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discrimination

English-language coverage of discrimination news from the Netherlands.

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Dutch Human Rights Institute Rules Sauna's Burkini Ban Discriminatory

The Netherlands Institute for Human Rights ruled that a sauna's ban on burkinis is discriminatory on grounds of religion and gender. The Zwaluwhoeve sauna in Hierden removed a Muslim woman in June 2025, but the institute found no hygiene justification. The ruling is non-binding but carries weight – over 80% of such findings lead to policy changes.

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