Fourteen Muslim organizations in the Netherlands have filed a joint criminal complaint against far-right Freedom Party (PVV) leader Geert Wilders, accusing him of inciting hatred and discrimination against Muslims.
In a written statement, Muslim Rights Watch – one of the signatory groups – said the complaint accuses Wilders of “insulting a group, inciting hatred, discrimination and violence, and provoking hostility and social unrest.”
The filing follows a post Wilders shared on social media last week featuring an image that the groups say fuels anti-Muslim sentiment and discrimination. The image portrays Muslims as “dangerous and unwanted people,” showing the left half of a young, blonde woman to symbolize “good” and the right half of an angry, elderly, headscarf-wearing woman to symbolize “evil.”
The statement said Wilders’ intent was clearly to incite hatred and discrimination against Muslims, noting the imagery closely resembles Nazi propaganda used during World War II to depict Jews as “inhuman, threatening and unwanted.” The groups emphasized that Muslims are an inseparable part of Dutch society.
According to local media, the complaint was filed on behalf of the 14 organizations by Turkish lawyer Adem Çatbaş and lawyer Harun Raza.
