Motorcycle club Hells Angels proscribed in the Netherlands

Organisation

The Public Prosecution Service lodged an application for the dissolution and proscription of the motorcycle organisation’s Dutch chapter. Before issuing a ruling, the court first had to determine whether the Hells Angels are an organisation. The court answered that question in the affirmative. For instance, the Hells Angels have ‘World Rules’ and ‘World Meetings’. The World Meetings have control over all matters concerning the Hells Angels and their charters. The World Meetings can reverse all decisions taken at a lower level. Breaching the rules can lead to a fine or expulsion. New rules or amendments to existing rules can be submitted at regional, national or global level. The organisation communicates to the public under the name Hells Angels in combination with a geographical designation. This is also reflected in the clothing, patches and websites.

Serious violence

The district court ruled that the Hells Angels organisation poses a threat to public policy. The Hells Angels regard themselves as a 1% club, a club of outlaws. It is a club in which a culture of lawlessness prevails and government authority is excluded. There are various patches that are awarded to members who perpetrate violence (including serious violence). Funds are also available for members who are imprisoned or prosecuted. The Hells Angels promote themselves as the biggest, most powerful motorcycle club. They believe that other clubs should listen to them, resulting in long-lasting conflicts. Throughout the world this has been accompanied by a series of serious incidents, such as a fire in a café in Kerkrade which endangered human lives and a mass fighting and shooting incident at a hotel in Rotterdam. The picture presented by these incidents is one of serious violence perpetrated by and against the Hells Angels.

Necessary

The violence is structural and arises from the prevailing culture within the motorcycle club. The district court therefore believes that the proscription order is necessary to protect society. The Hells Angels are, as individual members, part of an organisation that is contrary to public policy. As a result of the proscription order, they can no longer hold this capacity in the Netherlands. It is up to the Public Prosecution Department to decide what action is needed.