Extinction Rebellion sues Dutch police and state over officers’ identification

Extinction Rebellion has sued the Dutch police and the state, seeking to require officers at demonstrations to wear clear identification. The group says that without it, people may struggle to file effective complaints about alleged excessive police force.

The lawsuit follows an earlier case in which a judge said no one could be prosecuted over a broken wrist suffered by an arrested XR demonstrator because the officers involved could not be identified.

Justice Minister David van Weel said in June that he did not intend to require officers to wear visible identification. He cited concerns that officers accused of using force could be pursued, doxxed or harassed at home.

XR says the absence of identification conflicts with rulings by the European Court of Human Rights. The case will put that argument against the government’s stated concerns about officers’ safety.