A United Nations human rights committee has started an investigation to see if the Netherlands is doing enough to promote the inclusion of the disabled in society, eight years after signing up to the UN treaty for the rights of disabled people

The investigation, which consists of several hearings, also covers reports on Belarus, Belgium, Benin, Burkina Faso, Denmark, Ghana, Mauritius, and Ukraine.

Disabled rights are anchored in the constitution and the UN treaty but, according to disabled organisation Iederin, which will be present at the hearings, the result of the investigation will show inclusion in the Netherlands still has a long way to go.

“There has been a systemic deterioration in all areas of life for disabled people, which will only get worse with government cutbacks,” Iederin said.

The Dutch government will be asked what it has done to make education, the work floor, and public spaces more accessible to people with disabilities.

The committee is also concerned about the differences in services provided by different local councils and the fact that the Dutch special provinces Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius have not been included in the UN treaty.

The government will also be asked about the complex rules and regulations in the Netherlands, which prevent disabled people from taking charge of their own life, and what action it plans to undertake to compensate disabled people whose income is depleted by extra costs.