Just three of the Netherlands 390 plus local councils have said they will distribute an Arabic translation of the Dutch constitution to asylum seekers and only two have placed the document on their websites, the Telegraaf says on Wednesday.

Home affairs minister Ronald Plasterk sent the translation to councils around the country last autumn as part of efforts to aid the integration of refugees into Dutch society.

However, so far the idea has been a flop, the paper says and most councils say distributing the constitution is not part of their job.

Experts said at the time that the Dutch constitution is difficult for the layman to understand, whatever the language, and that refugees would be better off with practical advice.