A Dutch Roma gypsy family deemed ‘antisocial’ and disruptive by the Amsterdam city council was evicted from their home in September 2013. Following a decade of unrest and neighbourhood complaints, the council created a socially isolated place for the Dimitrov family to live.
On the derelict Zeeburger Island on the outskirts of Amsterdam, two shipping containers were placed and converted into a makeshift home. CCTV cameras were placed on the site and monitored by Dutch police. The family’s children were taken into foster care by child protection agencies.
Due to Amsterdam’s reputation of being open and liberal, the story of the Dimitrovs attracted international attention. Many questioned the council’s populist approach to forcibly remove the family and isolate them from society.
In May 2014, the court in Amsterdam ruled that the family would be evicted from the containers as a result of rent arrears. The Dimitrovs were ordered to leave the container home by June 11.
September 3, 2013 - Amsterdam - Stewa sits on his bed a few hours before the eviction. © Pierre Crom
