Wilders' acquittal poorly justified

The acquittal of Dutch right-wing populist politician Geert Wilders of charges of insulting and discriminating against Muslims as well as inciting hatred has triggered a debate in the country. The liberal daily NRC Handelsblad criticises the reasons stated by the Amsterdam judges for their ruling: "Is it right to conclude that as 'the social debate' gains in momentum the legal protection of minorities becomes proportionately less important? It should be the other way round. When minorities are increasingly being pushed into the background and have more and more reason to feel unsafe, threatened or excluded, the limits of what is permissible in social debate should be monitored all the more stringently. Naturally penal law is the most extreme measure, but even politicians should play by the rules."

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