Police iftars raise concerns about officer neutrality. Peter van Duijvenvoorde MP submits parliamentary questions

FVD Member of Parliament Peter van Duijvenvoorde has submitted written questions to the Minister of Justice and Security following reports and video footage indicating that the police have been involved in iftar gatherings at various locations. In some cases, these events appear to have been organised in or near police stations. Videos circulating on social media show, among other things, the Islamic call to prayer (azan) being recited during such a gathering while police officers in uniform are present.

Van Duijvenvoorde is asking the minister to clarify the nature and scale of these gatherings and the role played by the police. He wants to know, among other things, whether such iftar events are organised by or with the cooperation of the police, where they take place, and whether police capacity or other public resources are being used. He also asks whether there are guidelines within the police regarding the organisation or facilitation of religious activities in police buildings.How do such activities relate to the principle that government institutions, and the police in particular, should maintain a neutral position with regard to religion? Is there actually support within the police organisation for these kinds of events, and how are officers who choose not to participate in religious activities treated? The minister is requested to inform Parliament further on these matters.

Written questions from the member Van Duijvenvoorde (Forum for Democracy) to the Minister of Justice and Security regarding iftar gatherings organised by the police:

• Have you taken note of reports and videos circulating on social media indicating that iftar gatherings have been organised or facilitated by the police at various locations, including in or near police stations, where the Islamic call to prayer (azan) was also heard?
• Is it correct that iftar gatherings have taken place at or near multiple police stations organised or facilitated by or with the cooperation of the police? If so, which locations, dates and occasions were involved?
• Is it correct that in the case shown in the video an iftar gathering took place where the azan was recited in the presence of police officers in uniform? If so, who was responsible for organising it and on what grounds was the decision made to hold this gathering?
• Do you consider it appropriate for explicit religious expressions or rituals belonging to a specific faith to take place in or near police stations, given that the police are expected to be a neutral representative of the rule of law?
• Are there guidelines or protocols within the police for organising or facilitating religious gatherings, such as iftar meals, prayer moments or other religious activities, in police buildings or during police-related events? If so, can you share these with Parliament?
• Are police capacity, working hours, facilities or other public resources used for such gatherings? If so, can you provide insight into the nature and scale of this use?
• Are there also examples of other religious traditions—such as Christian, Jewish or other religious gatherings or rituals—being organised or facilitated in a comparable manner by or with the cooperation of the police in police buildings?
• How does facilitating explicitly religious activities align, in your view, with the required neutrality of the police as a government institution?
• Do you share the concern that facilitating explicitly religious activities by the police may create the impression that the police identify with a specific religion, potentially undermining public trust in their neutrality and impartiality? Please explain your answer.
• Do you consider it desirable for police officers in uniform to be present at or participate in religious rituals or calls, such as the recitation of the azan, in the context of an event organised by or with the cooperation of the police?
• Are you willing to consider whether additional guidelines are needed to ensure that police buildings and police activities retain a neutral, non-religious character?
• Is it known to what extent there is support among police officers for organising or facilitating religious gatherings, such as iftar events, in or near police stations? If so, what are the findings?
• How does the police organisation deal with officers who wish to remain neutral in matters of belief and therefore do not want to participate in religious gatherings or rituals, such as iftar events or attending religious calls? Is refusal to participate fully accepted both formally and informally?
• Are there known signals, reports or complaints within the police from officers who have felt pressured, uncomfortable or troubled by the organisation of religious gatherings in or near police stations?
• Are there internal discussions, tensions, frustrations or forms of resistance among police staff regarding the organisation or facilitation of religious gatherings, such as iftar events, by or with the cooperation of the police?