 2006 04:04 PM

legionnaire for president.. of the world!

Signon

Austin, TX

June 2005

JUL 17, 2006 04:08 PM

Besides, these people are volunteering for scrutiny. Think of how many kids'll get saved from that alone.

Fatality

SUICIDEGIRL

Connecticut, USA

JUL 17, 2006 04:42 PM

I'm a huge fan of this decision

SicilianSnake

Puyallup, WA

May 2006

JUL 17, 2006 05:01 PM

I hate to say it but thats old news man.

bean

STAFF

Los Angeles, CA

JUL 17, 2006 05:18 PM

SicilianSnake said:
I hate to say it but thats old news man.

Oh?

Dutch court rejects ban of pedophile party
By Emma Thomasson
Reuters
Monday, July 17, 2006; 9:26 AM

I guess, you know, reading the article to figure out what it's actually about (the ban, and the court's striking down of it) is far too much effort for someone who's so right on top of all the latest news.

Darke

Trego, WI

June 2005

JUL 17, 2006 05:22 PM

I'm all for letting pedophiles gather together to meet and come up with political strategy... It's a lot less destructive to firebomb the meeting house rather than individual homes.