Dutch definitions of discrimination include direct and indirect discrimination and public incitements to violence or hatred on the three grounds of race/ethnicity, religion/belief and nationality. However, discrimination by association has not yet been affirmed in case law of the Equal Treatment Commission and regular courts. Anti-discrimination law applies on all three grounds in employment, vocational training and access to public goods and services. On social advantages, protection and security, the law does not protect victims of discrimination on the grounds of religion/belief or nationality. The Netherlands is the only MIPEX country to attain best practice on how it enforces anti-discrimination law (see box). Slightly favourable equality policies empower the Specialised Equality Agency. But the state is obliged neither to lead dialogue on antidiscrimination nor mainstream equality policies in its functions.
