Public Academy lecture 'The right to demonstrate' 22 May 2025

Thousands of demonstrations take place in the Netherlands every year. These demonstrations raise many questions about the right to demonstrate. This topic is the subject of the Public Academy for Jurisprudence on 22 May. During this evening, we will look through a legal lens at the right to demonstrate.

The speakers

Berend Roorda, associate professor of demonstration law at the Faculty of Law of the University of Groningen, will discuss the concept of demonstration law in more detail during the Public Academy. What does this right entail? What are demonstrators allowed and not allowed to do? And what can and must the mayor and the police do during demonstrations?

The other speakers are court lawyers Harold Hulst and Eva Nijbroek, both affiliated with the District Court of Northern Netherlands. Using practical examples, they will explain how judges weigh the fundamental right to demonstrate against the interests of public order and safety. How does such a case end up in court? And what factors does the judge take into account when reaching a decision?

Sign up

You can attend this Public Academy free of charge. However, registration is required and can be done on the Dagblad van het Noorden site using the link below.

The Public Academy for Jurisprudence

Through lectures aimed at the general public, the Publieksacademie voor de Rechtspraak (Public Academy for Jurisprudence) seeks to satisfy this immense interest. Judges, public prosecutors, professors and other experts discuss legal topics that affect many people. The lectures are suitable for a wide audience and do not require knowledge of the law.

The Public Academy is a collaboration between the Court of the Northern Netherlands, the Faculty of Law at the University of Groningen, the Northern Netherlands Public Prosecution Service and the Dagblad van het Noorden newspaper.