Lese majeste in the Netherlands

The Dutch Ambassador has gone into print several times on lese majeste. His most recent piece “Dealing with lese majeste in Netherlands” is in the Bangkok Post (18 January 2010). He concludes by stating: “Criticism about the Dutch monarch or her heir-apparent that is considered ‘a contribution to the public debate’ enjoys protection under European and Dutch law, and Dutch courts have applied this criterion faithfully and judiciously ever since [1994], in the interest of freedom of expression in the country.”

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