The Dutch caretaker cabinet has decided to expand the country's laws on banning racism and discrimination to include a specific provision that criminalizes Holocaust denial and the denial of

other war crimes. Justice Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz stated that the legislation is being amended due to the alarming increase in the denial of such horrific crimes.

Yeşilgöz expressed concern about the resurfacing of anti-Semitism and emphasized the importance of not leaving such actions unanswered, as the Holocaust is not a mere historical lesson.

The amendment aligns with European Union legislation and will also explicitly cover whitewashing, downplaying, and denying acts of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. Individuals found guilty of these offenses could face a maximum sentence of one year in prison.

Earlier this year, a survey conducted by an American research group revealed that approximately 12% of Dutch adults believed the Holocaust to be a myth or significantly exaggerated the number of Jews killed, while an additional 9% were uncertain. Furthermore, 53% of respondents and 60% of those under 40 failed to recognize the Netherlands as a place where the Holocaust occurred, despite more than 70% of the country's Jewish population being deported to concentration camps. Shockingly, 27% of those surveyed were unaware that Anne Frank died in a concentration camp.

In response to the survey findings, Minister Yeşilgöz described them as "shocking and extremely serious." She emphasized the urgent need to address the issue and take swift action to combat Holocaust denial and educate the public about the historical facts. Photo by Mary-Grace Blaha Schexnayder, Wikimedia commons.