As a general rule, defamation constitutes a criminal act under Title XVI (Defamation) Articles 261 upto 271 of the Dutch Penal Code. Moreover, it is a criminal act to insult the King, spouse of the King, his presumptive heirs or the Regent, and shall be punishable with imprisonment ranging from four to five years. (See Articles 111 and 112 of the Dutch Penal Code,).
Article 267 of the Dutch Penal Code on the other hand, provides protection from defamation against public authority, a public body or a public institution, an official in the legitimate exercise of his ministry, or the head or a member of the government of a friendly state.PREVIOUSBACK TO INT’L DEFAMATION DATABASE HOMENEXT