Netherlands
The Netherlands regularly reports hate crime data to ODIHR. Police and prosecution statistics are published annually. A victimization survey is conducted by the Central Bureau of Statistics every two years and the results are published here.
The Netherlands' Criminal Code contains no hate crime provisions, and hate crimes are addressed as "criminal offences with a discriminatory aspect". The Public Prosecution Service provides guidance on investigating and prosecuting such offences (Aanwijzing Discriminatie), including on prioritising discrimination offences.
In October 2021, the Netherlands appointed a National Coordinator against Discrimination and Racism to ensure a comprehensive approach to countering discrimination and hate crime, including with the involvement of civil society.
In May 2022, a new State Commission against Discrimination and Racism (State Commission) was tasked with conducting research into discrimination and racism, including hate crimes.
OFFICIAL DATA REPORTED BY STATES
| Year | Hate crimes recorded by police | Prosecuted | Sentenced |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3,301 | 97 | Not available |
| 2022 | 2,476 | 81 | Not available |
| 2021 | 2,417 | 485 | Not available |
| 2020 | 2133 | 409 | Not available |
| 2019 | 2016 | 343 | Not available |
| 2018 | 3299 | 312 | 91 |
| 2017 | 3499 | 331 | 79 |
| 2016 | 4376 | - | - |
| 2015 | 5288 | Not available | Not available |
| 2014 | 5721 | 133 | 87 |
| 2013 | 3614 | 83 | 89 |
| 2012 | 3292 | 114 | Not available |
| 2011 | 2802 | 169 | Not available |
| 2010 | 3538 | 170 | 90 |
| 2009 | 2212 | 160 | 135 |
About 2010 Data
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Figures reported to ODIHR and presented here include hate speech and discrimination offences (or “basic forms of discrimination”) as well as hate crimes (“common offences with a discriminatory motive”).
Hate crime recorded by police
KEY OBSERVATION
INCIDENTS REPORTED BY CIVIL SOCIETY
INTERNATIONAL REPORTS
Racist and xenophobic hate crime
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) noted its concern about the limited information and low numbers from Netherlands on prosecutions and convictions for ethnically/racially motivated offences.