Minister Grapperhaus of Justice says in a first reaction that he is studying the decision, but the lifting of the curfew cannot be postponed by lodging an appeal. According to the ONGOING curfew must be lifted immediately. This was determined by the court in The Hague in a case brought by the Virus Truth foundation. The measure was taken on the wrong grounds, the judge ruled. It has now been announced that the Dutch State will challenge the suspension of the curfew by means of a so-called urgent appeal. 

curfew remains in effect for the time being 

The judge was then asked to suspend the decision pending an appeal. On Tuesday, the court of appeal in The Hague has provisionally suspended the judgment of the judge in summary proceedings about its lifting. The court did so at the request of the Dutch government, which has appealed against the verdict.

"We had not hoped for it anymore, because we have lost cases before and therefore gave up the faith. But this case is so obvious and the court has now recognized that."

Consultations are currently being held with the state attorney on the consequences of the verdict and whether the cabinet will appeal. It is not yet known what the consequences of the ruling will be for the fines imposed for violations of the curfew.

a big boost

The curfew was imposed on the basis of an emergency law stating that a cabinet can introduce rules in an emergency without consultation with the House of Representatives and the Senate. The lawsuit was filed by the Virus Waarheid foundation, which is led by Willem Engel and Jeroen Pols. They argued that the "restrictions on fundamental rights enshrined in the constitution and international treaties cannot simply be pushed aside".

Also read: Curfew remains a political problem in election time

Grapperhaus
Ferdinand Grapperhaus
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