Sunday, August 30, 2015

UN Committee against Racial Discrimination critical of Dutch “black Piet” tradition

The CERD, the committee of UN human rights experts is critical of the Netherlands.  It wants the Dutch state to take a strong position against incitement for political purposes.  It specifically expresses its worry about the way the Dutch tradition of “black Piet” is sometimes carried out.  The committee refers in particular to the way this figure is presented, which it considers a reflection of negative stereotypes of people from African origin.  Black Piet is the assistant of the holy Nicolas, a saint from Dutch folklore, whose national day is the 5th of December.


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