~Dutch legal expert: Protesters shouldn’t need permits~
PHILIPSBURG:--- 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 the University of St. Martin (USM) Monday evening following a grand defense of the right of residents to gather peacefully and demand social change from the government. Klaas, of the Amsterdam-based Public Interest Litigation Project (PILP), was arguing for the right of people on the island to protest the ongoing genocide in Palestine, efforts that were quashed twice by the previous government. 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” the authorities, 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 an impediment for two or more residents to gather in a public space and to argue a political cause. Rather, the role of government is to facilitate the right to exercise freedom of assembly.
During the lecture, leaders and members of local trade unions quizzed the civil 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, climate activists, 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 Carmona Baez, who has led the institution since 2018. “Understanding the rights and responsibilities of parties when it comes to demonstrations or protests is essential for maintaining democratic freedoms and promoting social justice. We are happy with the visit of Mr. Klaas and Dr. Mustafa to the island, and we are grateful for their willingness to engage with local activists, scholars, and civil servants. ”
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 of protest. USM’s next lecture is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 21. It 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 www. use.sx or find the University of St. Martin on Facebook.
