Police Use Batons to Clear Anti-Refugee Housing Protest in The Hague

2026-02-21 dutchnews

The Hague, 21 February 2026
Riot police deployed dogs and batons to disperse demonstrators protesting a controversial housing plan for 750 asylum seekers, status holders, and homeless people in The Hague’s Vogelwijk district. Some protesters made Nazi salutes during the unregistered demonstration on 20 February 2026, prompting authorities to declare the area a safety risk zone.

Escalating Tensions Force Police Intervention

The Mobile Unit riot police conducted charges and used batons when dozens of remaining demonstrators refused to leave after receiving orders to disperse [1][5]. Police with dogs monitored the demonstration, and a water cannon was present to support officers during the intervention [4]. Several arrests were made as authorities cleared the street, with officers subsequently pursuing remaining troublemakers into the neighbourhood [5]. The municipality had designated the area around Sportlaan as a safety risk zone, allowing police to conduct preventative searches throughout the district [1][4].

Controversial Housing Plan Sparks Community Division

The planned housing facility will accommodate approximately 750 temporary residents in a former hospital building at Sportlaan, including about 440 asylum seekers, a maximum of 45 status holders, and 80 places for winter shelter for homeless people [2]. The remaining capacity is designated for homeless families, young people leaving care, students, and young starters, with residents expected to stay for five years before the site is converted to senior citizen housing [2]. As of 20 February 2026, the location already serves as winter shelter for 80 homeless people, with additional groups scheduled to arrive in phases from the second quarter of 2026 [4][5]. Wethouder Mariëlle Vavier emphasised the building’s massive 40,000 square metre footprint and the city’s responsibility to address both the housing crisis and homelessness, stating: “We hebben als gemeente de verantwoordelijkheid om mensen een plek te bieden: een dak boven het hoofd en een warm bed” [2].

Amsterdam Project Casts Shadow Over Hague Plans

Demonstrators referenced the troubled Stek Oost project in Amsterdam as justification for their opposition, calling the Hague plan a “gevaarlijk sociaal experiment” (dangerous social experiment) [4][5]. The Amsterdam facility, which housed 250 status holders alongside students in a mixed living arrangement, experienced serious problems including theft, sexual offences, misogynistic behaviour, drug trafficking, fights, and sexual harassment [1][3][6]. In January 2026, investigative programme Zembla broadcast a report highlighting these incidents, including the case of a status holder convicted as a repeat sex offender who received a three-year prison sentence [6][7]. However, municipal spokesperson for Wethouder Vavier argued that the Hague situation differs fundamentally from Amsterdam, explaining that “studenten bij Stek Oost als buddy verantwoordelijk waren voor de statushouders en dat is in Den Haag niet het geval” [5][7].

Strict Separation Design Aims to Prevent Amsterdam Problems

The Hague facility will implement strict separation between different resident groups across five building sections, each with separate entrances and facilities [2][3]. Wethouder Vavier detailed the arrangement: “Het zijn vijf bouwdelen met verschillende ingangen. Jongeren krijgen zelfstandige woningen in het ene bouwdeel, dakloze gezinnen zitten in een ander bouwdeel. Iedereen krijgt dus een eigen bouwdeel, met een eigen ingang en eigen voorzieningen” [2]. Professional support, social management, and security will be provided for each building section, with approximately 30 staff members ensuring safety and organising daily activities around summer 2026 [3]. The municipality will maintain overall management responsibility, ensuring “signalen niet gemist worden en snel kunnen worden opgepakt” - a key difference from the Amsterdam model [4][7]. Around 200 local volunteers have already registered to assist with integration activities, language lessons, and job searches [1][3].

Bronnen

status holders housing protest