First for some background, which was posted earlier <38fe3380.6895646@news.a2000.nl>, In the Netherlands ex-staff member Ineke Franssen (2.5yrs staff - >14yrs member) wanted to inspect/destroy her files after leaving, which is specifically allowed under current law. Scientology thought differently and bluntly denied her that after several attempts to make an appointment.

After DSA Rijnvis played 'hide and seek' she told Ineke they had destroyed "2 ethic files, 4 pc files, 1 temporary pc file and 1 correspondents file."

More here in Dutch http://www.b-org.demon.nl/scn/nl/privacy/inhoud.html

http://www.ad.nl/actueel/ZZZ1A2Z9T8C.html Algemeen Dagblad
29.5.2000 Woman demands to view files
Ex-member drags Scientology to court.

Amsterdam - A former adherent of the Scientology Church Amsterdam tries to get at the church-community via judge.

It's the first time in The Netherlands that a suit is started against Scientology.

Ineke Franssen (33) demands to see her files. Opponents of Scientology view the case as a major test case that must show to which extend the judge can rap them over the knuckles. Earlier Scientology went itself to a judge because secret documents were published via the Internet.

The attorney of Franssen, mr. L. Vedder, has filed a petition in which she asks the court to consider the case.

Scientology says the files were destroyed. Franssen has no piece of mind, that indeed that is what happened, because she wasn't allowed to be there. She says: "A part will be destroyed all right, but not everything. I have absolutely no guarantee."

Scientology collects world wide very personal data about adherents. In therapeutical sessions participants are asked the most intimate questions, which they have to answer truthfully.

Anyone who lies, is out. On the basis of these answers files are made, to which third parties can add information too.

Franssen: "They have all kind of methods to turn you inside out. They build a relation of trust with you, which makes you reveal a lot of things in the beginning. If you stop opening up, the tone changes. I have been shouted at. Or the psychological pressures is mounted. Threatening with punishment is also done, or coercive measures are applied. And because they already know so much about you, you're very vulnerable and easy to manipulate."

It is not allowed to see your own file. That is a violation of the Law on Personal Registrations. The Scientology Church Amsterdam is also not registered at the Registration Chambre, the official authority that monitors the collection of personal data. Franssen has been affiliated to Scientology for 14 years. The denomination has collected an enormous amount of data about her in that period of time.

According to people who know Scientology well, there are examples where 'apostates' were put under pressure on the basis of their files.

"Sometimes on the internet ex-members run into information about themselves that can only come from their files. People are afraid to openly criticize Scientology, because they know that all kind of painful stories from their past can come in the open", says writer Karin Spaink, who fights on the internet against Scientology's practices. According to Spaink, the case of Franssen is important: "Of course you never know for sure if your files are completely destroyed.

But if there is a judicial verdict which demands this, the file can never be used again. That can be an important weapon."

Mike (thanks for the help with translating!) -- Scientology & Dianetics
Tax-exempt child abuse and neglect?
http://www.b-org.demon.nl/scn/deaths/childabuse.html

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