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 |
---|---|---|---|
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 2015 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"). Where multiple biases are registered in an offence, each of them is reported individually in the breakdown below.
Hate crime recorded by police
KEY OBSERVATION
INCIDENTS REPORTED BY CIVIL SOCIETY
Incidents reported by civil society, international organizations and the Holy See
INTERNATIONAL REPORTS
Racist and xenophobic hate crime
In its "Concluding observations on the combined nineteenth to twenty-first periodic reports of the Netherlands", the United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) recommended introducing racist motivation as an aggravating circumstance in criminal legislation. CERD also suggested that national authorities consider simplifying the legal requirements to punish hate crimes.
Following its mission to the Netherlands, the United Nations Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent encouraged the adoption of legislation that imposes higher penalties for hate crimes and expressed concern that hate crimes are under-reported and under-prosecuted. It also recommended that the scope of data collected on hate crimes should be expanded, including by offering more victim surveys.