Call for stronger legal protection for academic freedom in the Netherlands

The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) stated that academic freedom is weakly protected in the country and called for constitutional guarantees and a strengthened legal framework. Prepared at the request of Minister of Education, Culture and Science Rianne Letschert, the reports emphasized that the space for free science is shrinking and researchers are being targeted.

The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) published two advisory reports on October 14, 2026, requesting that academic freedom be placed under constitutional protection, the legal framework be strengthened, and the Higher Education and Scientific Research Act (WHW) be reinforced. KNAW argued that academic freedom is now very weakly protected in the country, which has long been secure on this issue, and called for a national code of conduct that institutions can adapt to their own environments.

André Nollkaemper, Professor of Public International Law and Sustainability at the University of Amsterdam and Chair of the KNAW Committee on Freedom of Scientific Research, stated that European comparisons show the situation in the Netherlands has reached a highly concerning dimension. Nollkaemper expressed that some researchers face hate campaigns and that what might happen if political majorities change highlights the importance of academic freedom once again.

The two reports titled "Freedom of expression in academia: A core value of an open society" and "Freedom anchored in law: Towards stronger legal guarantees for academic freedom" were prepared by committees established by Minister of Education, Culture and Science Rianne Letschert to provide advice on legal guarantees and freedom of expression issues.