discriminatiemeldingen in Den Haag blijven stijgen
Den Haag, woensdag, 15 april 2026.
Het aantal meldingen van discriminatie in Den Haag is in 2025 weer gestegen. De politie registreerde 1.460 incidenten, een stijging van 5 procent ten opzichte van het jaar ervoor. Landelijk gaat het om een grotere stijging van 12 procent. Discriminatie op basis van herkomst of huidskleur komt het meeste voor. Daarna volgt discriminatie op grond van seksuele geaardheid of genderidentiteit. Er is ook een sterke toename van meldingen over online discriminatie. In de fysieke publieke ruimte verdubbelt het aantal meldingen. Veel gevallen komen niet aan het licht. Slechts 3 procent van de mensen die discriminatie ervaren, meldt het bij de politie. Elk cijfer staat voor een echt verhaal.
continued increase in discrimination reports in the hague
The number of reported discrimination incidents in The Hague rose again in 2025. Police recorded 1,460 cases, up from 1,389 in 2024. This marks an increase of 5%, calculated as 5.112. While significant, this growth is lower than the national average rise of 12%. The data comes from the annual report ‘Discriminatiecijfers in 2025’, compiled by order of the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations and the Ministry of Justice and Security [1]. The police unit in The Hague confirmed the upward trend [2].
most common grounds for discrimination
Discrimination based on origin or skin color remains the most frequently reported ground in 2025. This form accounted for the largest share of registered incidents nationwide. The second most common ground was sexual orientation or gender identity, which also saw rising numbers. These findings align with previous years’ patterns. The full breakdown is documented in the official monitoring report published by Art.1 and Verwonderzoek [1][3]. Social organizations confirm that these categories continue to face disproportionate targeting [4].
sharp rise in online and public space incidents
Reports of online discrimination surged dramatically in 2025, increasing by 300% compared to 2024 according to Meld.Online Discriminatie [3]. Platforms like social media became hotspots for hate speech, often linked to political debates or societal events. Concurrently, physical public spaces saw a doubling of complaints. Examples include racist attacks against Asian students in East Brabant and identity challenges faced by a transgender person during a metro check in the Rotterdam area [4]. Both trends point to broader societal issues.
underreporting remains a major concern
Despite growing numbers, officials stress that reported cases represent only a fraction of actual experiences. According to a 2025 CBS study, one in ten people in the Netherlands faces discrimination annually [1]. Yet only 3% of those affected file a police report, while just 1% contact other official bodies [1]. This suggests widespread underreporting due to fear, lack of trust, or belief that nothing will change. Authorities urge victims and witnesses to come forward regardless [2]. Behind every statistic is a personal ordeal.
institutional responses and improvements
Institutional responses have strengthened across agencies. Front desk officers in The Hague underwent specialized training in 2025 to better handle discrimination reports and ensure appropriate follow-up [2]. Cooperation between police, the Public Prosecution Service (OM), and anti-discrimination services has deepened. On April 15, 2026, a new partnership agreement was signed between Discriminatie.nl and Meld.Online Discriminatie to improve digital reporting pathways [3]. These efforts aim to close gaps in protection and enforcement.