Council of Europe Experts Declare that Minority Rights are Generally Well Respected in the Netherlands but Often Restricted to the Province of Friesland

28-08-2023

Sofía Medina Sánchez 

International Justice and Human Rights Researcher 

Global Human Rights Defence 

On the 24th of August, the Council of Europe’s Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities issued its latest opinion on the Netherlands. According to the opinion’s main findings, the Council of Europe’s national minorities Convention should be applied to other minority groups including Roma, Sinti, Woonwagenbewoners (Dutch Travellers) and Papiamentu-speakers. Additionally, the environment of tolerance and acceptance is under pressure. 

The Advisory Committee appreciates the substantial investments made in the Fryslân (Friesland) province by both the central government and provincial administration. Particularly noteworthy are the investments in education, language, and culture. However, the committee observes a prevailing scarcity of teachers in the Netherlands, which significantly impacts the Frisian language. Furthermore, the limited accessibility of Frisian language rights across all educational levels, including preschool and university, raises concerns.The committee also urges for a more systematic display of bilingual signage in the Fryslân (Friesland) province.

The omission of specific protection for Roma, Sinti, and Woonwagenbewoner communities under the Framework Convention is regrettable, given their experiences of ethnic profiling and discrimination in various aspects, such as housing.The decentralised housing policy has led to inconsistencies and unequal treatment regarding caravans and pitches. The committee has welcomed the government's intention to adopt a more unified and coordinated approach to this issue.

Despite some policy advancements against antigypsyism, the committee underscores the escalating incidents of xenophobia and racism, impacting also Muslim and Jewish communities. The proliferation of divisive and xenophobic narratives in mainstream politics and media without strong condemnation from higher authorities remains concerning. The committee recommends the explicit inclusion of “language,” “skin color,” and “ethnic origin” as grounds in the General Equal Treatment Act to better safeguard the Frisian minority and other communities against discrimination.

This Fourth Opinion by the Advisory Committee on the Netherlands, containing several immediate and future-action recommendations, will be reviewed by the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers. 

Sources and further reading: 

Council of Europe, Newsroom, Netherlands: Minority rights generally well respected for Frisian minority but could be extended to other communities, 24 August 2023 https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/minority-rights-in-the-netherlands-are-generally-well-respected-for-the-frisian-minority-but-could-be-extended-to-other-communities

Council of Europe Portal, Media Release, Ref. DC 180(2023), Minority rights in the Netherlands are generally well respected for the Frisian minority but could be extended to other communities, Strasbourg, 24.08.2023: https://rm.coe.int/fcnm-national-minorities-report-netherlands-en/1680ac58f4

Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (ETS No. 157), Entry into force 1st February 1998: https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/cets-number-/-abridged-title-known?module=treaty-detail&treatynum=157