Movement Lawyering and the Struggle Against Discriminatory State Surveillance in the Netherlands
In connection with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, our colleague Nawal Mustafa has published an interesting and read-worthy blog article on Movement Lawyering on Human Rights Here.
Movement Lawyering
In her blog, Nawal explains that Movement Lawyering is rooted in critical legal theory and social movement activism. Movement lawyers combine legal strategies with a broad, interdisciplinary approach. Legal proceedings thus come together with grassroots movements, public awareness and media engagement.
In her blog, Nawal discusses how PILP applied Movement Lawyering in an important case: the secret surveillance by the municipality in the Al-Ansaar mosque in Delft. By using the movement lawyering approach, the affected community played a key role in forming a legal response. In this way, the voice and need of the community is prioritised.
Nawal concludes by noting: “In the Netherlands, cases like the unlawful surveillance of mosques demonstrate that racism is not just an issue that impact specific individuals but is often embedded in state policies and practices. Movement lawyering provides a pathway to dismantle these injustices by shifting power to those most affected and ensuring that legal action is not merely reactive but transformative. However, this work requires long-term engagement, sustainable resources, and a willingness to challenge both legal and societal norms that sustain inequality.”
Read the full article here on Human Rights Here.
