Summary

The Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, Ahmed Shaheed, visited the Netherlands from 27 March to 5 April 2019. The Special Rapporteur finds that the Netherlands possesses the requisite legal and policy framework for promoting and protecting the enjoyment by all persons of the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief. However, politically expedient responses to a diversifying society, together with the equation of secularism with neutrality, pose challenges to the substantial framework already in place to guarantee freedom of religion or belief to all, and highlight the concerns aired by religious communities, including Jewish and Muslim communities, about growing intolerance towards them. In his report, the Special Rapporteur notes that the Government appears to be quite cognizant and reflective about many of the concerns outlined in his report. The Government’s investments in programmes for monitoring, reporting and responding to developments that undermine the equal enjoyment of the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion or belief have been extensive and laudable. Initiatives aimed at addressing these concerns have not yet generated the desired comprehensive, systematic change within society, but efforts to strengthen the capacity of frontline actors, including the police, social workers, human rights defenders, lawyers, doctors and teachers, to foster environments where human rights principles can be promoted and respected, should continue to be supported.