Netherlands

The Netherlands regularly report 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 under anti-discrimination criminal provisions. Police training curriculum includes periodic sessions on anti-discrimination, including bias-motivated crimes and prejudice. The Police Diversity Skills Network, together with the Public Prosecution Service, further supports, informs and advises police officers and prosecutors on addressing "discriminatory motives". The Expertise Centre for Tackling Discrimination (ECAD-P) serves to (i) train police officers to better recognize and deal with hate crime, (ii) act as a national information and knowledge hub for police, and (iii) ensure that police are trained to tackle discrimination and hate crime. In October 2021, the Netherlands appointed a National Coordinator against Discrimination and Racism to ensure a comprehensive approach to counter discrimination and hate crime by involving all relevant stakeholders, including civil society.

SELECT YEAR

OFFICIAL DATA

Year	Hate crimes recorded by police	Prosecuted	Sentenced
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 2012 Data

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

ODIHR observes that the Netherlands has not periodically reported the number of hate crimes recorded by police to ODIHR.

Incidents reported by civil society, international organizations and the Holy See

Reports

Racist and xenophobic hate crime

The Turks Forum-Netherlands reported one murder, one case of arson against a Turkish store and one physical assault against a disabled teenage girl wearing a headscarf.

Anti-Semitic hate crime

The Centre for Information and Documentation on Israel (CIDI) reported anti-Semitic incidents including four physical assaults, two threats, one case of damage to property and three cases of desecration to synagogues or cemeteries.

Anti-Muslim hate crime

The Turks Forum-Netherlands reported one case of desecration of a mosque and one case of arson against a mosque.

Anti-LGBTI hate crime

The Netherlands Transgender Network reported a case of threats and vandalism against a transgender couple. Swastikas were painted on their mailbox.

INTERNATIONAL REPORTS

Racist and xenophobic hate crime

The UN Human Rights Council, in its Universal Periodic Review, encouraged the Netherlands to develop a system of recording statistical data on hate crimes based on the most common types of offences, and of adequate training for law enforcement and legal professionals on the importance of recognizing bias motive as an aggravating circumstance.