A/HRC/21/15
15.
In relation to identity theft and data protection, Ms. Spies stated that the Netherlands
was currently working on a legislative proposal on data breach notification. The proposal
would require those responsible for personal data to notify the data protection authorities in
case of “leakage” of personal data with specific risks for privacy, including identity theft.
The initiative was expected to be tabled in the second half of 2012.
16.
Ms. Spies responded to the question on freedom of religion reporting that a bill on
the ban of ritual slaughter had been initialized by the Parliament. That bill was still pending
in Senate, and no majority was expected. Concerning the bill on face-covering garments,
the Government was of the opinion that the bill would indeed limit the freedom of religion
or belief; however, there were reasons for the bill in line with the limitation clauses of the
freedom of religion or belief, which was not an absolute right.
17.
In response to the remarks on the importance of facts and figures in the debate on
migration, Ms. Spies referred to the so-called Dutch Migration Chart, containing factual
analyses, useable in the public debate on migration.
18.
The Minister informed that the Government of the Netherlands had recently made
some progress on the issue of prostitution. Regulation and monitoring of that sector was
reasonably successful. A law proposition was currently under way, with the primary goals
being to reduce the local and regional disparities, get more insight into the escort sector and
further facilitate regulation and monitoring.
19.
Finally, concerning the question about the lessons learnt from the non-governmental
organization (NGO) consultations in the process of the preparations for UPR, Ms. Spies
emphasized the importance and relevance of the consultation process as such, and the
relevance of being in dialogue. The Netherlands had learned about the concerns expressed
by many NGOs regarding the human rights situation in the Netherlands, which had helped
the Netherlands to get a better understanding of their concerns and the focus of the
concerned NGOs. That had helped the Government in the drafting of its report. Ms. Spies
expressed the hope that NGOs and institutions were also fed by the platform offered by the
Netherlands and that she had the impression that was rightly the case.
B.
Interactive dialogue and responses by the State under review
20.
During the interactive dialogue, 49 delegations made statements. Recommendations
made during the dialogue are to be found in section II of the present report.
21.
Egypt noted the Dutch decision to establish a national human rights institution. It
expressed concern about the legalization of prostitution, the existence of child sex tourism,
rights of migrants and national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities, racism and
xenophobia from, among others, extreme political parties. It requested information on the
promotion of tolerance and non-discrimination. Egypt made recommendations.
22.
Estonia congratulated the Netherlands on the inclusion of civil society and other
stakeholders in the preparation of its UPR report. Estonia commended the creation of a
Children’s Ombudsman, the country’s policies on LGBT rights, the protection of privacy
and individual data and its role as a driver in the Internet freedom agenda. Estonia
encouraged the Netherlands to continue its combat on incitement against minority groups.
Estonia made recommendations.
23.
France welcomed the ratification by the Netherlands of the International Convention
for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearances (CPED) and OP-CAT. It
commended the establishment of a national human rights institution and the Children’s
Ombudsman, requesting information on mechanisms envisaged to align the Dutch Antilles
with these two initiatives. It noted concern over persistent discrimination of women,
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