News item | 15-04-2025 | 12:19
The number of demonstrations in which demonstrators wear face -covering clothing to prevent detection or making it difficult to enforce public order is increasing. It is important that demonstrating can happen safely and fair. In order to be able to properly monitor the demonstration law for everyone, people who abuse the demonstration law or commit criminal offenses must be tackled. To be able to detect and prosecute these people, they must be identified. In addition, it happens too often that people consciously cover the face to abuse a demonstration for riots. That must stop, the demonstration law is too important for that. Minister Uitermark of the Interior and Kingdom Relations and Minister of Weel of Justice and Security are therefore working on a change in the law for a national ban on face -covering clothing in demonstrations.
The government is working on a national prohibition with an exemption authority for mayors. In this way, mayors can still allow a demonstration with face -covering clothing if there are legitimate reasons for it. Think of protesters who cover their faces as an expression of a belief or for fear of repercussions by a dictatorial regime.
Minister Uitermark: “The demonstration law is a fundamental part of our society. The fact that citizens must be able to pronounce themselves collectively is not for nothing in our constitution. It is precisely to be able to properly protect this right that we prevent people from abusing the demonstration law by breaking other laws. Based on facial, the cabinet looks at possibilities for a prohibition for a prohibition.” ”” ”” ””. ”” ”” ”” ””. ”” ”” ”” ””
Minister Van Weel: “The small group of rioters who abuse demonstrations to be able to riot and destroy should be punished for this. It is not normal to cover your face to be able to get rid of the law unpunished. A ban on face -covering clothing helps with the detection of these legislers.”
Follow-up
A legal prohibition requires an adjustment to the Public Manifestations Act. The WODC is currently investigating the demonstration law. The investigation may show points that could also lead to changes in the law. The results of the investigation are therefore awaited before a legislative process is started. This way the various changes can be made in one go. The results of this study are expected in the summer of 2025.
There has been consultation with mayors, police and the Public Prosecution Service on a national prohibition. The concerns they have about the bill and the feasibility are included in the elaboration.
Reading here The letter to parliament.