A/HRC/44/57/Add.2 37. Although numerous action plans and programmes show the Government’s commitment to improving the realization of human rights in the Netherlands, the Special Rapporteur regrets that they are not applicable in all four of its constituent countries. For instance, the National Action Plan on Human Rights applies only to the Netherlands, including the special municipalities of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba, but not to Aruba, Curaçao or Sint Maarten.16 Similarly, only the European Netherlands has a national human rights institute and anti-discrimination bureaux; individuals in the special municipalities and the other constituent countries are not able to submit complaints to these critical government bodies.17 During her visit, the Special Rapporteur learned of government measures in place to promote equal access to the two bodies for individuals in the Caribbean Netherlands and urges their effective implementation. Under international law, the Government is responsible for ensuring racial equality and non-discrimination throughout its territories. 38. Some interlocutors raised concerns about the lack of independence and the insufficient resources available to some anti-discrimination bureaux. More robust oversight and improved regional coordination remain necessary to combat discrimination effectively and to ensure that policy reforms yield positive effects on the ground.18 IV. Equality, racial discrimination, racism and intolerance: lived experiences A. Political representation 39 The highest levels of political office in the Netherlands do not reflect the State’s racial and ethnic diversity. Few parliamentarians belong to racial, ethnic or other minority groups, and the national Government itself – especially those sectors involved at the highest levels in policymaking to achieve racial equality – does not reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the population. 40. In consultations, the Special Rapporteur learned that few Roma participated in policymaking bodies. Furthermore, even Netherlanders of African descent whose ancestors helped to consolidate national prosperity reported facing persistent difficulties in entering political office and in rising up to policymaking positions within the civil service. According to one report, “no members of ethnic minorities were appointed Ministers in the period 1982–2008”. Historically, only 17 members of parliament with an African or other minority background have ever been members of the House of Representatives (the lower chamber of parliament). Seven of them were members of the Partij van de Arbeid.19 The 2017 general election appears to have been a further setback for racially equitable representation in government: the Partij van de Arbeid, GroenLinks and Democraten 66 – parties that regard diversity as an important part of their agenda – failed to secure seats for Afro-Netherlands politicians.20 Currently, not a single member of the Netherlands parliament is of African descent. 41. Racial and ethnic minority members serving on national and local legislative bodies have reported experiencing different treatment from their colleagues. These individuals face considerable opposition in pursuing reform to secure racial equality and non-discrimination. In addition, they have recounted enduring personal indignities as a result of the pervasive racist political discourse. Some have even reported threats and intimidation from the public, including death threats. 16 17 18 19 20 8 See www.government.nl/documents/policy-notes/2014/03/19/national-action-plan-onhuman-rights. Ibid. Ibid. See also the 2019 report of the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance on the Netherlands, p. 25. See www.volkskrant.nl/nieuws-achtergrond/nul-zwarte-politici-in-de-nieuwe-tweedekamer-hoe-pijnlijk-is-dat~bce21247/ (in Dutch). Ibid.