The State Commission against Discrimination and Racism said in its final report that Dutch government measures to combat discrimination and racism have been insufficient, allowing widespread discrimination to persist within public institutions and across Dutch society, including within the government itself, the body responsible for preventing it. The commission, which began work in 2022, said that the state, as legislator and guardian of the constitution, is expected to prevent discrimination, yet it continues to appear across multiple areas of governance and public services.

Chair Joyce Sylvester said discrimination and racism are “deeply embedded” in Dutch society and within government structures. According to the commission, discrimination is embedded in “laws, rules, systems, and working methods within policy and public services.”

The commission also warned that discriminatory remarks by politicians contribute to the normalization of such behavior across society. It has repeatedly emphasized that government action over the past years has been a central focus of its criticism.