The senate has refused to back legislation that would give the justice minister the power to ban organisations deemed to be “undermining society”, saying there are too many risks that the law could be abused.

The legislation, drafted in 2018, is primarily aimed at banning criminal motorbike gangs and was passed by the lower house of parliament in 2020.

However, critics now say they fear the legislation could be used by ministers to ban any organisation they dislike for political reasons and urged senators to reject the plan, and just four senate parties voted in favour.

The GroenLinks–PvdA alliance, which helped draw up the legislation, has withdrawn its support because of the risk of politically motivated acts. In particular, the party referred to immigration minister Marjolein Faber’s refusal to sign off on awards for five volunteers because their work for refugee organisations conflicted with her policies.

ChristenUnie has also changed its position, arguing that the courts have already banned criminal motorbike gangs – seven since 2018 – and the legislation has become irrelevant.

The pro-countryside BBB, the largest group in the senate, also voted against, as did the far-right PVV. The militant farmers’ organisation Farmers Defence Force, which has been behind a number of violent demonstrations, said earlier the legislation was an infringement of the right to freedom of association.