The Dutch politician suing the Dutch state for ethnic-profiling

Mpanzu Bamenga, a Dutch (black) academic and local politician, arrived in 2018 at the airport of his hometown Eindhoven after having lectured on human rights in Italy. He was selected at the airport by the Dutch border police for a passport check, because his appearance matched the risk profile of a so-called “Nigerian money smuggler”, a profile which had been defined by the border police. This risk profile contained ethnicity or perceived nationality as an element for the selection of travellers. The three elements were: walking fast, dressed in a suit, and a non-Dutch appearance. Although black citizens have been a part of Dutch society for the past 300 years, even the chair of the committee to which Bamenga submitted a complaint admitted that Bamenga “did not have a Dutch appearance”. Ethnic-profiling is dangerous for the kind of society we want to live in, where people are treated fairly and equally. It needs to stop. Bamenga, together with another individual and several NGOs, sued the Dutch state for ethnic profiling. The Dutch state, however, has argued that it is only ethnic profiling if a person is selected “solely or predominantly” based on ethnicity. The court hearing will take place on 15 June, and it will have implications for the EU.

Jelle Klaas in The Dutch politician suing the Dutch state for ethnic-profiling (Euobserver.com)