AMSTERDAM, May 21, 2005 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Europe’s main rights and democracy watchdog, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), expressed concern at increasing Dutch intolerance towards Muslims and the “climate of fear” under which the minority was living.

“Holland was reputed to be a country of tolerance where integration, as compared to other European countries, had been achieved acceptably. But recent events have shown there is a problem,” said Omur Orhun, OSCE Chair’s Personal Representative on Combating Intolerance and Discrimination against Muslims.

“Especially from representatives of some civil society organizations there were repeatedly feelings of fear expressed. Not claims of physical attacks or abuse, but a climate of fear,” Reuters quoted Orhun as telling a news conference Friday, May 20, ending a three-day visit to the Netherlands.

Orhun, who met Dutch politicians as well as Turkish, Moroccan and Surinamese migrant groups and human rights organizations, said the fact the government had invited him to visit the country showed it wanted to tackle the situation.

“There is a problem in Holland as far as tolerance and non-discrimination is concerned,” he said. “But the situation is not tragic and the problem can be solved with common sense and trying to build bridges.”

Home to almost one million Muslims or six percent of the population, the country’s reputation for tolerance and social harmony was shattered by the murder last November of filmmaker Theo van Gogh for his anti-Islam documentary and its violent aftermath.

A Dutch-Moroccan man was charged with the killing. Dozens of mosques, and Muslim schools were attacked in apparent retaliation.

Representatives of the Muslim minority in the Netherlands swiftly condemned the killing of the controversial filmmaker.

The xenophobia and extremism cancer further prompted Queen Beatrix to dedicate her annual address to the nation on December 25 to national unity and the importance of tolerance and moderation for the welfare of Dutch society.

A file photo of an attack on a mosque in the Netherlands.

Orhun further said tension was on the rise in many Western countries over Muslim immigrants and said he hoped to visit the United States, Germany, France and Britain soon.

“There is mistrust and stigmatization of Muslims and a growing fault line between the Muslim communities and the host societies,” said the Turkish diplomat.

Orhun recommended that Islam should not be politicized by countries that are home to Muslim immigrants or by the immigrants themselves, who must also do more to distance themselves from radicalism and condemn violence committed in Islam’s name.

Western governments could also do more to counter stigmatizing of Muslim youths, he said.

“The sense of being accepted would tend to decrease this radicalization. Equal opportunities would also create lesser possibilities, lesser chances of radicalization,” noted Orhun.

A recent report released by the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights (IHF) said that Muslim minorities across Europe have been experiencing growing distrust, hostility and discrimination since the 9/11 attacks.

In April, The United Nations Commission on Human Rights adopted a resolution calling for combating defamation campaigns against Islam and Muslims in the West.