The commission concluded that almost all researched programs for the upcoming elections for parliament propose measures that weaken the rule of law, according to the NOS.

Forty percent of the programs propose measures that directly conflict with the law. The commission has focused on the thirteen parties that currently have two seats in the Dutch parliament.

'Flexing measures'

Of the researched parties, five received so-called "red lights" of the Bar Association. A red light means that a policy proposal is directly conflicting with minimum requirements. According to the commission, this often concerns "flexing measures." These often respond to concerns over immigration and fear of terrorism and jihadism.

Relevant examples of measures that were decried by the association were: a prohibition to finance foreign mosques (CDA, Christian democrats); denaturalization of criminals with a double identity (VNL, classic liberals); not admitting immigrants from Islamic states (PVV, extremely right-wing); and making Dutch citizens stateless when they join a terrorist organization (VVD, liberals). The commission finds these proposals in conflict with human rights or clearly discriminating against certain societal groups.

The party with the most red lights for its election program is the extremely right-wing Party for Freedom (PVV) of Geert Wilders. However, the PVV is not the only one. Chairman of the commission Wouter Veraart says it is "frightning" that the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) is planning to abolish the direct effect of human rights from international treaties.

Green lights

The commission stresses that several parties score "green lights." These concern proposals that would strengthen the rule of law. Named in this regard are the ChristenUnie (christian democrats), D66 (liberal democrats), Denk (pro-immigration), Groenlinks (greens), PvdA (labour), Party for Animals and the SP (socialists).

Addtionally, the researchers mention that it is generally positive that political parties pay more attention in their programs to the value of the rule of law.