A/HRC/41/44/Add.2 I. Introduction 1. The Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity, Obiora Chinedu Okafor, visited the Netherlands from 5 to 13 November 2018, at the invitation of its Government. 2. During his nine-day visit, the Independent Expert travelled to the seat of the Government, The Hague, as well as the capital city, Amsterdam. He also travelled to the island of Bonaire in the Dutch Caribbean. 3. In The Hague, the Independent Expert met with the Deputy Director and ViceMinister for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as other government officials and representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations and the Ministry of Justice and Security, as well as with representatives of civil society organizations and the Netherlands Institute of Human Rights, the national human rights institution. Unfortunately, a scheduled meeting with Members of Parliament from the governing and opposition parties was cancelled at the last minute by the organizers. In Amsterdam, the Independent Expert met with the municipal authorities and visited the Shelter City Project run by the Urgent Foundation with the support of the city of Amsterdam. He also met with civil society organizations. In Bonaire, he was honoured to meet the Governor of the island and also held meetings with the representative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Bonaire, as well as with the departments of immigration, tax authority and social services. He also met with local government and civil society organizations and visited the Krusada Foundation. He would like to warmly thank all those who took the time to meet and exchange views with him. 4. The main objectives of the Independent Expert’s visit to the Netherlands was to learn about the nature and scope of development cooperation and other solidarity activities in the Netherlands; to engage in dialogue with the Government, civil society and development agencies on their efforts to implement solidarity (including cooperation) at the national level; and to identify practical solutions and good practices in international solidarity conductive to the realization of human rights, including economic, social and cultural rights and civil and political rights, in the Netherlands. 5. With a view to the possible global dissemination of any observed good practices, the Independent Expert was also particularly interested to learn about how the principle of solidarity is applied at the national level, in particular with regards to redistribution of wealth through taxation and social and economic welfare programmes and how the Netherlands addresses the challenges of climate change and water management, crossborder migration and international cooperation in this regard, as well as solidarity between the European and the Caribbean parts of the country. 6. Finally, the Independent Expert was keen to learn about the interrelation between Dutch non-State actors, including civil society organizations and private businesses, and their role in promoting international solidarity. II. Applicable constitutional and human rights framework 7. The Netherlands is a parliamentary democracy. The Government consists of the King, the Prime Minister and the ministers. The Constitution (Grondwet) provides that the ministers, and not the monarch, are responsible for the acts of the Government. Chapter 1 of the Constitution guarantees the rights of all persons in the Netherlands. These “fundamental rights” relate to human rights. They include freedom from discrimination, freedom of religion and expression and the right to privacy. Social rights, such as the rights to housing and health care, are also laid down in the Constitution. The Constitution further provides that no Government may remain in power against the will of the parliament. 3