Coalition split as VVD moves to ban warden religious symbols

The right wing liberal VVD party has submitted a bill to ban street wardens, known as boas, from wearing religious symbols such as headscarves, crosses or kippahs. The bill says such expressions have no place in secular society.

MP Claire Martens-America emphasised in a statement to the Telegraaf that similar rules already apply to the police and the armed forces.

Boas are employed by local councils to enforce rules on issues such as parking, litter and antisocial behaviour, and several cities, including Amsterdam, The Hague and Tilburg, currently allow them to wear religious symbols on duty.

A large majority of MPs have backed a national ban for years, but the coalition agreement between D66, VVD and CDA says nothing about the issue and the three parties are divided.

D66 said it sees no reason for a ban. “A uniform does not make someone neutral. Their conduct does,” a spokesperson told broadcaster NOS. CDA MP Evelien Straatman said her party has not yet taken a position on the bill but supports the principle of the same rules everywhere.

Constitutional objections
The previous cabinet announced a ban in 2024, but the plan was shelved after the Council of State ruled that restricting the constitutional freedom of religion could not be done by government decree and required full legislation approved by both houses of parliament. The VVD bill follows that advice, and will first go to the Council of State itself for review.

Supporters of the current system, including several city councils, argue that visible expressions of faith help make enforcement teams reflect society, and that wardens can do their jobs impartially whatever they wear.

The Netherlands human rights institute said in 2022 that a ban would be “stigmatising and ineffective”, noting that it would mainly affect Muslim women who regard wearing a headscarf as a religious duty.