2024-02-10T06:15:38+00:00
A-
A
A+
/ Dries van Agt, the Dutch Christian Democratic Prime Minister from 1977 to 1982, died by euthanasia, “hand in hand” with his wife, according to the human rights organization he founded. They were both 93 years old.
Van Agt’s death was reported by the Rights Forum, which said the couple would be buried in a private ceremony in the eastern city of Nijmegen.
“He died alongside his beloved wife Eugenie, with whom he lived for more than 70 years and whom he always referred to as ‘my girl,'” the non-profit forum said in a statement.
Both had been in fragile health for some time, and in 2019, Van Agt suffered a brain hemorrhage while giving a speech at a ceremony to support the memory of Palestinians, from which he never fully recovered.
Van Agt became increasingly progressive after leaving the political scene, and then left his party in 2017 over ideological differences over Israel and the Palestinians.
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, who referred to Van Agt as his “great-grandfather in office”, paid tribute to the former politician.
“With his unique and ornate language, clear convictions and impressive presentation, Dries van Agt has given substance and colour to Dutch politics at a time of polarisation and party renewal,” he said in a statement.
He was also praised by the Dutch royal family, with King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and Princess Beatrix saying in a joint statement: “Van Aglt took over at a turbulent time and was able to inspire many with his amazing personality and elegant style.”
Van Agt was known for his pompous language and his passion for cycling, which he had to give up in 2019 after a fall.
After his visit to Israel in 1999, he became increasingly vocal about his support for the Palestinian people, referring to his visit as a “transformation.”
In 2009, he founded the Rights Forum, which advocates for “a fair and sustainable Dutch and European policy on the Palestinian-Israeli issue.”
In 2017, Dries van Agt made his famous statement that Israel is “the most dangerous country in the Middle East” because it possesses a number of nuclear bombs.