Skip to main content
Home

Main navigation

  • Top stories
  • Health
  • Crime
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Weird
  • 1-1-2
Image
Hugo de Jonge at the EPP Summit in Brussels, May 2019
Hugo de Jonge at the EPP Summit in Brussels, May 2019 - Credit: European People's Party / Wikimedia Commons - License: CC-BY
Health
Crime
Politics
Coronavirus
Binnenhof
security measure
The Hague
harassment
protester
Hugo de Jonge
Ministry of Public Health Welfare and Sports
Rijksvoorlichtingsdienst
police
public prosecutor
DKDB
Monday, March 1, 2021 - 09:43
Share this:
  • facebook
  • twitter
  • linkedin
  • whatsapp
  • reddit

Much more security on Binnenhof since start of Covid crisis: Health Minister

Security measures in and around the Binnenhof in The Hague - the political center of the Netherlands where parliament, the Senate and many Ministries are located - increased considerably since the start of the coronavirus crisis, Minister Hugo de Jonge of Public Health confirmed to Hart van Nederland. This is because Ministers are harassed by protesters on a daily basis, he said.

"It happens every day and more and more," De Jonge said. For months, protesters have been following him with cameras, making videos while confronting him, mostly about the coronavirus measures. "Criticism is of course part of it, but intimidation, swearing, and stalker-like behavior are not."

Sources told Hart van Nederland that royal and diplomatic security service DKDB consults with De Jonge every time he leaves his office. The security service screens the present protesters and then decides whether De Jonge can cross the square on foot with security guards, or has to be driven by car.

The Hague police and prosecutor, and government information service RVD would not give the broadcaster details about the security measures. Neither would De Jonge, only saying that they have been "tightened up considerably." 

"I can't always go out on the street, but I won't let it affect my work," De Jonge said. "It's such a shame," he said, speaking about the "Dutch tradition" of being able to encounter cabinet members on the street. "You want to be approachable as a politician, and because of this intimidating behavior, security measures must be stepped up. As a result, you can move less and less normally through The Hague."

Follow us:

Latest stories

  • Feyenoord falls to AS Roma in Conference League final
  • Sharp increase in data leaks through cyberattacks
  • Dutch monkeypox cases double to 12, says RIVM
  • Worst evening rush hour this year with 1,100 kilometers of traffic jams
  • Supporters in Rotterdam, Tirana ready to watch Feyenoord final
  • Cooperation with Chinese universities could be a risk: Education Min.

Top stories

  • Worst evening rush hour this year with 1,100 kilometers of traffic jams
  • Amsterdam pushes liveability for all; 7,500 new homes, car-free areas, regulated MDMA
  • Army won't help out at Schiphol yet
  • Albanian prince criticizes Feyenoord fans; 12 Dutch arrested in Tirana
  • Summer strikes at Schiphol if workload remains high: trade union
  • Schiphol crowds expected to continue; Airport boss leaves World Economic Forum early

© 2012-2022, NL Times, All rights reserved.

Footer menu

  • Privacy
  • Contact
  • Partner content