Dutch government affirms right to endorse BDS movement

The Dutch government Thursday affirmed the right of individuals and groups to promote and engage with the anti-occupation Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement (BDS), stating the movement falls under basic rights that are safeguarded by the Dutch constitution.

When asked about Israel’s ongoing threats to human rights advocates and the concerted attack on the BDS movement, Dutch Foreign Affairs Minister Bert Koenders stated that “statements or meetings concerning BDS are protected by the freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, as enshrined in the Dutch Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights,” Middle East Monitor reported.

The foreign affairs minister added that the Dutch government commonly discusses the BDS movement with Israel, but has made clear that the Dutch government “opposes a boycott of Israel, but that endorsing BDS falls under freedom of expression.”

The Dutch government is the second European government to uphold the right of its citizens to participate and organize with the BDS movement, with Sweden announcing in March 2016 that governments should not be involved in controlling civil society movements.