Nelson Maatman

Nelson Maatman

Nelson Maatman is a young, second-wave MAP activist from the Netherlands, and chair of the PNVD.

He is currently under investigation for supposed links with the banned political organization, Vereniging MARTIJN, which ceased operation before he became active as a campaigner. He has been known to have left the Netherlands at various points, and this has sometimes characterized as "fleeing" the country in light of his legal struggles. In 2022, it was revealed that he was seeking asylum in Mexico, following the inconclusive results of the above-mentioned trial in the Netherlands. He has since been arrested in Mexico.

Background

Maatman had become infamous after seeking to make an appearance at Amsterdam’s annual Pride march in the summer of 2019. He devised a social experiment whereby he attempted to bring back the tradition of advocating for minor and MAP rights at Pride events. He was barred, and has since appealed to human rights organizations. Maatman also took part in a viral television interview, in which he made provocative statements about sexual relationships between adults and minors. Soon-after this interview, he was arrested under statutes on illegal images, but no solid evidence has thus far been indicated.

2021 Prosecution

In March 2021, Marthijn Uittenbogaard announced that he, Maatman, Norbert de Jonge and Ad van den Berg were being prosecuted for allegedly participating in a criminal organization. The evidence offered by the prosecution was spurious, alleging that Twitter comments and the maintenance of an academic website constituted the continuation of an organization deemed 'criminal' under a highly controversial Dutch law. On 12 March, 2022, a Dutch court sentenced both De Jonge and Uittenbogaard to prison for continuing Martijn's political activities. Maatman is to be assigned new judges because of a mistake by the district court. He then sought asylum in Mexico, hiding at an address in Mexico City for 3-4 months.

Dramatic arrest in Mexico, and deportation

In June, 2022, 27 year old Maatman was finally captured at his address in Mexico City, following tip-offs from the Netherlands-based Free a Girl Foundation. News reports erroneously claimed that he was a suspected "child predator" who founded the PNVD (in fact set up in 2006, when he was 11 years old). The Daily Mail and Newsweek also suggested Maatman, at that point broke, and known only as an activist, was thought to be the leader of a far-reaching Youth Erotica ring - echoing the claims of Mexican authorities. Police claimed to have found cocaine, a gun and large amounts of Youth Erotica on Maatman, the latter of which might be somewhat questionable given he was already trying to evade capture. Mexican Law Enforcement have a known history of planting evidence.

Maatman is likely to be deported to The Netherlands, without charges being made.

External Links

• Tom O'Carroll - With some information in English - source used in this article.