The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW) advised Education Minister Rianne Letschert to enshrine academic freedom in the Constitution and to strengthen the Higher Education and Scientific Research Act. It said academic freedom is insufficiently protected under Dutch law.

The KNAW also called on knowledge institutions to better protect scientists’ freedom of expression. It reported that political pressure and intimidation on social media have made scientists feel less free to speak, including on issues such as Gaza and climate change.