State Secretary: action will be taken if Ye makes criminal remarks on stage

State Secretary for Justice Claudia van Bruggen has said that authorities will intervene if rap musician Ye makes any criminal statements during his concerts in Arnhem. Speaking during the weekly parliamentary question session, she stressed that the Dutch government does not currently have legal grounds to refuse the artist entry to the country. The announcement comes amid controversy over the planned shows, following earlier antisemitic remarks made by the rapper.

Member of Parliament Annabel Nanninga of JA21 wanted explicit confirmation from the State Secretary that intervention would follow immediately if antisemitic remarks were made during the concerts. “The plug will be pulled. The lights go out, and people are sent home if that man starts saying things that are prohibited under Dutch law,” she said.

Van Bruggen confirmed that authorities will intervene if criminal offences occur during the concerts. “Absolutely. That is what we have agreed. The moment it is established that criminal acts are being committed, action will be taken,” she said.

A spokesperson for Van Bruggen clarified that responsibility for any intervention rests with local authorities, including the mayor and the Public Prosecution Service (OM). The mayor is specifically in charge of maintaining public order in and around the concert venue.

Arnhem mayor Ahmed Marcouch has previously stated that any decision to prosecute would lie with the OM if Ye were to make criminal statements during a performance in the Netherlands. The concerts, scheduled for Friday June 6 and Monday June 8, mark the artist’s return to the stage under his current name.

Concerts by Ye in countries including Poland and France have been cancelled. The rap musician has faced controversy for releasing a track titled “Heil Hitler” and for selling T-shirts featuring a swastika through his online store.

In the Netherlands, a parliamentary majority has called for an entry ban, but the Cabinet says there is no legal basis for such a measure. It is sticking to that position despite calls from the Central Jewish Council and several members of parliament to reconsider.