THE HAGUE - A long-awaited ban on so-called 'conversion therapy' in the Netherlands is on the verge of becoming law after a majority of the Eerste Kamer (the Dutch Senate) indicated their support during a debate on Tuesday, reports NOS. A final vote on the legislative proposal, initiated by the D66 and VVD parties, is scheduled for next week, marking the final step in a years-long campaign to outlaw the harmful practice.
If passed, the law will make it a criminal offense to perform acts aimed at changing or suppressing someone's sexual orientation or gender identity. The legislation specifically targets practices, including therapy and prayer healing, that are conducted under duress. Those found guilty could face significant fines or a prison sentence of up to two years.
A Refined Approach After Initial Concerns
The path to this point has not been straightforward. An earlier version of the bill faced criticism from the Council of State (Raad van State), which raised concerns about its enforceability and the potential for it to criminalize legitimate conversations about sexuality and identity by teachers, youth workers, or religious figures.
In response, the bill's sponsors amended the text to provide greater clarity. The law now specifies that only actions involving "insistent and systematic" pressure on an individual to change their identity are punishable. An occasional conversation with a pastor or counselor will not be considered a criminal act.
VVD Member of Parliament Ulysse Ellian, one of the bill's initiators, clarified the distinction: "Disapproving of something is not punishable, but insistently and systematically pressuring someone to change is." This crucial adjustment appears to have secured the necessary support from a majority of senators.
Broad Support and Lingering Dissent
The push for a ban has been a long-standing goal for parties including GroenLinks-PvdA, D66, VVD, SP, and the Partij voor de Dieren. Their efforts were bolstered by community advocacy, highlighted by a petition from COC Nederland with 8,000 signatures that was presented to senators before the debate.
COC Nederland estimates that around fifteen organizations, primarily within orthodox religious communities, actively offer conversion practices in the country. The United Nations Human Rights Commission has previously concluded that such practices cause "severe suffering" and can amount to torture.
Despite the broad support, the bill is not without its critics. The BBB party, which had previously supported the legislation in the lower house, withdrew its support in the Senate, citing the initial concerns from the Council of State. However, this shift was not enough to derail the bill's momentum.
The Dutch cabinet has also thrown its weight behind the proposal. Minister of Justice and Security, David van Weel (VVD), assured the Senate that the government supports the bill, is not overly concerned about its implementation, and that it aligns with the goals set out in the coalition agreement.
With a majority now established, the vote next week is expected to be a formality, finally outlawing a practice widely condemned as damaging and pseudoscientific.
