Dutch Parliament Votes in Favor of Hate Crime Law: A Victory for Equality

In a landmark decision, the Dutch House of Representatives (Tweede Kamer) voted overwhelmingly on December 19, 2024, to adopt a new hate crime law, marking a significant step forward in the fight against discrimination and violence. The legislation, spearheaded by Frans Timmermans of GroenLinks-PvdA and Mirjam Bikker of ChristenUnie, introduces tougher penalties for crimes motivated by hate, including those targeting individuals based on their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, or other protected characteristics.