Dutch transgenders are only allowed to change their identity papers to the other sex if they have undergone hormone treatment, sterilisation and an operation, which conflicts with human rights laws, according to a new report by Human Rights Watch, the Volkskrant reports on Tuesday.

Although the Netherlands was the first country in Europe to give rights to transgenders 25 years ago, the Dutch position has now been overtaken by many other countries, the report, compiled by former D66 MP Boris Dittrich says.
The Netherlands has between 10,000 and 30,000 people who feel they should be a different sex.
Not all transgenders wish to undergo serious operations but Dutch law says without this they may not change their name.
Dittrich says written statements from doctors and psychologists should be sufficient to allow transgenders to change sex on official documents.
The report will be presented to junior justice minister Fred Teeven on Thursday.