Freedom of speech – An invokable right?

Freedom of speech refers to the right to express one's opinion without fear of censorship or repercussions. When and why do courts in the Netherlands decide against it?

Dimitra Stefoudi and Arthur Menschaart • July 21, 2020

What's new in the 2018 amendment to China’s Constitution?

On 19 January 2018, a proposal was approved by the Chinese Communist Party Congress to amend China’s Constitution. This proposal is to be discussed at the 13th National People's Congress in March. What are the potential changes to China’s Constitution?

Fengan Jiang (Richard) • February 13, 2018

Preambles: 'Verfassungskitsch' or Part and Parcel of the Constitution?

There is a global trend towards including a preamble in new constitutions, but what actually is the point of constitutional preambles? Are they merely ornamental, or do they serve important functions?

Maarten Stremler and Valérie Verschoor • July 11, 2016 • 4 comments

Respecting the Rights of Mother Earth

While various problems threaten us these days, we might forget that the worldwide ecological issue remains. It is only by taking the Rights of Mother Earth seriously that this problem can be structurally solved.

Wim Bonis • October 14, 2015

The Constitution of the Netherlands at 200 – lessons learned for constitutional transitions today

Amazingly, the Constitution of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has endured for more than 200 years now. What can countries undergoing constitutional transition in the 21st century learn from this remarkable case?

Reijer Passchier • May 26, 2015

Guiding values in the Dutch Constitution

In the coming months the Dutch government will propose an introductory article in the Constitution. This enumerates three core values underlying the document. But where do we find the detailed provisions that put the values referred to into practice?

Michael Verhulst • April 24, 2015

Constitutional Housekeeping Chores

Recently, the Dutch government announced that it will soon submit two bills to amend the national constitution. On the face of it, the proposals seem to be pretty important. But they are arguably nothing more than ‘constitutional housekeeping chores’.

Reijer Passchier • September 27, 2014

The Constitution as window dressing

The Dutch government has proposed including the rule of law and the right to a fair trial in the Constitution. Recent policy proposals raise questions about the government’s commitment to these principles.

Gwen van Eijk • September 17, 2014 • 1 comment

Not a suicide pact: the transformation of Japan’s war-renouncing article 9

Last week the Japanese prime minister Abe announced a new defence policy. Part of his plans is a reinterpretation of the famous war-renouncing article 9 of the country’s constitution. The announcement has triggered a storm of protest in and outside Japan.

Reijer Passchier • July 07, 2014

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