Article
Background
On September 22, 2021, a judge ruled that the Dutch border police, the Marechaussee, could use ethnicity as an objective indicator for border control checks. For Zeyneb, this was the starting point for thinking about an institutional dilemma, one with no one-sided solution. In response, Zeyneb developed the podcast series Framing, an audio documentary aimed at better understanding institutional racism. The series addresses issues like the impact of the colonial past, the court case against the military police for ethnic profiling, and solutions for institutional racism.
“For the first time, the Netherlands has a coalition agreement that recognises the existence of embedded forms of racism and discrimination.”
Approach & Methodology
Zeyneb’s podcast series Framing seeks to explore institutional racism through conversations and expert interviews. The first episode focuses on the legacy of colonialism, while the second covers ethnic profiling by the military police. In the latest episode, Zeyneb interviews Guido Terpstra, a policy advisor at the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights, discussing institutional solutions to address racism and discrimination.
Zeyneb emphasizes the deep historical roots of racism, explaining how colonial history shapes modern institutional behaviors. She argues that to understand institutional racism, we need to acknowledge both conscious and unconscious biases within systems and practices. This is vital for government officials, who must be aware of these biases to combat systemic exclusion and discrimination. AI also plays a significant role, with the potential to either entrench biases or offer transparency and fairness, depending on how it is implemented.
Next Steps
Now that the Dutch government has officially recognized institutional racism, steps must be taken to address it. In episode 3 of Framing, Zeyneb discusses potential institutional solutions, emphasizing the importance of historical awareness in shaping policy. The Netherlands Institute for Human Rights plays a crucial role in educating the public and ensuring that human rights remain a central focus in these efforts. Zeyneb draws on inspiration from Alison Fischer to highlight the need for a more inclusive and honest recognition of the country’s diverse origins, arguing that this richer understanding can drive more humane and effective solutions.
“We live in a democracy and that means that we, as citizens, have a self-correcting capacity when injustice occurs. This is my contribution.”
The audio documentary ‘Framing’ is now available on Spotify.
