the United Nations has earlier in a report that critically responded to the children’s festival. What exactly is in the report of the Kinderombudsman and the united nations?
Kinderombudsman Margrite Kalverboer has the figure of Zwarte Piet investigated after complaints to her had entered. The complainants find that Zwarte Piet is a caricature and a breeding ground for discrimination and racism. In addition, the complainants, is the figure by children as hurtful experience.
Kalverboer concludes that the Sinterklaas with Zwarte Piet in his current form can contribute to bullying, exclusion and discrimination. This is the figure, with a number of typical characteristics and behaviors of Zwarte Piet as a negative stereotype of people with a dark skin color, in violation of the International Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Article 2 of the convention states that children hear growing up in an environment that is safe, respectful and free from discrimination. Articles 3 and 6 carry on that adults have an important responsibility to ensure a safe and respectful environment to ensure. That is not the case now.
In 60 seconds: The origins of Zwarte Piet
Bondage
A part of the children experience throughout the year by discrimination, which is around Sinterklaas worse and worse. A number of children, associate Zwarte Piet with slavery. “Santa claus is sitting on the horse, and is always higher” and “Zwarte Piet has the parcel from the time of slavery,” say they are against the Ombudsman.
most of The interviewed children think that the gold earrings, frizzy hair and the red lips should disappear. Colored pieten, pieten with black streaks in the face or a piet less black, according to the children are good alternatives.
Kalverboer also noticed that many of the children that the way parents and adults the discussion plays a major role. “Children have to be bothered by the discussion, such as that which parents will be conducted,” writes the Ombudsvrouw. “Different children, the thoughts of parents to understand, but find that their child is not in need to track. They find it ridiculous that adults are there to quarrel about.”
Customization
That leads to the Kinderombudsvrouw to the conclusion that Zwarte Piet “such [should be] adapted to colored children, no adverse effects, the more experienced and that every child is safe and feels good at the festival of st. nicholas.”
Kalverboer says: "By Zwarte Piet to get rid of discriminatory and stereotyperende features can there of him a figure to be created that does justice to the pleasure that so many enjoy the Sinterklaastraditie and at the same time in accordance with the rights of all children in the Netherlands."
The Ombudsvrouw encourages parents, schools, private and public youth organisations and institutions, and on youth-oriented media to ensure for a st nicholas party with children of all skin colors can be celebrated.
United Nations
A working group of the United Nations that racism and discrimination, and examine, came in August 2015, also with a critique on the figure Zwarte Piet.
The commission understands that the tradition of Sinterklaas with Zwarte Piet by a large part of the Dutch society is appreciated, but simultaneously observes that the figure of Zwarte Piet in some cases, a negative stereotype of people of African descent is that according to people of African descent recalls the slavery, the commission.
Here annually to be confronted is harmful for the dignity and self-esteem of both adults and children of African descent, sets the commission.
Violence and harassment
Also, there are concerns in the commission that citizens in non-violent protest against Zwarte Piet in the form that as offensive is experienced be hindered. They receive from the authorities the permission to at an appropriate time and meaningful place to contribute. In addition, the protesters do not sufficiently protected against violence and harassment.
These incidents are inadequately investigated. At the beginning of October this year, the court ruled that the police too hard and had to take action against anti-Zwarte Piet protester Jerry Afriyie. He was in 2011 already wrongly arrested during the arrival of Sinterklaas.
The commission recommends the government to strengthen enforcement against people who demonstrations thwart and to proceed to prosecution where necessary, to the freedom of expression and the right to demonstration and also for the opponents of Zwarte Piet to guarantee.
Task for cabinet
The commission concludes that a deep-rooted cultural tradition of this form of discrimination and stereotyping is not justified. They recommend the government in order to actively engage in the discriminatory and negative stereotyperende elements of Zwarte Piet to eliminate.
A modification of the appearance of Zwarte Piet belongs to the recommendations, as a way to ensure that the dignity and human rights of all inhabitants in the Netherlands to be respected.
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