VVD pushes for statutory ban on face coverings at protests; D66 resists

The VVD wants a ban on face-covering clothing at demonstrations written into law as soon as possible, Trouw reports. Coalition party D66, civil servants, and mayors are opposed.

Since, in principle, the parliamentary majority supports a face-covering clothing ban, the VVD could possibly get its way. If she could, VVD’s MP Mlaire Matens-America would add it to a bill with adjustments to the right to demonstrate, set to be sent to parliament early next year.

“The question underlying such a ban for us is, what do we consider normal?” Martens-America told Trouw. ”I do not consider it normal in a state under the rule of law that you can cover your face, pull bricks out of the ground, and throw them at the police.”

Coalition partner D66 disagrees. D66 MP Joost Sneller mentioned that mayors can already ban face-covering clothing if they have a reason to. “I often hear the VVD say it is important that the police and mayors make their own assessment. Apparently that does not apply here,” Sneller said. “The fact that mayors are already telling us ‘it is already possible when necessary’ is not an unimportant argument when rights are being restricted.”

“The right to demonstrate is based on agreements we all made a long time ago,” Martens-America argued. “But the world has changed, so it is also due for modernization."

The debate on the topic has dragged on for years. Foort van Oosten, who was the former justice minister in the Schoof Cabinet, submitted a bill to ban face-covering clothes at demonstrations. The bill died due to practical objections.