Dutch mayors expand use of emergency measures that allegedly restrict citizens’ rights
Dutch mayors are increasingly implementing emergency measures that reportedly restrict citizens’ rights, such as preventive searches and bans on gatherings, according to NOS data.
In 2012, seven such measures were active in six municipalities; this year, 77 decisions were recorded across 38 municipalities, including extensions.
“These measures have become almost standard,” said Jan Brouwer, law professor at the University of Groningen. “For longer periods, anyone walking in these areas can be searched, even someone taking their dog for a walk.”
Security risk zones have increased tenfold since 2012, while emergency ordinances also rose, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some measures are brief, such as for a football match or demonstration, but security risk zones can last months or years.
In Nissewaard, multiple zones have been extended annually, and Amsterdam recently designated much of its city center a security risk zone due to “weapon-related incidents,” allowing preventive searches without specific suspicion. Vlaardingen Mayor Bert Wijbenga said, “When we conduct preventive searches, we confiscate dozens of weapons.” He added that searches are random and monitored to prevent profiling.
Amnesty International warns of the “normalization of extensive powers,” noting that demonstrators are sometimes asked for ID in these zones, unrelated to weapon control. Joost Keemink, safety advisor at the Association of Mayors, said less intrusive measures could often suffice.
Scaling back these measures is difficult. Brouwer said, “If many weapons are found, authorities argue it is still unsafe, so measures continue. Even when conditions improve, that can be a reason to maintain them.”
NOS analyzed 57,000 municipal documents, filtering to 587 unique emergency ordinances and security risk zones, excluding COVID-19 measures issued by regional authorities.
