International Religious Freedom Report, 2012: The Netherlands

摘要

The constitution and other laws and policies protect religious freedom and, in practice, the government generally respected religious freedom. The trend in the governments respect for religious freedom did not change significantly during the year. The government consistently condemned societal anti-Semitism and anti- Muslim discrimination and prosecuted some public expressions of religious hatred. The government encouraged individuals to report religious discrimination. There were reports of societal abuses and discrimination based on religious affiliation, belief, or practice. Prominent societal leaders, however, took positive steps to promote religious freedom. Members of the Jewish community faced several instances of violence, as well as verbal abuse and Internet-based anti- Semitism. There were also incidents of intimidation, vandalism, and verbal abuse directed against the Muslim community. The embassy reached out to minority religious groups, including Muslims and Jews, and to youth, academics, and women, highlighting the need for religious freedom, tolerance, and interfaith understanding.