This is evident from the annual report Discrimination Figures in 2024. The report was presented today to Minister David van Weel of Justice and Security and Minister Judith Uitermark of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations.

At Discrimination.nl, the national reporting point for anti-discrimination services, 14,796 reports were received last year, more than double the number from 2023. This includes 5,200 so-called mass reports concerning potentially discriminatory statements made by politicians, an opinion maker, and an employer. Researchers attribute the increase in the number of reports to the growing awareness of the reporting point Discrimination.nl.

Since only a small part of discrimination incidents are reported and registered, the discrimination figures do not provide insight into the total extent of discrimination in the Netherlands. Research from 2024 by the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) shows that one in ten people who experience discrimination report the incident somewhere. Only 3 percent of people who experience discrimination report it to the police, 1 percent to an anti-discrimination service.

Escalation

‘I find it difficult to interpret the real picture behind these figures,’ says Frank Smilda (sector head Groningen), who represents the Northern Netherlands Unit at the PVI component Approach Discrimination. ‘What we see is an increase in the number of reports and given the current escalation in society, but also in the way we interact with each other through politicians, I can well imagine that. If you see how things sometimes go in the House of Representatives, you should not be surprised if this is reflected in society.’

It may also indeed be that citizens are better finding their way to the reporting points and the police, Smilda suggests. ‘Making reports has been made easier through Discrimination.nl, which became one central point last year. People have probably also found it easier to find the police through that website.’

Police Approach

The police registered 9,613 incidents, 623 more than in 2023. The number of incidents registered by the police has shown an upward trend since 2018. Combating discrimination is part of police work. As the number of reports continues to rise, this requires even more attention and investment. Therefore, the police is expanding its Expertise Center Approach Discrimination Police, the so-called ECAD-P. With this expertise center, it continues to focus on meaningful resolutions for victims of discrimination.

‘The police does this in collaboration with anti-discrimination services and other chain partners,’ says Peter Holla, police chief of the Amsterdam Unit and portfolio holder of ECAD-P. ‘The ECAD-P has, together with all police units, an important role.’

‘It is quite possible that the activities of ECAD-P have contributed to the increased number of registrations,’ says Smilda. ‘It is important that you register well and meticulously. Discrimination investigators assist colleagues with the complexity of such reports. Because it can sometimes be quite challenging to determine whether a report involves an insult or a threat with a discriminatory character. We need to ask more questions, look at what is behind an incident. Open violence comes from somewhere. If the cause of that is discriminatory, then further investigation is needed.’

Most Reported Origin

The majority of registrations with the police (46 percent) and reports at Discrimination.nl (45 percent) concern discrimination based on origin. In 29 percent of registrations, it concerns sexual orientation and in 9 percent anti-Semitism. At Discrimination.nl, 22 percent of the reports concern grounds that are not legally protected. For example, think of reports about appearance, clothing, or vaccination choices. Gender is the third most reported ground for discrimination with 10 percent of the reports.

More Reports at All Agencies

Other agencies that register discrimination are also receiving more reports. Particularly at Meld.Online Discrimination, the increase is significant: the number of reports rises from 483 to 718, an increase of 49 percent. This may indicate a growing awareness of the online reporting point. At the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights, the number of requests for a ruling rises from 581 to 621. After a decline in 2023, the number of reports at the National Ombudsman also increases to 311. The number of reports at the Childrens Ombudsman remained the same, namely 19.

Report Criminal Discrimination in View 2024

Simultaneously with the discrimination figures in 2024, the Public Prosecution Service publishes the report Criminal Discrimination in View 2024. This report provides insight into the nature and extent of the discrimination facts registered with the Public Prosecution Service in 2024. Criminal Discrimination in View 2024 can be found on the website of the Public Prosecution Service.