Paint cannon plan for protests faces strong criticism

A Dutch minister wants to test water cannons filled with blue dye for demonstrations that get out of hand.

Justice minister David van Weel says the dye could help identify people involved in serious disorder after a protest. The idea is that people sprayed with blue water could be traced later.

The proposal has drawn strong criticism from human rights groups and protest-rights experts.

Amnesty International says the measure would not clearly separate rioters from peaceful demonstrators. A water cannon covers an area, not only one person. That means people exercising their right to protest could also be marked.

The organisation also calls the idea humiliating. Being visibly marked after a protest can stigmatise people, even if they did not commit an offence.

Public order versus protest rights

A police scientist involved in research into possible tools for riot police has also questioned the idea. One concern is whether the method would work at all. People could change clothes or avoid being traced.

The debate comes at a time when the right to demonstrate is already under pressure in Dutch politics. The cabinet wants mayors to be able to act faster when demonstrations become violent or seriously disrupt public order.

The right to protest is protected in the Netherlands. But public authorities can place limits when safety, health or public order are at risk.

That balance is difficult. Police need tools to stop violence and protect emergency workers. But protest rights must not be weakened through measures that treat all demonstrators as suspects.

Uncertain next step

The paint cannon idea is sensitive because similar methods have been used in other countries with controversial protest policing records. That makes the symbolism important, not only the practical effect.

Van Weel says the tool would only be used when other orders have not worked. Critics say that still does not solve the problem of innocent people being marked.

It is not yet clear whether the pilot will actually happen. The next debate will likely focus on proportionality: is blue dye a useful tool against serious disorder, or does it create a chilling effect on peaceful protest?