The Public Prosecution Service (OM) registered more incidents of discrimination in 2024 than in 2023. Last year, there were a total of 683 discrimination incidents, compared to 535 in 2023. This is evident from the report Criminal Discrimination in Focus 2024 published by the OM today.
In Criminal Discrimination in Focus, the nature and extent of the discrimination incidents registered with the OM in 2024 are reported. The OM only addresses forms of discrimination that are punishable under the Penal Code. This includes two types of incidents: incidents specifically related to discrimination (specific discrimination incidents) and other incidents, such as assault, where a discrimination aspect is involved (also known as codis incidents: common incidents with a discrimination aspect).
Of the 683 discrimination incidents registered in 2024, there was a decrease in the number of specific discrimination incidents (160 incidents) and an increase in the number of codis incidents (523 incidents). The decrease compared to 2023 in the number of specific discrimination incidents can be explained by the unusually high number of incidents of that type registered in 2023 due to a targeted approach to discrimination in football. Most of the specific discrimination incidents were related to the offense of group defamation (Article 137c Sr; 111 incidents), while the other incidents often involved defamation of an individual (Article 266 Sr; 338 incidents).
Increase in Discrimination Ground Race
The OM registered an increase in the number of discrimination incidents based on the ground of race among the specific discrimination incidents and codis incidents combined in 2024. The term originates from the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (IVUR). Following this convention, the term race was also used by the legislator in the Penal Code. In 2024, 343 discrimination incidents were registered under this ground, compared to 223 incidents in 2023. Despite this increase, the percentage (39% of the total number of registered grounds) remains the same. The majority of incidents related to the subcategory black: 159 incidents.
Increase in Online Discrimination
Notably, in 2024, there was an increase in the number of incidents where internet was recorded as the place of occurrence. The OM also registered an increase in online discrimination among the specific discrimination incidents and codis incidents combined in 2024. It was striking that one-third of the suspects made their statements from an extreme right-wing ideology. Discrimination on the internet occurs, among other things, via digital communication services such as Telegram and WhatsApp. Many discriminatory statements are also spread through social media platforms such as X, Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram.
The figures in this report do not reflect how many discrimination incidents actually occurred in the Netherlands in 2024. Not everything that can be experienced as discrimination is punishable. Moreover, not everything that is punishable ends up with the OM, and not always is a report of discrimination made. It is also possible that after investigation no suspect is found or that there is insufficient evidence in a case. Or that the victim consciously chose not to file a report with the police, but only made a notification. These are some factors that can explain why the number of registered incidents at the OM is always lower than the registrations with the police.
Alongside the OMs report, the annual report Discrimination Figures in 2024 was also sent to the House of Representatives. This report provides insight into the extent of registered incidents and reports of discrimination with official agencies such as the police and anti-discrimination services.
National Expertise Center for Discrimination
The report Criminal Discrimination in Focus 2024 was prepared by the National Expertise Center for Discrimination (LECD) of the OM. This expertise center is responsible for carefully handling, processing, and resolving registered discrimination incidents at the OM. You can read the full report here.