Dutch legal expert: Protesters shouldn’t need permits
October 22, 2024
Renowned Dutch lawyer Jelle Klaas declared that protesters should not need to apply for permits before invoking their right to assemble anywhere in the Dutch Kingdom.
He was speaking at a thought-provoking lecture at University of St. Martin Monday evening following a grand defense of the right of residents to gather peacefully and demand social change from the government. Klaas, of the Dutch non-profit Public Interest Litigation Project (PILP), was arguing for the right of people on the island to protest the recent uptick in violence in the Middle East, efforts that were quashed multiple times in the last few moments. USM invited these experts to speak on campus and explain to residents their rights to protest and to engage in civil disobedience.
Klaas said that a protest leader’s responsibility was the “duty to notify,” whenever possible, to allow governments to help mitigate the potential civic fallout of protests related specifically to traffic obstructions, public health and the potential for disorder. However, these limitations, he said, should never be seen as government granting permission for two or more residents to gather in a public space and to argue a political cause.
During the lecture, leaders and members of local trade unions quizzed the veteran civic rights lawyer on the legal mechanisms that exist to protect their right to protest, the responsibilities of protesters to the wider public and the role of protest in an active democracy. The session, which Klaas called an intimate gathering for sharing thoughts and ideas, featured dozens of questions and comments from the guests, which included local educators, law enforcement officers, civil servants, medical professionals and others.
Alongside Klaas was Dr. Nawal Mustafa, also of PILP, a strategic legal advisor specializing in anti-racism, feminism, and postcolonial theory. Both speakers are at the forefront of strategic litigation in the Netherlands, having fought for the rights of activists, marginalized communities, and social movements.
Klaas has more than 20 years of experience in defending human rights and is one of the founders of PILP. His expertise in strategic litigation has earned PILP recognition as an influential force in the legal landscape of the Netherlands, with notable victories in cases related to ethnic profiling, the right to demonstrate, and digital privacy. Dr. Mustafa, a specialist in decolonial thought and anti-discrimination efforts, has brought her academic rigor and legal expertise to the fight against Islamophobia and racism. She holds a Ph.D. on the intersection of race, feminism, and decolonial theory and has been a driving force in legal strategies that challenge systemic discrimination.
USM President Dr. Antonio Carmona Baez praised the efforts of these legal experts in raising awareness of the public on the rights. “At USM, we believe that education extends beyond the classroom and into the realm of civic engagement,” said Dr. Carmona Baez, who has led the institution since 2018. “Understanding the rights and responsibilities of civil protest is essential for maintaining democratic freedoms and promoting social justice.”
PILP, founded in 2014 under the Dutch Lawyers Committee for Human Rights, has established itself as a champion of human rights in the Netherlands. A foundation since 2013, PILP is known for its strategic litigation efforts on behalf of NGOs, activists, and communities advocating for justice and equality.
To celebrate its 35th anniversary, USM has been hosting free public lectures this year on a diverse range of topics including the emergence of artificial intelligence and climate change. Monday’s lecture allowed attendees to engage with two prominent legal minds who helped them advance their knowledge on the basis for protest. USM’s next lecture is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 21, and will feature Prof. Wouter Veenendaal of Leiden University, who will be discussing the advancement of democracy in small islands, particularly in the Dutch Caribbean.
USM invites students, faculty, legal professionals, and the public to attend this free event. For more information, visit ww.usm.sx or find University of St. Martin on Facebook.
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Klaas said that a protest leader’s responsibility was the “duty to notify,” whenever possible, to allow governments to help mitigate the potential civic fallout of protests related specifically to traffic obstructions, public health and the potential for disorder. However, these limitations, he said, should never be seen as government granting permission for two or more residents to gather in a public space and to argue a political cause.
During the lecture, leaders and members of local trade unions quizzed the veteran civic rights lawyer on the legal mechanisms that exist to protect their right to protest, the responsibilities of protesters to the wider public and the role of protest in an active democracy. The session, which Klaas called an intimate gathering for sharing thoughts and ideas, featured dozens of questions and comments from the guests, which included local educators, law enforcement officers, civil servants, medical professionals and others.
Alongside Klaas was Dr. Nawal Mustafa, also of PILP, a strategic legal advisor specializing in anti-racism, feminism, and postcolonial theory. Both speakers are at the forefront of strategic litigation in the Netherlands, having fought for the rights of activists, marginalized communities, and social movements.
Klaas has more than 20 years of experience in defending human rights and is one of the founders of PILP. His expertise in strategic litigation has earned PILP recognition as an influential force in the legal landscape of the Netherlands, with notable victories in cases related to ethnic profiling, the right to demonstrate, and digital privacy. Dr. Mustafa, a specialist in decolonial thought and anti-discrimination efforts, has brought her academic rigor and legal expertise to the fight against Islamophobia and racism. She holds a Ph.D. on the intersection of race, feminism, and decolonial theory and has been a driving force in legal strategies that challenge systemic discrimination.
USM President Dr. Antonio Carmona Baez praised the efforts of these legal experts in raising awareness of the public on the rights. “At USM, we believe that education extends beyond the classroom and into the realm of civic engagement,” said Dr. Carmona Baez, who has led the institution since 2018. “Understanding the rights and responsibilities of civil protest is essential for maintaining democratic freedoms and promoting social justice.”
PILP, founded in 2014 under the Dutch Lawyers Committee for Human Rights, has established itself as a champion of human rights in the Netherlands. A foundation since 2013, PILP is known for its strategic litigation efforts on behalf of NGOs, activists, and communities advocating for justice and equality.
To celebrate its 35th anniversary, USM has been hosting free public lectures this year on a diverse range of topics including the emergence of artificial intelligence and climate change. Monday’s lecture allowed attendees to engage with two prominent legal minds who helped them advance their knowledge on the basis for protest. USM’s next lecture is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 21, and will feature Prof. Wouter Veenendaal of Leiden University, who will be discussing the advancement of democracy in small islands, particularly in the Dutch Caribbean.
USM invites students, faculty, legal professionals, and the public to attend this free event. For more information, visit ww.usm.sx or find University of St. Martin on Facebook.
Latest News →
