MPs are to hold an emergency debate into the case of an 18-year-old mentally handicapped youth who has been tied to the wall in his room at an institution in Ermelo for the past three years.



Film of the youth, known as Brandon, was shown on tv current affairs show Uitgesproken on Tuesday night. His mother claims he has not been outside for three years.

According to the Telegraaf, the boy’s room is empty and basic and he is attached to the wall by a 1.5 metre belt.

The institution, ‘s Heeren Loo, issued a statement saying Brandon has ‘unusually complicated problems’, which involve using ‘structural measures to limit movement’. There is no alternative, the clinic said.

Health inspectors agree with this position, saying Brandon’s treatment is carried out ‘responsibly and with care’. The youth’s movements are limited out of concern for his own and other people’s safety.

‘I cannot believe this is the only way to treat this youth. You just can’t tie someone up for three years,’ CDA MP Sabine Uitslag told the paper.

It is not yet clear when the parliamentary debate will be held.