Netherlands to prosecute highway and railway blockades

The Dutch government, including Justice Minister David van Weel, mayors, the police, and the Public Prosecution Service, has agreed to a unified approach to prosecute individuals who block highways or railways. This policy aims to address dangerous protest tactics, such as intentionally causing traffic jams, which were deemed unacceptable following a fatal accident on the A59 near Heesch. In that incident, two people died when vehicles collided in a traffic jam caused by slow-moving tractors participating in a farmer protest.

The agreement applies to all demonstrators, including climate activists from groups like Extinction Rebellion and farmers represented by the Farmers Defence Force (FDF). While the legal status of protesting on highways remains unchanged—as such actions were already prohibited—the enforcement strategy will be more consistent to prevent ambiguity regarding whether the state tacitly permits these disruptions.

In response, Extinction Rebellion stated they do not intend to stop highway blockades, citing a climate emergency. Meanwhile, the Farmers Defence Force argued that there are currently no sufficient reasons to prosecute farmer protests on highways, referencing rulings from the European Court.