The AOHR-NE Condemns Excessive Use of Force by Police Against Migrants and Asylum Seekers in the Netherlands and Calls for Stronger Oversight of Law Enforcement Agencies

The Hague, 06^th June 2026

The AOHR-NE Condemns Excessive Use of Force by Police Against Migrants and Asylum Seekers in the Netherlands and Calls for Stronger Oversight of Law Enforcement Agencies

The Netherlands,

The Arab Organization for Human Rights in Northern Europe (AOHR-NE) expresses its deep concern regarding the growing number of reports alleging the excessive use of force by police and law enforcement authorities against migrants and asylum seekers in the Netherlands.

Through various channels and eyewitness testimonies, the organization has received reports of recurring incidents involving the excessive or disproportionate use of force by police officers. The most recent reported incidents include:

• An incident at an asylum seekers’ center in Zeist, where reports indicate that a pregnant woman fell and was dragged on the ground without justification by police officers during an intervention (May 2026).
• Another incident reported in Utrecht, where a police officer allegedly assaulted a young woman wearing a hijab without apparent justification (January 2026).

The AOHR-NE is concerned by the repeated reports of such troubling incidents, which are occurring against a backdrop of increasing political and media polarization characterized by discriminatory rhetoric targeting migrants and asylum seekers of Arab and Muslim backgrounds. If allowed to continue, such developments risk exacerbating feelings of insecurity and discrimination, while further undermining the confidence of migrant communities in public institutions.

The AOHR-NE believes that any potential violations committed by law enforcement authorities must be subject to prompt and effective accountability mechanisms and addressed in a manner consistent with the Netherlands’ national and international obligations regarding human rights and the rule of law.

Accordingly, the AOHR-NE calls upon the Dutch authorities to:

1. Conduct independent, transparent, and impartial investigations into all reported incidents.
2. Strengthen oversight and accountability mechanisms governing police conduct in order to prevent abuses and ensure full compliance with legal and professional standards.
3. Provide enhanced training and awareness programs for law enforcement personnel on the proportional use of force, de-escalation techniques, engagement with vulnerable groups, and the prevention of discrimination and bias.
4. Engage in constructive dialogue with human rights organizations and the communities affected by these issues.
5. Ensure effective protection of the fundamental rights and freedoms of all individuals without discrimination, while paying particular attention to groups in vulnerable situations, in accordance with the European Convention on Human Rights and other relevant international human rights instruments.

The AOHR-NE reaffirms that respect for human dignity, the rule of law, and effective accountability constitutes the cornerstone of a safe, inclusive, and pluralistic society in which all individuals enjoy equal protection under the law.

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