A complaint against Dutch border police officers for holding two people at Schiphol Airport over a “Free Palestine” sign in their car 

As the genocide in Gaza livestreams, a group of Dutch border police officers decided to hold two people for a “Free Palestine” sign in their car at Schiphol Airport. But they are fighting back. 
 
On 28 May 2025, Hakima took her neighbour Hichem to the airport for the latter’s holiday. In the Kiss & Ride zone, they were stopped by multiple border police officers (officers of the Koninklijke Marechaussee), who questioned both Hakima and Hichem about the sign Hakima had in her car. Their IDs were seized, the officers registered the contents of the car, and one of them reported this to a colleague over the phone. All in all, they were held for almost an hour. 
 
The officers responsible for this offence also refused to identify, in violation of their legal obligation. Only due to Hakima’s persistence, one officer’s service number was given. 
 
Hakima: “Speak out for justice without fear of repression” 
On behalf of Hakima, the European Legal Support Center (ELSC) and lawyer Willem Jebbink have filed a complaint against the officers involved. The complaint comprises five subparts: unlawful seizure of IDs, violation of Hakima’s freedom of expression, unlawful inspection and/or examination of Hakima’s car, unlawful processing of personal data, and violation of the identification requirement police officers must comply with by law. 
 
The border police have acknowledged the receipt of the complaint. The date of a hearing of the complaints commission has not been set. 
 
Hakima stated: “This case is not just about me but about the freedom of every human to speak out for justice without fear of repression. I still have the sign, and it is even more visible in my car. And it will remain there until Palestine is free, even if I were to be held for it every single time.” 
 
Willem Jebbink, from Jebbink Soeteman Advocaten, said: “It is disturbing that the display of a widespread expression led to an intimidating, stigmatising and intrusive border police action. We filed a complaint because we believe the action violated my client’s freedom of expression. My client believes a treatment like she experienced should not be inflicted on anyone in the future.” 
 
Juul Seesing, from the ELSC, said: “Everyone who has contributed to Israel’s genocide in Gaza and/or to the repression of those who show resistance against it must be held accountable. This includes the border police officers who chose to violate the right to freedom of expression of two anti-genocide voices instead of taking action against their government’s deep complicity in the genocide.” 
 
 
Have you faced or witnessed repression for standing with Palestine? Report your experiences to the ELSC and/or request legal support through our intake form at www.elsc.support/intake/.