Dutch government bans police from wearing religious symbols and clothing
LONDON – Dutch police officers have been barred from wearing religious clothing or symbols while on duty.
This includes the hijab, Christian crosses, and Jewish kippas.
The decision follows calls by right-wing groups for police uniforms to be neutral.
Dutch Justice Minister Dilan Yesilgoz said the regulation brings clarity on the neutrality of the uniform.
He said visible expressions of religion or belief are not appropriate for officers in uniform.
Yesilgoz stressed that the police remain open to Muslims and people of other faiths.
He said the same rules apply to all officers.
In 2017, Amsterdam Police Commissioner Pieter-Jaap Aalbersberg advocated lifting the restrictions to promote multiculturalism.
As an example, he cited the United Kingdom, where officers can wear the hijab while on duty.
Sarah Izat, a former Rotterdam police officer, campaigned for the right to wear a hijab along with her uniform, challenging the dress code.
Critics of the Dutch dress code include Johan van Renswoude, a police commissioner responsible for combating racism, and the Dutch Commission for Human Rights.
The move to include Dutch people with an immigrant background has sparked controversy and is seen as a “culture war” by far-right groups.
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