Based on Article 1 of the Constitution, various laws guaranteeing equal treatment apply in continental Netherlands. Until now, these laws did not apply in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. With the new law, this difference is eliminated: legislation that provides protection against discrimination will soon apply to all of the Netherlands.
Previous research indicated that equal treatment legislation is important for the residents of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. Now that the law has been adopted, residents will soon be able to invoke the law if they feel discriminated against, for example, due to their origin, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. They will have access to an anti-discrimination facility (ADV), which will be integrated into the office for free legal assistance that is being prepared on each island. There, people knowledgeable about the law will register reports from citizens about experienced discrimination, provide a listening ear, and together with the reporter determine the possible next steps.
The Netherlands Institute for Human Rights will also receive a new adjudicative role under this legislation in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. This means that citizens can submit a request to the Institute to assess whether their situation involves discrimination.
Minister Rijkaart of the Interior and Kingdom Relations: "With this law, all residents of our country receive the same protection against discrimination. And not just on paper, because thanks to the offices being opened, people on the islands will receive immediate help and support. This is important: no one should be excluded or treated unequally."
The official entry into force of the law is intended for January 1, 2026.
For more information about the legislation, see the accompanying parliamentary documents.
