Discrimination of ethnic minorities by the police is an unfortunate reality in the Netherlands. The Civic Integration Examination, which often has to be made abroad, turns out unfairly against some migrants.

These are only some of the conclusions that the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) published on August 27, 2015, about racism in the Netherlands. Their final analysis was straightforward: The Dutch government must take more action in the fight against racism and discrimination.

Labor discrimination

In order to grapple with ethnic profiling, CERD recommends the Dutch government to gather information systematically about the use of police powers. In addition, police and the Public Prosecution Service must receive compulsory training about human rights and anti-discrimination, and should strive to become a better reflection of the ethnically diverse Dutch society.

Also, the government must follow a policy, specific and efficient, against discrimination of ethnic minorities in the labor market. This policy should especially focus on preventing discrimination and in improving the chances of these groups by means of, for example, training. Businesses must be punished adequately when they discriminate.

In view of the Civic Integration Examination abroad, CERD urges government to allow migrants to take this exam in the Netherlands, so the right to family reunification may be guaranteed.

Vulnerable groups

The present generic government anti-discrimination policy (which stresses migrants’ own responsibility and in which there is hardly any room for specific ethnic groups having problems) does not suffice.

Government and local counsels must implement strategies protecting these groups. Citizens and civil society actors must be stimulated to report on discrimination and be consulted structurally over anti-discrimination policy.

The committee expressed concern about specific groups. It indicated, for example, that there should be plenty of caravan camps for caravan dwellers, so their cultural identity may be protected. The committee noted that the unconditional protection of asylum seekers and (undocumented) migrants is a point for considerable concern.

Black Pete

Regarding Black Pete, the committee decided that the Dutch government should do more to grapple with the stereotypic elements related to slavery. CERD calls for initiating awareness campaigns and strengthening education concerning Dutch colonial history and slavery, as well as racial discrimination of people from the African diaspora.

The observations and recommendations the committee has made to the Dutch government are for a large part identical to the ones NJCM adduced in the joint NGO parallel report and during the session from last August 17-19.

The CERD report can be downloaded here, and the NJCM parallel report is available here.