The Advisory Commission on Human Rights in the Netherlands

• Published in: Netherlands quarterly of human rights 2009-09, Vol.27 (3), p.411-422
• Main Author: Baehr, Peter R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Councils; Foreign policy; Government executives; Grey literature; Human rights; International relations; Tribunals & commissions
• ISSN: 0924-0519; 2214-7357
• DOI: 10.1177/016934410902700307

The Netherlands Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Maxime Verhagen, in his public speeches, lays great emphasis on the role of human rights in Dutch foreign policy. In 2007, he submitted a paper to parliament on his human rights strategy. He, together with the Ministers for Development Cooperation and of Defence, receive at their request or unrequested, advisory reports from the Advisory Council on International Affairs (AIV). This body of private experts whose reports are made public, is rather unique in international relations. It is a rare phenomenon indeed that a government lets itself be publicly advised on aspects of its foreign policy by an independent body of outside experts, served by a permanent staff, financed by the government. Its reports on human rights are prepared by a permanent commission on human rights (Commissie Mensenrechten (CMR)) that consists of 15 members. The CMR, during the 12 years of its existence, has prepared 18 advisory reports and 5 advisory letters for the AIV. All of the AIV's reports are translated into English and occasionally into other languages as well. The ministers react publicly, in writing, to the reports of the Council. All reports and reactions thereto are available at: www.aiv-advies.org.