Human Rights & Equal Treatment
Your story, your rights
General
Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. If you believe your human rights have been violated, Janus helps you understand your options, assess the available remedies and take practical steps to challenge the treatment you have experienced.
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We assist people who believe their human rights have been violated by a public authority, institution or other organisation. Our support includes assessing your situation, explaining the available legal options, preparing complaints and submissions, and communicating with the parties involved. Where specialist representation is needed, we help identify an appropriate referral or collaboration.
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We begin by reviewing your situation, relevant documents and any applicable deadlines. We then explain the available options, which may include correspondence, a formal complaint, negotiation or legal proceedings. The time frame and external costs depend on the procedure involved.
For complaints about public authorities, you will usually need to complain to the authority itself before approaching the National Ombudsman.
Janus provides legal advice, reviews documents, prepares complaints and formal correspondence, and assists with negotiations and selected proceedings. Where a matter falls outside our expertise, we arrange an appropriate referral or collaboration.
Discrimination
Unfair treatment can affect your opportunities, security and sense of belonging. Janus helps you assess potential discrimination, gather supporting evidence and pursue complaints or other appropriate steps towards equal treatment.
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We assist people facing discrimination in employment, housing, education and access to services. Our support includes assessing your situation, preparing complaints, communicating with the organisation concerned and assisting with proceedings before institutions such as the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights where available.
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Depending on your circumstances, we may raise the matter directly with the organisation, pursue a complaint or assist with a request for an opinion from the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights. The Institute’s procedure is free, but can involve substantial waiting times. Its opinion is not legally binding and cannot award compensation. In this case, court proceedings may be needed to pursue an enforceable remedy.
Disability Rights
Barriers should not prevent you from participating in everyday life. Janus assists with accessibility concerns, requests for adjustments and disability-related discrimination in employment, education, housing and services.
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We assist people with disabilities or chronic illnesses who encounter discrimination or barriers to participation. Our support includes preparing requests for reasonable adjustments, addressing accessibility concerns, communicating with employers, educational institutions and service providers, and pursuing appropriate complaints where adjustments are refused or treatment is discriminatory.
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Where appropriate, we first seek a practical solution through a written request or complaint. If the matter concerns unlawful discrimination, a complaint to the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights may be available. That procedure is free, although waiting times can be lengthy. The overall timeframe depends on the organisation’s response and whether further proceedings are necessary.
Your livelihood, your rights
Housing & Tenancy Rights
Disputes with your landlord can put your peace of mind and home at risk. Janus assists with rental contracts, deposits, service charges, maintenance and tenancy disputes through advice, correspondence and appropriate complaint procedures.
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We assist people experiencing difficulties accessing housing or resolving disputes with landlords. Our support includes reviewing rental agreements, addressing discrimination, preparing correspondence about deposits, maintenance, rent and service charges, and negotiating practical solutions. Where appropriate, we also assist with proceedings before the Huurcommissie or kantonrechter.
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We review your rental agreement, correspondence and relevant deadlines before identifying the appropriate route. This may involve a formal request to your landlord, negotiation, a Huurcommissie application or court proceedings. Tenants generally pay €25 to start a Huurcommissie case. The Huurcommissie aims to complete cases within four to six months, although some take longer. Different fees and timeframes apply to court proceedings.
Everyone deserves fair and respectful treatment at work. Janus assists with workplace discrimination, harassment connected to discrimination and requests for adjustments, helping you raise concerns and work towards an appropriate resolution.
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We assist workers and job applicants facing discrimination, discriminatory harassment or barriers related to disability or chronic illness. Our support includes reviewing relevant documents, gathering evidence, preparing workplace complaints and requests for adjustments, and communicating with employers to seek an appropriate resolution.
Where further proceedings are needed, we assess the available options and any specialist support required.
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We review the relevant documents and discuss the outcome you wish to achieve. In workplace discrimination and disability-related matters, we may begin with a complaint, a request for adjustments or communication with your employer. A complaint to the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights is free, but can involve substantial waiting times. Other employment disputes may require a different procedure, with separate costs and deadlines, which we assess before proceeding.
