It was a meeting of the youth organization of the controversial regime in the African country. Among others, a close advisor to the president of Eritrea would speak. Opponents demonstrated at the convention center the day before the conference. The police had to intervene. It became clear that a large group of demonstrators would come to the conference later. The convention center was difficult to secure and the presence of diplomats and representatives of the Eritrean government made the security situation even more complicated.
Council of State: Mayor was not allowed to prohibit Eritreans conference
Two years ago, the mayor of Veldhoven was not allowed to ban a conference of Eritrean youth with an emergency order. He should have gathered more information to assess whether the situation would be manageable, the Council of State says.
The court and the objections committee of the municipality have come to the same conclusion earlier.
Confidant of the gov.
At the meeting, the closest adviser and confidant would speak to dictator Afewerki of Eritrea. They wanted to encourage young Eritreans who fled their country to commit themselves to their mother country.
The Council of State understands that the mayor was afraid that the situation would get out of hand, but he should not have forbidden the conference with an emergency order. Due to the constitutional right to freedom of assembly, meetings that create resistance in society must also be protected.
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"In this case, the mayor has not been sufficiently informed about the possibilities of continuing the conference with extra security measures, for example by involving more police officers," concludes the Council of State.
The Council of State is the highest administrative court in the Netherlands and decides in cases involving the government.
Former mayor Mikkers van Veldhoven is now mayor of Den Bosch.