Henri Duiker, a Dutch father, won a landmark race discrimination ruling against Optisport Zoetermeer, the company operating the Watergeus pool in Zoetermeer, Netherlands. The case arose after his 12-year-old son was denied entry to a disco swim evening on 12 July 2024 because he did not have identification proving his age, while white children of the same age were allowed in without checks.
Incident at the pool
Duiker went to check on his son and his friend during their first unsupervised swim evening. He found his son standing alone at the desk, told he could not swim without ID. His son's friend, also 12 and of similar size, was not asked for documents. Duiker's partner observed for 10 minutes and noted that only children of colour were asked to prove their age. “She saw that every white child was simply allowed to walk through, and every black child, without exception, was asked for their passport,” Duiker said. Those without ID were turned away.
Legal victory and ruling
Last month, the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights ruled that Optisport Zoetermeer had used unlawful racial discrimination. The ruling is non-binding but can be used in court. Optisport initially dismissed Duiker's formal complaint, but after he contacted the national anti-discrimination helpline Discriminatie.nl, the case went to the institute. In a formal apology letter, the chief executive stated that the specific control measure applied on 12 July 2024 was abolished after that date.
Broader context of racism in the Netherlands
The incident has prompted a reckoning in Zoetermeer, with councillors from three parties asking formal questions. It is not isolated: last week the Dutch football association asked police to investigate online racist abuse towards World Cup players, and Prime Minister Rob Jetten admitted discrimination and racism were “still systematically present and deeply rooted” at a slavery abolition commemoration. In 2019, UN special rapporteur E Tendayi Achiume described the “Dutch paradox” where equality is valued but minority ethnic people are seen as “neither truly nor wholly Netherlanders.” In 2022, the finance minister admitted institutional racism played a role in a tax office fraud scandal that disproportionately affected dual-nationality families.
Duiker's perspective
Duiker, who has received hateful messages for speaking out, said the case highlights an uncomfortable reality. “People act as though the Netherlands is so tolerant,” he said. “Maybe it is … but it's pretty awful to show children of 10, 11 and 12 that they are not equal.” He added that people often dismiss such claims as “playing the racism card.” Duiker, who has Surinamese parents, said: “I am a Dutchman … but 53 years later I'm still a foreigner for some people. This is about my son and all of the other children who don't dare to fight.”
Official responses
Zoetermeer municipality stated: “We are very saddened to hear that a child has been treated unequally … We are an inclusive city where all residents, particularly children and young people, feel welcome, safe and are treated equally – and where there is no place for discrimination.” Optisport CEO Albert Arp said everyone should feel equally treated in the roughly 400 sports facilities the company runs in the Netherlands and Belgium. “We take the ruling … seriously,” he said. “In response, we have reviewed our procedures for access and age verification.” Duiker would have preferred the apology two years ago, before political and media attention.
