Area ban for Museumplein imposed wrongly, corona protesters to receive 300 euros compensation each
Thirty-two protesters arrested during a 2021 COVID-19 demonstration at Amsterdam's Museumplein have been awarded 300 euros each after authorities admitted that the subsequent area bans imposed on them were unlawful. The court and the Public Prosecutor's Office concluded that the restrictions were not justified, providing the individuals with compensation for the infringement of their right to protest.
In March 2021, thirty-two protesters were arrested during a demonstration against government COVID-19 policies at the Museumplein in Amsterdam. Following these arrests, Mayor Femke Halsema imposed a ten-week area ban on the participants, prohibiting them from visiting the square and surrounding areas during weekends. The protesters challenged this restriction in court, arguing it infringed upon their fundamental right to demonstrate.
A judge initially ruled in favor of eight protesters in April 2023, determining there was insufficient evidence of a risk of reoffending to justify such a ban. Following this legal scrutiny, the Amsterdam Public Prosecutor's Office acknowledged that the area bans should not have been issued at all. Consequently, the thirty-two individuals represented by attorney Jebbink will receive 300 euros each in compensation, along with 121 euros to cover their legal expenses. The attorney noted that while the compensation is a positive step, his clients believe it does not fully account for the loss of their right to demonstrate for an entire month.
Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
