Dutch human rights body warns criticizing government is becoming harder

BRUSSELS

It is becoming increasingly difficult to be critical of the government in the Netherlands, the Dutch Institute for Human Rights (CRM) warned Monday.

According to public broadcaster NOS, the independent rights monitor said civil society organizations face growing obstacles due to restrictive legislation, cuts to development aid and hostile political rhetoric.

CRM pointed to the Transparency and Combating Undermining by Civil Society Organizations Act, which gives mayors and prosecutors wide discretionary powers.

"Creating these broad discretionary powers for mayors creates the risk of arbitrary, discriminatory, and politically driven decisions," the group said.

The institute also criticized politicians' "stigmatizing language," saying groups are discredited when protesters are labeled "vandals, anarchists or terrorists."

"We're not saying the Netherlands is already Hungary. We should stay far away from that. But the signs are there: laws restricting demonstrations, reducing funding for civil society organizations, and politicians who speak disparagingly about those organizations," CRM Chair Rick Lawson said.

Civil society groups echoed the concerns. Peace organization Pax said funding cuts and a ban on NGOs using state aid for lobbying undermine their role as a countervailing force.

Its director, Rolien Sasse, noted that an employee falsely accused of Hamas links faced threats, adding: The atmosphere is such that expressing a certain opinion can be intimidating."