{"id":445712,"date":"2026-06-04T19:30:22","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T09:30:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=71544"},"modified":"2026-06-04T19:30:22","modified_gmt":"2026-06-04T09:30:22","slug":"rail-blockades-push-the-netherlands-to-tighten-protest-law","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=445712","title":{"rendered":"Rail blockades push the Netherlands to tighten protest law"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Dutch government is considering implementing a series of measures to curb the negative impact of various kinds of disruptive protests. A joint letter to parliament by the Ministries of Justice and Internal Affairs mentions the recent rail freight blockades as one of the reasons for the plan.<\/strong>
\n<\/span>In simple terms, the Netherlands is looking to simplify the procedure to remove protestors from their location by mayoral decision. The Hague also wants to explore the introduction of an emergency mechanism that would allow mayors to \u201cintervene more adequately\u201d in the case of serious disruptions to the public order.<\/p>\n

Currently, Dutch cities need to perform a \u201clegal balancing act\u201d when handling protests, writes publication De Telegraaf. The situation has made it difficult to intervene when demonstrations disturb the public order. In the past years for example, Dutch activists have blockaded highways and universities, and put bystanders in danger with tractors.<\/p>\n

The role of rail freight<\/h2>\n

The recent port railway blockades in Rotterdam<\/a> have been most impactful for the rail freight sector. Combined transport association UIRR and the Dutch rail freight association RailGood appealed to the infrastructure ministry last week to take appropriate actions in response to the long-lasting and economically damaging blockades.<\/p>\n

Some measures are evidently in the works. Besides an expansion of legal competences for mayors, the justice and internal affairs ministries also want to help companies that have incurred losses to hold the protestors accountable. They specifically refer to the rail freight blockades in this context: \u201cRoad and rail blockades by protesters are a growing source of frustration and can have far-reaching social and financial consequences, for example when they occur on freight rail lines.\u201d<\/p>\n

The ministries offered to help local mayors, public prosecutors and police to intervene in the protests. They also want to assist affected parties, such as infrastructure manager ProRail, passenger carrier NS and rail freight operators to hold demonstrators accountable for the incurred losses. However, the ministries say that they do not see a need to introduce harsher or new penalties. That would not help to regulate these protests better, they argue.<\/p>\n

A good step forward or not enough?<\/h2>\n

Whereas DB Cargo sees the proposed measures as a good step forward, the RailGood is not yet satisfied with the existing plans. It told publication SpoorPro that “it is a start, but probably not enough.”<\/p>\n

“Why doesn\u2019t the government simply ban the blocking of vital infrastructure explicitly in the law on the right to demonstrate?”, wonders RailGood head Hans-Willem Vroon. As far as he is concerned, unauthorised intruders face a fine “of, say, at least 5,000 euros”.<\/p>\n