Extinction rebellion files preliminary injunction against area bans issued by Schiphol

Climate activist group Extinction Rebellion (XR) is filing a preliminary injunction against Schiphol after 37 climate activists were issued long-term access bans to parts of the airport. The activists feel that this is a harsh sanction that puts the right to protest under pressure. The group protested against KLM’s Flying Blue program at Schiphol in early March.

Attorney Otto Volgenant believes that Schiphol is acting as judge and jury by issuing the ban. “The demonstration at Schiphol was entirely peaceful,” he said. “As punishment, XR demonstrators are no longer allowed to fly via Schiphol. Schiphol is not allowed to do that.” He considers it especially “excessive” that the ban has been imposed for five or even ten years.

Area bans are usually issued by a mayor, court, or prosecutor, the lawyer said. “There are very strict conditions regarding this. Schiphol clearly wants to intimidate XR demonstrators to prevent future protests at the airport. Such a deterrent measure against peaceful demonstrators is unacceptable.”

XR activists protested at the departure hall 2 and the KLM lounges behind the safety controls in March. They were protesting against KLM’s Flying Blue program, which lets people save up points the more they fly. They can then exchange these points for discounts or upgrades. XR feels that KLM is rewarding an “exorbitant amount of flying. That this is happening during a climate crisis is outrageous.”

Schiphol stated that the activists tried to gain unauthorized access to the secure areas of Schiphol. “This is punishable by law and a severe violation of our house rules,” a spokesperson said to explain the access bans.

The airline said that the right to demonstrate is a fundamental democratic right and said that they did not decide to issue access bans lightly. The public areas, like the shopping or catering area before the customs checks, will remain accessible for the activists with an area ban.