The Netherlands is a parliamentary democracy with a strong record of safeguarding political rights and civil liberties. Nevertheless, people with a migrant background experience harassment and discrimination. Asylum policies are a source of controversy, contributing to political and societal polarization. Corruption, prison conditions, and asylum policies are of concern on the six Caribbean islands for which the Netherlands government has varying degrees of responsibility.

• In July, more than 200 days after the November 2023 parliamentary elections, cross-party negotiations produced a new governing coalition comprising the far-right Freedom Party (PVV), the center-right People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy (VVD) and New Social Contract (NSC), and the populist Farmers Citizens Movement (BBB). The four groups chose Dick Schoof, a senior civil servant with no party affiliation, as the new prime minister.
• In October, faced with parliamentary opposition, the new government withdrew its plans to declare an “asylum emergency” that would have allowed it to exercise emergency decree powers on the issue. However, it introduced legislative proposals that would tighten asylum procedures and reduce asylum seekers’ eligibility for residence permits and family reunification, among other changes, and these remained under consideration at year’s end. The government also refused to enforce and sought to repeal a law that had been adopted in January, requiring municipalities across the country to accept asylum seekers and relieve pressure on overburdened reception centers.
• In November, a number of Israelis visiting Amsterdam to attend a soccer match engaged in anti-Palestinian hooliganism, prompting retaliatory violence against Israeli soccer fans. Several of the perpetrators had been charged and convicted by December, and more were under investigation. The government’s response focused on combating the broader problem of antisemitism, but some cabinet officials’ remarks about residents of Muslim background reportedly stoked divisions within the coalition, and one NSC state secretary who was born in Morocco resigned.
• Debates about disruptive protest tactics and excessive police responses continued during the year. After Amsterdam’s mayor imposed a temporary ban on demonstrations following the violence involving Israeli soccer fans, pro-Palestinian demonstrators who turned out in defiance of the restriction were allegedly met with police violence including baton strikes, and an investigation was announced. Separately, human rights activists criticized recent police practices such as advanced video surveillance at protests and the reporting of parents to child-protection agencies for attending certain protests with their children, and journalists reported experiencing more incidents of intimidation and assault while attempting to cover protest events.

This report has been abridged for Freedom in the World 2025 due to ongoing budget constraints. Freedom in the World is entirely funded by nongovernmental sources such as private foundations, corporations, and individuals like you. Please consider making a donation to support future editions of this vital resource.

For additional background information, see last year’s full report.