Netherlands taking steps against racism, but can do more: Council of Europe

The Netherlands is taking steps against racism but can do more, as online hate speech and discrimination persist, according to the Sixth Monitoring Report on the Netherlands by the Council of Europe’s European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), released Tuesday.

Since the 2019 report, refugees no longer have to pay for language and integration courses, a measure ECRI called a positive step. The government has acknowledged its slavery past with formal recognition and apologies, and the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee stopped ethnic profiling in 2023.

Still, ECRI noted that hate speech against minority groups is rising across politics, media, football, and online platforms. “Political hate speech often remains without consequences,” the report said. People of African descent face daily inequalities and structural discrimination, while Muslims increasingly experience prejudice and bias.

Integration and housing challenges remain. Long waits for family reunification impede refugee inclusion, and living conditions in temporary reception centers are often substandard.

ECRI is part of the Council of Europe, which works to protect human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. While most EU countries are members, the Council of Europe operates independently of the EU.