On April 6, the Netherlands Committee of Jurists for Human Rights (NJCM) and the civil rights organization Kompass had the unique chance to give a speech at a UN venue full of diplomats to discuss a couple of human rights issues in the Netherlands.

About the UN human rights 'exam'

All member states of the UN report every five years about human rights issues in their respective countries. In the spring of 2017, it will be the Kingdom of the Netherlands' turn for the third time. During the review, known as a Universal Periodic Review, other UN member states can pose questions. The exam is not concluded with a final mark, but with a list of recommendations to the government to address the existing human rights issues. Member States are expected to take action and benefit from these recommendations.

To have a productive meeting in Geneva, the Netherlands provides extensive reports in advance. Moreover, the joint report of societal organisations (NGOs) in the Netherlands plays a substantial role. The NJCM and Kompass coordinated a report of 23 organizations. The report, called 'Bringing Human Rights Home', was sent to the UN in September last year.

Speech by Kompass and the NJCM

In his speech, René Rouwette, director van Kompass, highlighted a couple of points from the joint NGO report. Rouwette spoke about the importance of human rights education and the children's pardon, as well as the problem of ethnic profiling by the police, mass surveillance, discrimination against the elderly, women and ethnic minorities in the labour market.

"It is painful," stated Rouwette, "that the minister of foreign affairs advises human rights education to other countries, while human rights are still not part of the school curriculum for Dutch children."

It exemplifies the attitude of the Dutch government, which regards human rights predominantly as an export product. The National Action Plan for Human Rights of the Dutch government does not meet UN guidelines and is referred to by civil organizations as a "no-action plan."

The necessary consultation between the government and civil organizations is, according to Rouwette, "insufficient and not focused on substance."

'Speed dating' for human rights

In the afternoon, Franka Olujic, director of the NJCM, and René Rouwette participated in a "speed dating event." Diplomates could, based on their own needs, join by speaking about a subject of their choice.

Apart from NJCM and Kompass, the following organizations were present: the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights (organiser of the event), FNV (Dutch Federation of Trade Unions), Rutgers (international centre of expertise on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights), Muslims for Progressive Values, the Institute on Statelessness and Inclusion, Stand up for your Rights and the Groninger Bodem Beweging (organisation defending the interests of people who are affected by the consequences of the gas extraction in Groningen, Netherlands).