The human rights situation in the Netherlands has deteriorated over the past five years. This is concluded by 23 human rights organizations in a report to the United Nations.
The elderly and persons with disability are excluded, police discriminate on a systematic basis, vulnerable refugees are mistreated and the privacy of Dutch citizens is under pressure.
The report of 23 human rights organizations serves as a preparation for an evaluation of the national state of human rights, the so-called Universal Period Review, which all member states undergo at the United Nations Human Rights Council. In spring 2017, it will be the Netherlands' turn for the third time. The government will submit its own rapport.
The Netherlands remains a beautiful country to live, but for some, the financial crisis, further globalization and fear for Muslims and radicalization have far-reaching effects. Fundamental rights and freedoms are affected and there are tensions between different communities.
Exporting human rights
It is painful to watch the minister for foreign affairs educate other countries on human rights, while human rights are not even part of the mandatory curriculum for Dutch children. This exemplifies the attitude of the Dutch government, which mainly regards human rights as an export product: the national action plan regarding human rights of the government is also called a "no-action plan."
In the report, titled Bringing Human Rights Home, 32 concrete recommendations are made to the government to address the current issues.
Read more about the Universal Periodic Review here and here.
The report was compiled by the Netherlands Committee of Jurists for Human Rights (NJCM) and Kompass, in collaboration with: Controle Alt Delete, Cordaid, Defence for Children/ECPAT Netherlands, Vluchtelingenwerk, Network UN Women's Treaty, Ieder(in), Internet Society Netherlands, Justice and Peace Netherlands, LVTD, Platform Mensenrechteneducatie, FIAN, FNV, Free Press Unlimited, Netherlands Helsinki Committee, New Urban Collective, RADAR/Artikel 1, Stichting Landelijk Ongedocumenteerden Steunpunt (LOS), Stichting Overlegorgaan Caribische Nederlanders (OCAN), TIYE International, UNICEF Netherlands en de Vereniging Asieladvocaten & Juristen Nederland (VAJN).
